On Saturday, 13th June, five members of the group established a Home Guard camp outside The Sun public house in Whitchurch Hill, perfectly positioned between the rally site and the pub. Throughout the day we welcomed a steady stream of visitors, many of whom stopped to chat as they made their way to and from the main event.
Our camp was arranged to demonstrate a typical Home Guard sleeping area, complete with period equipment and personal kit. With temperatures climbing throughout the day, a large flysheet was pressed into service to create a shaded shelter, which proved to be one of the most appreciated pieces of equipment on display.
The camp itself featured several of our more eye-catching exhibits, including a Bren gun mounted in an anti-aircraft role, a Vickers machine-gun position and a Northover Projector. Just outside the camp perimeter was an unexploded bomb awaiting attention, which naturally generated plenty of interest and provided an excellent conversation starter for passing visitors.
Sunday saw a change of pace as the group formed a mobile patrol and spent the day within the main showground. This allowed us to meet visitors across the site, discuss the role of the wartime Home Guard and catch up with fellow living history groups representing a variety of different periods.
There was also time for a little inter-unit rivalry when members of the Long Range Desert Group challenged us to a Bren gun strip-and-reassemble competition. We are pleased to report that victory went, quite correctly, to the Home Guard.
The Stoke Row Steam Rally once again proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable event, offering plenty of opportunities to engage with the public, share the story of Britain’s wartime defenders and enjoy good company. A great fun weekend and another successful outing doing what the Redline Home Guard does best.
Before heading home, a number of members took the opportunity to visit the grave of Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Arthur “Bomber” Harris, which lies just outside Goring. Harris commanded RAF Bomber Command through some of its most challenging years and remains one of the most influential figures in the history of the Royal Air Force. It was a worthwhile stop and a chance to pay our respects to a man whose decisions helped shape the course of the air war.
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