Memories of the Home Guard

During the war as I was considered to e in a reserved occupation I joined the LDV; the Local Defence Volunteers following the appeal from Anthony Eden, after Dunkirk.

One of my strongest recollections was the issue of equipment which was supplied not all at the same time but in this sort of order:

1. Trousers

2. Tunic

3. Cap

4. Belt (useful for holding up the trousers!)

5. Boots

6. Rifle and Tin hat (strange that these were last!)

Our assembly point was in Beverley Gardens, Cullercoats.

I recall one occasion during an air raid when I actually saw the bomb falling that destroyed the Church in John Street.

Sundays we marched to Seaton Sluice … memorable because we got to enjoy a drink afterwards in the Melton Constable!

John Thompson

c/o Age UK North Tyneside

© Copyright John Thompson

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WW2 People's War is an online archive of wartime memories contributed by members of the public and gathered by the BBC. The archive can be found at bbc.co.uk/ww2peopleswar