Redline at Gatehampton returned this weekend, with the Redline Home Guard once again taking up its wartime positions at the Gatehampton Pillbox and bringing a small section of Stop Line Red back to life for visitors walking the Thames Path and exploring the local area.
Blessed with warm sunshine throughout the day, we welcomed around 120–150 visitors, many of whom stopped to chat, look around the displays and learn more about the role these defensive positions played during the Second World War.
Eight members of the platoon were on duty, including our newest recruit, Pte Cotterill, who was attending his very first public event. Coincidentally, almost exactly one year has passed since Pte Smith attended his own first event at Gatehampton, making it a fitting milestone for the group.
This year’s display was our most ambitious at the pillbox to date. Inside the box, visitors found three Bren guns covering their assigned arcs of fire, while a fourth Bren gun stood outside on anti-aircraft duty, keeping watch on the skies above the Thames Valley.
Positioned beneath the railway viaduct was our Vickers Medium Machine Gun, illustrating the heavier firepower that would have supported the stop line in the event of an invasion.
Alongside it, we created a small Headquarters office, complete with field telephones, operational maps and a rifle rack, helping to demonstrate the command and communication side of Home Guard operations. The display gave visitors a better understanding that defending Britain relied not only on men with rifles, but also on the organisation, planning and communications that kept every position functioning.
As always, the conversations with visitors were one of the highlights of the day. Many were surprised to discover such a well-preserved pillbox hidden beside one of the country’s busiest walking routes, while others shared family stories of relatives who had served in the Home Guard or armed forces during the war.
A huge thank you goes to everyone who stopped by to support us and to all our members for another excellent turnout. Events like these continue to demonstrate just how much interest there is in preserving and sharing the history of Britain’s wartime defences.
To round off a successful day, the platoon retired to The Catherine Wheel in Goring for some well-earned refreshments. After several hours on duty in the summer heat, it was the perfect opportunity to relax, reflect on another enjoyable event and welcome Pte Cotterill after his first public outing with the group. Good company, good conversation and a well-deserved drink made for a fitting end to another successful day at Gatehampton.
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