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My Life and Time by Ken Turnham
The majority of this document is an account of Ken's life written by Ken. After his death a family friend offers a summary of Ken's life.
JF Neilson's memoir
Growing Up -The Hard Way WAR -1939
He joined the Local Defence Volunteers at first then realised he did not want to become infantry. He did mount road blocks and fire watches. He applied to join the RAF and was accepted. Training was at Blackpool,…
He joined the Local Defence Volunteers at first then realised he did not want to become infantry. He did mount road blocks and fire watches. He applied to join the RAF and was accepted. Training was at Blackpool,…
Letter from Jack Darby to Jean
He thanks he for his birthday card. He describes his return trip to camp. The next day he had exams which he thinks he passed. They have had no luck getting a new wireless operator. They had a home guard training attack on the base. They had a couple…
Interview with Jan Albone
Jan was born on a farm in North Lincolnshire. She went to school in Brigg. She loved the farm, particularly the horses.
Their farm was close to RAF Kirton in Lindsey which was used as a rest home for men from the Battle of Britain. They worked on…
Their farm was close to RAF Kirton in Lindsey which was used as a rest home for men from the Battle of Britain. They worked on…
Me - William Roy Peter Perry DFC
Memoir starts by describing early life and education in Tunbridge Wells before moving to Cornwall. Writes about beginning of the war. Volunteered for aircrew in Plymouth (which had been bombed the day before) shortly after his 18th birthday.…
Interview with Gordon Mercier
Cyril Mercier was born in Jersey in 1925. He joined the Home Guard in 1940 and the RAF in 1943. After initial training, and training on gunnery at Bridgnorth he joined 14 Operational training Unit at Abingdon, where he crewed up. He trained on…
Bill Dammes
Bill Dames in uniform. On the reverse 'Dad Bill Dammes During War 1939-45 Home Guard Normanton'
Home Guard Edgcott
Ten men arranged in two rows. On the reverse 'Home Guard Edgcott U. Hall 1940's Tug of War Team'.
Edgcott Home Guard c 1940
A formal group of 34 men arranged in four rows. In the second image each man is named in a printed caption.
Award to Sergeant Stanley Bradford by home guard
Nine home guard men and an RAF flight sergeant standing in line. A home guard lieutenant is making a presentation to Stanley Bradford in the middle.
Peter and Penelope Jenkinson
Two photographs. Top a full length portrait of a man wearing greatcoat and side cap with a mural in the background. Includes to the side a badge 'BAC' annotated 'Bristol Aircraft Company'. Captioned 'Peter Jenkinson in the 13th Gloucester Home Guard…
Interview with Gladys Hatt
Gladys Hatt was working in Manchester as a teenager when it was bombed. She recalls her life was a sequence of work, shelter, work and there was no teenage life for her. She worked as a machinist sewing uniforms which was a big change from her…
Retirement of Lt-Col Sheppard
Four newspaper cuttings.
The first refers to Lt-Col Sheppard's retirement. He was in charge of the Southern Railway Home Guard.
The three other cuttings refer to three men who served in the same home guard unit.
The first refers to Lt-Col Sheppard's retirement. He was in charge of the Southern Railway Home Guard.
The three other cuttings refer to three men who served in the same home guard unit.
Terry and Arthur Ford
Terry and his father standing outside their house. Both are in Home Guard uniform.
Len Jones and an Atlantic convoy
Photo 1 is Sergeant Len Jones, Home Guard at Banwell in 1943.
Photos 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are ships forming up for a 1941 convoy from Boston. The photographer is Arthur's friend Cecil Reid.
Photos 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 are ships forming up for a 1941 convoy from Boston. The photographer is Arthur's friend Cecil Reid.
Interview with Owen Cox
Owen Cox went to a grammar school in York and joined the Home Guard when the war started. At 18 he joined the Royal Air Force, although his parents were not keen. His initial trade was ground wireless operator (Morse), waiting to attend a gunnery…
Immediate training for all men fit to fight
Main article - states all men it is possible to use in defence of Britain will be called up and trained immediately with or without uniforms or equipment. Other headlines: obey these orders in invasion, give |L.D.V more weapons. Children for Canada…
Two National Service Leaflets
Two leaflets, the first referring to members of the Home Guard and what they should do and the second instructions when attending a medical.
Tom Wharmby
Tom Wharmby was born at Walkden, North Manchester. Mentions hobbies, schooling at St Johns School, Bolton Commercial and Worsley Technical School, his wedding and an accounting job at Cooper and Cooper. Details his military career with the Home Guard…
Memoir by Arthur Hollis
Second page has colour photograph of Arthur Hollis, wearing blazer with medals, standing in a field at an event. Narrative covers early life in Hornchurch and Carshalton including schooling and hospital admissions. Writes of Dulwich College studies…
A Hollis Home Guard
Full length portrait of a corporal wearing battledress and a tin helmet. He has a gas mask holder on his chest and a rifle slung on his shoulder. In the background a two storey house with windows and part of door. On the reverse 'A H Home Guard'.
A Hollis Home Guard
Full length portrait of a man wearing battledress with corporal stripes, also with side cap and sword. In the background a house with windows and part of door. On the reverse 'A Hollis, Home Guard'.
Letter to David Donaldson from Norman
Written from school; wishes David happy birthday and congratulations on expecting a baby. Offers some banter about prospective child. Commiserates over David's health and writes about what Norman's plans and ambitions for service in the air force.…
Interview with Ernie Tillbrook
Ernest Hector Angelo Pedrazzini was the son of an Italian father and an English mother. After the war he changed his name to Tillbrook. Ernie’s father escaped from a prison camp during the First World War and finding his way to Russia and…
Interview with John Foster Thorp
John Thorp was born and raised in Manchester where he attended North Manchester Grammar School. At seventeen he joined the Home Guard. When he was eighteen he volunteered for the RAF with dreams of becoming a pilot. While waiting at Heaton Park to…