Redline Home Guard recently visited local Girl Guides, 1st Goring Heath, for an evening of Second World War history, giving the girls the opportunity to learn about Britain’s wartime defences and experience some of the equipment used by the Home Guard.
The evening began with a traditional flag break outside, with members of Redline Home Guard forming up before the Guides joined them for the ceremony.
Once inside, Redline delivered a presentation covering the role of the Home Guard, the network of defensive stop lines that were established across Britain in preparation for a possible invasion, and the important contribution made by Guides during the war years. The session highlighted how young people played their part on the Home Front, supporting their communities through a range of wartime activities.
The Guides then rotated around four themed activity stations, each offering a different glimpse into wartime life and equipment.
The first station explored the early days of the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), looking at how the Home Guard was formed in 1940 and the often limited equipment available to volunteers during the organisation’s early months.
At the communications station, the Guides learned about wartime radios and signalling equipment, discovering how messages were passed between units and how vital communication was to Britain’s defence plans.
A third station focused on bombs, mines and grenades, explaining the different types of explosive devices used during the war and the role they played in defending the country against invasion. The Guides were also able to examine examples of German ordnance dropped on Britain, including a 25kg bomb, an incendiary bomb and the notorious butterfly bomb, learning about the threats these weapons posed to both military targets and civilians on the Home Front.
The final station showcased a range of wartime weapons, including rifles, machine guns and the iconic Bren gun. Members of Redline explained how the various weapons operated and the role each would have played in the Home Guard’s defensive preparations.
One of the most popular activities of the evening was the opportunity for some target practice using a Nerf-style SMLE rifle. The friendly competition quickly became a crowd favourite, with plenty of laughter and enthusiastic participation from the Guides.
The evening generated lots of questions and discussion, with the Guides showing a keen interest in both the Home Guard and wider wartime history. Redline Home Guard would like to thank the Guide leaders and members for their warm welcome and enthusiasm throughout the session.
It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening for all involved and another opportunity to help keep the history and experiences of the wartime generation alive.
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