Rushden Echo & Argus, 30^th May 1941, transcribed by Kay Collins

PresentationMr. C. K. Woods, boot manufacturer, was the recipient of a case, containing a fountain pen and table cigarette lighter, presented by the members of No. 2 Platoon of the Rushden Home Guard “A” Company upon his retirement from the position of Platoon Commander. Mr. Woods, who is still a member of the Home Guard, was one of the first to join in Rushden and was given command of No. 2 Platoon, which he formed. During the last war he served in Mesopotamia from 1915-19, being mentioned in dispatches.

All They Got Was Armlets
Capt. Allebone on Early Trials of Home Guard

In a talk on the Home Guard at Tuesday’s meeting of the Rushden Rotary Club, Rotarian Arthur Allebone, J.P., C.C., Captain of the Rushden “E” Company, paid tributes to the loyal work of the men during the winter, when they were very short of equipment.

When the call was first made for Local Defence Volunteers, he said, the Government expected that about half-a-million men would volunteer, but when the force was built up there were about a million and a half men. This large number were without equipment and almost without organisation all they got was armlets. When the name of the organisation was changed to “Home Guard” all these armbands were valueless.

At that time, in more vulnerable areas, farm workers laboured in the fields with old firearms and ammunition at hand. Then equipment began to dribble in uniform which was too thin to wear on its own and too thick to wear over other clothes, and small quantities of rifles.

Winter Problem

The men had to be kept interested throughout the winter, and it was for this reason that a number of classes were evolved. The old soldiers did a great deal to keep the interest of the younger ones going.

There were few now who could not give a very reasonable account of themselves; many had proved this by a shooting match which was held recently. Every man down to a lance-corporal was capable of handling a unit of men who would deal very effectively with parachutists.

During the winter courses many men were given new confidence when they addressed sections on what they had learned. Some of them had never spoken before, and they had learned something very useful for leadership. They were worthy of the uniform they were wearing and of the job they were doing.

The meeting was held at the “Green Dragon,” Higham Ferrers. Rotarian O. L. Ash proposed a vote of thanks, and the chair was taken by the president, Rotarian J. J. Page.

Still Doing His Bit
Rushden Home Guard a Burma Veteran

Rushden Home Guard B Company has as one of its volunteers seventy-five-year-old Mr. George Jolley, who has one of the best Service records in the country.

This portrait of Mr Jolley is taken from a group which shows him with veteran colleagues of his regiment.

He joined the Army “under age” when he was nineteen years old, and after training in Ireland went with the Devon Regt. to India, where he served about eight years, taking part in the Burma Campaign. He then left the Army and returned home, but when the Boer War broke out, being on the reserve, was called to help his country again. This was not enough for Mr. Jolley, however, and when that campaign was over he joined the Rushden Volunteers, predecessors to the Territorials. Our photograph shows him in the Volunteer uniform.

When the last war broke out Mr. Jolley was over age, but he put his military experience to good use by training the Home Defence Volunteers, and now he is on the headquarters staff of the Rushden Home Guard doing just a bit more for his country. He has three medals, among them the Burma Medal.

He went through all campaigns without being once wounded, although he says he has had many narrow escapes.

A native of Huntingdonshire, he came to Rushden after his period of regular service and was employed in the boot trade, working for Messrs. William Green and Son (Grenson), Ltd., until he retired six years ago. He has a wife and four children, among them a son who lost an arm in the last war.

Men Still Evading National Service
Lieut. Weale’s Criticism at Rushden
Home Guard Supper

There were still men in Rushden who were not facing up to the emergency, declared Lieut. A. F. Weale at a Home Guard supper in the Windmill Club. If they were going to win the war as he was sure they would they must have 100 per cent. enthusiasm.

“I shall not be satisfied,” Lieut. Weale added, “until I know that every man in this town who is capable of national service is doing it.”

The supper was for the 19th and 21st Platoons of “E” Company, and Lieut. A. H. Sargent presided.

In proposing “The Services” Flight-Lieut. A. H. Whitton, of the A.T.C., promised full co-operation between the junior airmen and the junior Home Guard section which is to be formed. The Army, he said, was giving a brilliant show in Libya.

