Hi All, I'm looking for some help / advice. One of my grandfathers worked in the North Tyneside docks during WW2 but in the back of my mind I can remember as a child seeing a scroll in my Nan's house which I'm now wondering if it was one of those ones thanking you for your service. We always thought my other Grandfather was in the RAF during the war but I've recently got his service records and discovered he joined up just after the war ended. I know he worked in engineering in Newcastle so we are guessing he was in a reserved occupation. What I'm wondering is if there is any way of tracing whether someone was in the Home Guard or worked as a fire watcher / ARP etc? Basically did any of my Grandparents work in a home front role and if so, what was it. Can anyone help? Thanks, Michael
Hi Michael, Unfortunately I cant guide you to a source, however I know by my family aural history that my Grand Father William "Bill" Bradley worked in "Walker Naval Yard" as a Riveter during WW2. When not at work he was an ARP Warden. See http://www.bpears.org.uk/NE-Diary/ as an article of interest about the Air Attacks on the North East of England. Regards, Mick D.
Hi Mick, Thanks for the link, I'm fairly sure my Grandfather was in Smith's Docks just a little further down the river. Bye for now, Michael
By and large, official ARP/HG service certificates did not come in the form a scroll, but more of a certificate. What you may have seen is one of these: a scrolled version of a dockyard war service certificate: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252393412134?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Hi Michael Have you thought about applying for their Home Guard Records?? - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records#how-to-apply-for-home-guard-service-records How to apply for Home Guard service records Information contained within the Home Guard records is very limited. With a few exceptions it normally consists of one double sided A4 sheet of paper (Army Form W3066) containing personal details on enlistment and very little else. No details are held of the duties performed by an individual during his service. As required for requests for the records of service of service personnel, there is also a non-refundable administration charge of £30 and it should be noted that a considerable proportion of searches for Home Guard records prove to be unsuccessful. The sparse information contained in the Home Guard records is normally provided in full. TD
Thanks very much for your help everyone. TD, I'm not certain either of them actually served in the home guard so applying for their records may be a waste until I can confirm it one way or the other. ARPCDHG, Thank you for the help but why did you have to show me that ???? I collect military badges and home front enamel ones are something I'm starting to get into. Now I've seen that I really want it, particularly because of the family connection but £60 is way more than I can afford to pay for one badge Thanks again for all of the advice, Michael
The most likely Home Front role played by both grandfathers was fire-watching, especially during the Blitz period.. Every employer was required to arrange a rota of employees to stay on the premises overnight to watch out for falling bombs and ensuing fires. They were equipped to take first action, and to call on the fire service and other emergency services as appropriate. Every residential street was required to arrange a similar rota of adults to watch out for bombs and fires and take early action in the same way. It is unlikely that any official local records of such activity remain, although there are often references in contemporary letters and later memoirs. Surviving local residents will have recollections of the roles their parents, especially fathers, played.
Durham County Home Guard records are here http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/durham-home-guard-records-1939-1945/ Why not try a PM to Peter Hastie (forum member) he is very knowledgeable about home guard issues? Kyle
Ooh your bad encouraging me to spend my money like that! I'd love to but I just can't spend that much money on one badge, the most I've ever spent on one is £30. I'll just have to keep watching eBay and the local markets and hope another one turns up.
