Northfleet History Group - September 2013 Meeting.
THE REAL DAD’S ARMY
Our new season of talks opened on 3rd September, when Mike Brown entertained over 90 members and visitors with his account of the ‘Real Dad’s Army’, the story of the Local Defence Volunteers in world war II, who later became known as the Home Guard.
Mike explained how they were intended to be the first line of defence in the event of an invasion, calling up regular troops when invaders were spotted and then engaging in guerrilla warfare. He said there was no shortage of very enthusiastic volunteers among those who, for whatever reason, were unable to join the regular armed forces. He brought with him examples of the uniform (at first, nothing more than an armband) which was gradually issued to the Home Guard, and items of equipment starting with improvised pikes and sticks but eventually including surplus World War I rifles and bayonets sent over from the USA.
Although the talk was delivered in a somewhat light-hearted way, interspersed with comedy radio broadcasts by George Formby and Rob Wilton, Mike was at pains not to play down the role of the Home Guard, indeed, he paid tribute to the bravery and dedication to duty shown by these ‘civvy soldiers’ who were determined to ‘do their bit’ for the war effort.
This was a fascinating talk, which many of our older members were able to relate to on a personal level, and was very well received.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday 1st October in St Botolph’s church hall at 2pm, when popular local historian Christoph Bull will give an entertaining insight into the historic buildings and inhabitants of the village of Chalk, entitled ‘An Armchair Guide to Chalk Parish’, whilst very appropriately, on 5th November, Anne Carter will talk about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.
Mike explained how they were intended to be the first line of defence in the event of an invasion, calling up regular troops when invaders were spotted and then engaging in guerrilla warfare. He said there was no shortage of very enthusiastic volunteers among those who, for whatever reason, were unable to join the regular armed forces. He brought with him examples of the uniform (at first, nothing more than an armband) which was gradually issued to the Home Guard, and items of equipment starting with improvised pikes and sticks but eventually including surplus World War I rifles and bayonets sent over from the USA.
Although the talk was delivered in a somewhat light-hearted way, interspersed with comedy radio broadcasts by George Formby and Rob Wilton, Mike was at pains not to play down the role of the Home Guard, indeed, he paid tribute to the bravery and dedication to duty shown by these ‘civvy soldiers’ who were determined to ‘do their bit’ for the war effort.
This was a fascinating talk, which many of our older members were able to relate to on a personal level, and was very well received.
Our next meeting is on Tuesday 1st October in St Botolph’s church hall at 2pm, when popular local historian Christoph Bull will give an entertaining insight into the historic buildings and inhabitants of the village of Chalk, entitled ‘An Armchair Guide to Chalk Parish’, whilst very appropriately, on 5th November, Anne Carter will talk about Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.