IMG_20210729_0001 by David Ingleby posted Aug 2, 2021 at 3:56 PM I am enquiring for a cousin whose father is in the attached image, far left 2nd row from top. He is unable to find any information about the unit and I would be grateful if a forum member or members could enlighten us. Many thanks David Ingleby
Had a look and nothing readily found. In WW2 and till 1965 the transport role was the responsibility of the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC), in the transport function was hived off to the Royal Corps of Transport (RCT). See: Royal Army Service Corps - Wikipedia RASC units appear to have been company based, so a platoon would be difficult to identify. From browsing below link. There is a possible clue, even if in 1946, that Hereford was the home of a RASC Command Supply Depot. See: British Army units from 1945 on - Misc RASC Depots A difficult to read spreadsheet on railways suggests that the depot was linked, not surprisingly, to the rail network. So could the platoon be handling trains, not vehicles? See: Great Western Railway Photos - Trackbed.com
From the photo I get the impression they are Home Guard rather than Army troops - the leather belts and anklets are usually a strong sign, I'm not sure if some HG units were organised enough to include a transport platoon. The officer with the GS Cap/Beret seems to have an RASC badge so not sure if he is attached or advisor from the Army to the HG to help with transport - I can't quite see the badge the others are wearing Looks like cap badges are Herefordshire Regiment which would be correct for HG in the area
There was a WW2 RAF non-flying base at Credenhill, near Hereford; with a railway line connection. See: RAF Credenhill - Wikipedia There was an army barracks, Bradbury Lines, built in 1939; it was home for No. 1 Physical Development Centre c1944. From: 55 Section, No. 1 Physical Development Centre, Bradbury Lines, Hereford. c1944. | ParaData Later it was a Demobilization Centre. From: Demobilization Centre - Wednesday 17 October 1945 - Hansard - UK Parliament Post-WW2 Wiki says it was 'a former Royal Artillery boys' training unit'. This became known as Stirling Lines and the home of 22 SAS post-war. See: Stirling Lines - Wikipedia The 1939 date appears on the Google text for: EAW046839 ENGLAND (1952). The Hereford Sewage Works alongside the River Wye, Hereford, 1952 | Britain From Above
Order Sheets & Duty Details for the Hereford Home Guard 1943-44 are at the Herefordshire Archive and Records Centre. order sheets and duty details | The National Archives
Me too, although I was looking at the ages of the men. Many are way past their twenties while some have yet to reach them! This website, The Badsey Society, has an article about the 4th Worcestershire (Evesham) Battalion Home Guard. It shows that HQ Coy had various platoons including pioneer, defence, signals and transport
Try contacting the Hereford museum History lives here – Herefordshire Council Last year they were looking for info re the Home Guard Herefordshire's real Dad's Army: What do you know?
My sincere thanks to you all for your responses. My cousin lives in Hereford and I think he will be visiting the Archives & Record Centre and the Museum.
Yes, this is a Home Guard unit but with a couple of regular RASC liaison troops: such units were set up towards the end of the war to provide transport/movement for Home Guard units.
