Following the death in October of David Croft, co-creator of the much loved classic TV series Dad’s Army which was based on his own experiences as a member of the Home Guard, I was interested to find out how the Home Guard operated in Wiltshire.

Anthony Millard has written a wonderful report of the Langley Burrell Home Guard, based on the memories of a living member of the platoon, other village residents, newspapers and various printed sources. I have used his research as the basis of this article (Ref: The Real Dad’s Army: The Langley Burrell home Guard’ by Anthony Millard, 2009, unpublished, Ref: LAG.357).

Signposts from Chippenham and the surrounding area, collected by the Home Guard
c. 1940
Ref: F4/843/4

The War Minister Anthony Eden set up a “Home Defence Force” in May 1940. Within a week of the announcement, 250,000 had volunteered. They became Local Defence Volunteers but by July 1940 their new name had become ‘The Home Guard’…

The Home Guard Band, Redlynch

Ref: P34019
 

The Langley Burrell Platoon began operating from Langley Lodge before moving to a Nissen Hut in the cricket field (which had also been given over for crops). The present village hall stands on the original site of the hut. The Platoon, with 42 volunteers, later merged with Chippenham Without who had 14 members.

From 1942 the uniform consisted of steel helmets, a great coat, waterproof capes and boots. They were also issued with a Lea and Enfield 303 rifle. Returns from F. Company, 4th Battalion, 3 Platoon (Steeple Ashton) in December 1944 included 46 helmets, 20 water bottles, 35 leather belts, 10 rifle slugs leather, 9 rifle slugs webbed, 29 frogs (?!), 24 haversacks, 58 webbing shoulder straps, 65 webbing pouches, 28 back pieces, 30 A. G. ointments, 38 nets, plus various armbands.

Duties included shifts at the Observation Post in ‘Dunners’ field, adjacent to Jacksom’s Lane. In 1942 a bomb fell in the field – the spot is now a pond. Guard duties included manning the four pillboxes along the banks of the River Avon at Peckingill. The hours were 9pm to 11pm and 3.30am to 5.30am.

Letter from No. 2 Platoon, Trowbridge, asking for another road sentry box. The last one was a 'great boon'.
Ref: F4/550/10

A Stores Order Form for the Amesbury and Mere L.D.V, July 1940.
Ref: F/550/10

Patrols consisted of three men and included the road through the village in the evenings for security purposes. The platoon was also occasionally asked to man road blocks. William Herman, in his 70s, was responsible for identifying German aircraft. Private Payne, a farmer and church bell ringer, was responsible for ringing the church bells if the country was invaded. Tom Loud was made the company runner as he had a bicycle. He was under 18 when he joined the Home Guard.

Taken from a pamphlet 'More Pictures of the German Army', 1941. It was used to give all ranks an idea of the German soldier and his equipment.
Ref: 2099/22

Parades were held on Tuesday evening and Sunday mornings, when the arms drill was taken in the grounds of Langley Lodge. On a Sunday after the training, the platoon marched through the village, ending up at The Brewery Arms (now The Langley Tap)! Cyril Attwell used his family car to tow a Smith Gun and trailer during the Sunday parades.

Score Sheet for 'Britain's Home Guard', a marching song.

Ref: G19/996/3
 

Rifle skills were practiced in a field in Sutton Lane, opposite Grove Farm. The railway embankment was used as a ‘range butts’. Every six months the Langley Burrell Home Guard was taken by army lorry to a rifle range near Box to ‘develop their rifle skills’.

Field Service Pocket Book
Ref: 2099/22

The Home Guard took part in proficiency tests. If successful they were issued with badges and certificates. The tests included weapons proficiency, signalling, map reading, construction of fieldworks etc. The certificate could be used by those going on to join the Army, Navy or Air Force. More information can be found in our archives at ref: 2099/22.

Unfortunately, casualties did occur. Mr Birkett, a Home Guard in the West Wiltshire area was killed in a grenade explosion and Private Herbert Bone of the Langley Burrell Home Guard was killed in a road accident whilst cycling to a parade. It is reported by Anthony Millard that over 1,206 volunteers were killed nationally whilst on Home Guard service.

Conscription to the Home Guard was introduced in January 1942 for men in reserve occupations, aged 18-51. Numbers had fallen as more men had been called up for active military service.

Home Office Circular stating that no further enrolments will take place, 22nd September 1944
Ref: F5/530/28

The Home Guard was dissolved on the 4^th December, 1944. ‘As a gesture of goodwill Winston Churchill allowed all volunteers to keep their great coats, uniform and boots’. Each Battalion had a stand down parade. The Chippenham 1^st Battalion’s was at John Coles Park on the 3^rd December, 1944. It was attended by 1,400 Home Guard volunteers who then proceeded to march through the town. General Auchinleck G.O.C of the Southern Command was very proud of the contributions the Home Guard made. With their ‘expert local knowledge of tracks, roads and topography [they] would be able to defend their own local territory should the country be invaded’.

Those who had completed over 1,080 days service were eligible for the 1939-1945 Home Defence Medal, for which they had to apply.

The BBC TV series fondly poked fun at the Home Guard, but did the local populace at the time regard their contribution as an important one?

I would be interested to hear your views and/or memories on the subject…

An advertisement from the programme of the play 'Zero Hour' and a map from the Castle Combe War Book, showing the position of the village's Morrison Shelters. Each parish produced a war book, which could also include details of planned casualty services, decontamination, rest centres, billeting, emergency labour, and tools, sanitation and defence arrangements for vulnerable points within the area. The books are referenced F2/851/3.
Castle Combe War Book, Ref: F2/851/3/16

Programme for the play 'Zero Hour', performed by HQ Section B Co, 5th Batallion, Swindon. The purpose of the play was to illustrate the importance of  'effectively conducted intelligence during operations'. A newspaper report called it a 'first class comedy' and was 'one of outstanding ability'.
Ref: G19/996/3


 

A Home Guard Entertainment Committee's Statement of Accounts for a social evening and dance. F. Company, 4th Batallion, 3rd Platoon, Steeple Ashton.
Ref: 1329/6 
 

Incidentally, the Local Studies team are creating a spreadsheet for WWII sources at the History Centre which include the Home Guard, overseas troops, POWs etc. The aim is to help researchers locate original documents, photographs and sources more effectively.  

Julie Davis

Local Studies Assistant

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