I am currently researching my late father-in-law's Home Guard history for an article I am writing. He served as a Private in the 62nd Surrey (Norbury) Battalion from 1942 -1944. At some point he was transferred to Ack Ack guns (I have a card from General Pile thank him for his services dated 3rd December 1944). I would like to know (if possible) the following- at what point would Home Guard personnel be seconded to Ack Ack guns: what training did they do prior to going on the guns: where would they serve on the guns and finally; if he lived in Norbury South London; where would the guns be situated....? Hopefully, someone can help me please. Roger Brown.
Roger, Welcome aboard. Other should be along to help who have more knowledge and expertise. Meantime part of the answer comes from Wiki: Link: Home Guard (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia General Pile was AA Command's CO in WW2. See: Frederick Alfred Pile - Wikipedia At one, early point the Army manned a AA location: Norbury (ZS 15). I don't know if battery codenames remained a constant. See: Finsbury Park AA position The unit had a command post codename. See: https://www.home-guard.org.uk/hg/cty-surrey.html On a quick review no other mentions of Norbury, Middlesex / London appear here. There is an area which may have information on the Home Guard, you can search there: United Kingdom It appears there is no published account of the unit. See: The Home Guard of Great Britain: General Information - Unit Histories It appears they had one wartime casualty, Mr Duckworth. See: https://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/monuments-and-memorials/cwgc/surrey_home_guard.pdf
Roger, Home Guard were manning HAA guns from late 1941. They also manned Z Batteries. These were un-guided AA rockets. There was a HAA site in Norbury ZS 15. This is the most likely place he served. The map of London (Inner Artillery Zone) on my site shows where the HAA sites were - London (IAZ). Give me some time to go through my references and I will see what else I can dig up. Derek
There is a national map of heavy AA sites and if you alight on Croydon you will find ZS15 (Note, no spacing between). Alas the map does not zoom in. See: Map of Heavy Anti-Aircraft gun sites in England, Scotland and Wales This skeleton record gives a map reference and a very brief history: Heritage Gateway - Results
Thank you for your assistance! Can you tell me how long was the training for a Private in the H.G.before he went on the Ack Ack guns;where was the training done and what position on the 'guns he would have? The more I research my father-in-laws H.G. 'career' the more fascinating it becomes.... I believe he would have been awarded the Victory Medal also? Roger Brown
Some further reference to ZS15 in the attached image from 48th AA Brigade location statement of 22 12 41. (WO166-2292). It might be worth getting a copy of the brigade diary for 1943 (WO166-7405). Brigade (and regiment / battery diaries) make frequent references to training camps. My father did a stint at Weybourne with the Territorials pre war.
Not London but near Swindon - Two HAA sites one at Blunsdon (Stubb's Hill) and another at Eastrop near Highworth. Can you tell me what Units manned these sites. Any help appreciated - Thank you
Sorry Bala, no manning info for any of the Swindon GDA sites. I presume the sites you are loking for are No.1 Eastrop and No.8 Burytown - Swindon GDA map Derek
Hi Bala For Swindon I would guess you need 8th AA Division diaries for an overview of that area. Unfortunately I have no significant 'connection' with west of England so their diaries have not been on my radar. There is a brief reference to 8th AA Division 'Swindon' in a 5th AA Division diary that I do have so I'm pretty sure they would be the pace to start. Graham
A positive plethora of information; thank you... When my father-in-law was on duty at night would there have been any specific factories in the Norbury area that he would have been stationed at or, as a carpenter/joiner, were there factories in that area building aircraft where his skills would be at a premium?