Major Sir Rouse Boughton, who replied, said the Navy had had a nasty knock, but there was nothing like an angry British sailor, to say nothing of the Americans, and the Japs were going to know all about it. It was a great satisfaction to the men of the regular Army to know that when they were away they would leave behind them a well-equipped Home Guard.

County’s Best

The chairman proposed “The Commanding Officer,” and Lieut.-Col. V. H. Sykes, in reply, said he was hoping to produce the best battalion in the county one to which they would be proud to belong.

Proposing a toast to the 19th and 21st Platoons, Lieut. A. J. Sturgess recalled the time when not a man boasted a cap and when the only thing they had to defend themselves with was the armband they wore.

Lieut. H. Clayton proposed “The Visitors” and Lieut. W. Edwards responded. The chairman thanked the caterers, club and entertainers, and Mr. A. E. Haddon, president of the Windmill Club, spoke in acknowledgment.

The principal artistes, Mr. C. Bunning (vocalist) Mr. Tom White (concertina), and Mr. Archie Tear (conjuror), were assisted by members of the Home Guard. Sergt. F. Robinson acted as M.C., and the general arrangements were made by D.R. A. J. H. Shortland and a committee.

Rushden Home Guard Parade Maj.-Gen. Sir John Brown Takes Salute

Rushden was privileged on Saturday afternoon to see the first full parade of the 8th Northamptonshire Battalion, Home Guard. Full use was made of the occasion, the battalion carrying out a recruiting march in the presence of Lieut.-General Sir John Brown, who took the salute as the men swung by to the music of a military band.

The considerable strength of the battalion was apparent when the companies lined up at Spencer Park. Lt.-Col. V. H. Sykes was in command, with Capt. and Adjt. H. W. Attley second in command. A band in khaki led the way, a popular chaplain beating the big drum, and halfway down the column the combined Rushden Town and Rushden Temperance Bands, under Bandmasters M. J. Roberts and T. Young, reinforced the music, several of their members wearing Home Guard uniform.

A route of about 1½ miles was chosen, the approach stage taking in Washbrook-road, Wellingborough-road, Church-street and High-street. At the foot of Station-approach the military band detached itself and took up position at the saluting base, where Sir John Brown, wearing mufti, was accompanied by several officers of the Home Guard.

Christmas shopping crowds had turned aside to watch the parade, and many more people were near the railway bridge to see the salute given in very good style. The battalion marched on to Higham Ferrers to make a stir in the borough and receive… (words missing)… by several officers of the Home Guard including the local Commander (Col. P. Lester Reid) and the Zone Staff Officer (Major T. C. Shillito).

Maj.-Gen. Sir John Brown Taking the Salute from the Home Guard

Such a parade, with youngsters graduating for the modern Army marching among veterans of the last war, could not fail in its effect as a record of the times or in its appeal for universal action. It revealed less of the technique and equipment which in less than 18 months have brought the Home Guard into strong fighting order, but it displayed the spirit and discipline of the battalion in a manner which must have pleased all who watched or participated.

New Men for Home Guard - How They Joined Up at Rushden

Many men who have just signed along the dotted line are waiting to begin training in the Rushden Companies of the Home Guard. Though for various reasons they did not join in the days of voluntary service, they appear to have accepted their obligations quite cheerfully, and it is the intention of the Home Guard authorities to make them feel that there is no distinction of treatment between the old hands and the new.

An “Echo and Argus” representative was given the opportunity to see the reception of these recruits at the Rushden Drill Hall in Victoria-road. It was the fourth consecutive evening for enrolments on the new basis, and all the men reporting were between 32 and 37 years old. Passed on by the Ministry of Labour as being available for service, they had been given eight days’ notice either to present themselves or appeal on medical or other grounds. Their employers also had been notified.

Taking a Measure

Along one side of the large room were tables at which, with the assistance of Home Guard personnel, the arrivals filled up the official forms. At a top table the men were interviewed in pairs, and on the other side of the hall they were measured for uniforms, caps and boots. More than 20 officers, N.C.O.s and men staffed the establishment, and the whole business of reception was carried out quickly and well.

Busiest of all was the interviewing captain, with whom sat a lieutenant and a subaltern. The idea was to give the newcomers all necessary information about the unit they would join, the three compulsory parades each week, when to call for uniform and when the first parade would be to note their reactions, invite questions and deal with any points put forward.

