Our final scheduled large event of the season saw the Redline Home Guard once again attend the Wallingford Back to the Forties weekend. The event provided another fantastic opportunity to set up our field office display and transport visitors back in time to the Home Guard’s vital role during the Second World War.
Bringing History to Life
Our field office display was once again the centrepiece of our setup, packed with authentic WWII-era equipment, weapons, and supplies used by the Home Guard during the war. Visitors had the chance to explore a variety of artefacts and learn about the men who stood ready to defend Britain on the Home Front. We also set up a Vickers Machine Gun emplacement on the Guard’s Van in the platform which proved very popular.
This year, our Spigot Mortar was on display, replacing the Northover Projector featured last year. Although it wasn’t fired during the weekend, it drew plenty of interest from visitors keen to understand how this unique anti-tank weapon worked. It was a great talking point and gave us another chance to showcase the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the Home Guard.
Patrolling the Trains
Once again, our members took on the role of wartime patrol officers aboard the heritage trains running between Wallingford and Cholsey. Passengers were asked to present their ID cards, and many joined in with good humour. These patrols proved just as popular as ever, adding an interactive and immersive touch to the weekend.
One of the highlights of the weekend was a parade and inspection by “Winston Churchill” himself. The Prime Minister reviewed the ranks, offering a few words of encouragement before continuing his tour of the site. It was a great moment for the public to see the Home Guard on formal parade, and it added a touch of theatre and authenticity to the day — exactly the kind of scene that might have taken place on the Home Front during the 1940s.
who joined us in the parade.
The heritage trains, the sounds of the whistle, and the sight of re-enactors on the platforms created a truly nostalgic experience. The public response was fantastic, with passengers commenting how our patrols made them feel like they’d genuinely stepped back to the 1940s.
Guard Duty at Cholsey Ticket Office
A new addition for 2025 was our presence at the Cholsey ticket office, which was open throughout the weekend as part of the railway’s wider event. Redline Home Guard members were stationed there, standing guard as trains arrived and changing the guard after each service. This proved to be a great spectacle for visitors and photographers alike, capturing the atmosphere of wartime travel and railway life.
The ticket office display helped to extend the 1940s experience beyond Wallingford Station and gave the public a glimpse into how local railways would have operated under the watchful eye of the Home Guard.
A Weekend of Wartime Spirit
The entire site was alive with activity – from swing music and dancing to hairdressers, classic vehicles, and even a full-size Hawker Hurricane on display in the yard. It was another brilliant weekend packed with history, fun, and community spirit. Events like these give us the chance not only to educate the public about the Home Guard’s crucial role during the war but also to connect with other re-enactors who share our passion for preserving this part of our local heritage.
As ever, one of the highlights of the show is the ‘Great Weston’ re-enactors train at the end of the show. This is a chance for all the re-enactors to let their hair down and have a good knees up once the general public have departed. Our thanks go to the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway team and all the volunteers who made the event possible. Each year the show grows stronger, and it’s an honour for Redline to play our part in bringing the 1940s back to life.
We’re already looking ahead to Back to the Forties 2026 – taking place on 3rd–4th October – which is shaping up to be a cracker! Until then, keep your rifles clean, your boots polished, and your ID cards ready for inspection!
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