Most of the men were of very good type physically and otherwise and gave the impression that they were already absorbing the military atmosphere. Many had neither question nor objection to raise, and when a case was put forward for an officer’s consideration it was usually in reference to long or awkward working hours.

Busy Workers

One man said he worked 64 hours a week; others for various reasons would find it difficult to parade at the hours which suited the majority. In such cases concessions were offered in the form of special times for parading.

A man who said he was liable to illness in winter weather was advised to mention his case at once if he felt any ill effects of his training. One spoke of his wife’s ill-health.

One refused to enrol, declaring that if there was any pay attached to it “it would be different.” This man was told firmly but politely that he need say no more. He will be referred back to the Ministry of Labour and may soon discover that he is in no position to please himself.

And so, taking the new step seriously but revealing an under-current of good humour by sundry mutual nods and winks, the file of men passed through. The officers were pleased. They had met some useful-looking men, and they believed they had given them the right sort of reception one which would be the first step to general goodwill.

Home Guard’s Anniversary
Rushden Sees Impressive March and Display
K.O. for “Tank”

Home Guards of the 8th N.N. Battalion brought the social side of the Rushden Area Wings for Victory Week to an inspiring conclusion on Saturday evening. Their march through Rushden and demonstration at the Hall Grounds was a deferred celebration of the Home Guard’s third anniversary and, like every other feature of the week’s programme, it captured the public imagination and response.

The B, E, and F Companies with stretcher-bearers, marching from Spencer Park, found that Rushden had taken an early tea in order to see them. The children had brought their flags out again, and almost the whole route was walled with people and brightened with colour. For the first time the battalion’s own band, supplied by G Company from the Wollaston district, appeared in the town to head the parade, which numbered 550 officers and men and earned general praise for smartness. Helmets were worn and emphasised what was proved in the subsequent display that the battalion is indeed in fighting trim.

“People’s Army”

Thousands of people closed in behind the men and swarmed into the park, which was cut into two by a rope barrier, giving the Home Guard an ideal stretch of partly wooded rising ground in which to operate, and the public a wide front from which to observe.

The principal officers in attendance were Col. Fulton, Training Officer No. 3 Sector, and Lieut-Col. V. H. Sykes, officer commanding the battalion, with Major Cameron as representative of the U.S.A.

Major A. D. Denton was in charge of the demonstration, and Capt. Ronald Fox, the Liaison Officer (who has since left to take up a commission in the R.A.O.C.), supplied a facile and up-to-the-moment commentary through the microphone.

Capt. Fox promptly welcomed the public on behalf of Lieut.-Col. Sykes and other officers, and congratulated the Rushden area on its Wings Week success. Referring to the Home Guard’s anniversary, he said he was sure he could offer the people’s congratulations to the officers and men.

“The Home Guard is your army,” he said. “It is a very cheap army to maintain its members are not paid; but quite a lot of money is spent on uniforms, ammunition and equipment.”

Varied Equipment

A few flashes by the Home Guard during the third anniversary celebration of the well-trained 8th N.N. Battalion at Rushden Hall last Saturday.

A battle platoon (about 30 strong) opened with elementary arms drill and cracked off a few rounds of rifle fire in close formation a form of anti-aircraft action which has already been used by Home Guards in this country.

The second part of the display introduced the Home Guard weapons, and the public, though now familiar with the noises these produce, must have been surprised at the variety of the equipment. There were exercises with the Lewis light machine gun, the Browning heavy machine gun (which is brought into action in about 17 seconds), the Sten gun (which fired live ammunition, the range being short), and with Mills and anti-tank bombs fired from rifles.

A Heavy Mortar

Then came the “gas-pipe” projectors breech-loading mortars which spat self-igniting phosphorus bombs over the turf. The spigot mortar, heaviest artillery of the Home Guard, and weighing 360 lb., fired practice bombs with reduced charges and to the crowd’s delight knocked out a distant target in the shape of a tank whose swastika emblem must have inspired the gunners to give of their best.

Hand bombs of the “sticky” type were used with equally convincing effect, and the display concluded amid noise and smoke with a tactical exercise in which a battle platoon, using natural cover and smoke screens, outflanked an “enemy” strong point.

A spontaneous round of applause rewarded the Home Guard at the close. Arms and ammunition were afterwards inspected by the public.