Report by Pte Hutt
The Redline Home Guard returned to the White Horse Military Show this past weekend for what has become one of the real highlights of the reenactment calendar.
The scale of the show is something quite special, with thousands of reenactors representing different eras of conflict, hundreds of military vehicles and some stunning set pieces originating from the television and film industry. Together, they create an incredible level of immersion across the showground.
Visitors can find everything from a fully equipped Western saloon to a First World War trench system, but our home for the weekend was firmly in the 1940s – Talbot Square.
The Home Guard had commandeered a suitably derelict house right in the heart of the town to serve as our Platoon Headquarters. From here, Redline was charged with helping to defend this fine corner of wartime Britain against the ever-present possibility of invasion.
Inside Platoon Headquarters
Stepping inside our headquarters, visitors found a number of different stations, each representing an important element in the organisation and defence of the town.
At the heart of operations was 2/Lt Chambers and his command post. Equipped with maps of the local area and details of our defensive strategy, this was where the important decisions would be made should the expected invasion finally materialise.
Alongside the command post was perhaps one of the most important elements of any effective defence – communications.
Pte Martin was in charge of an impressive collection of period communications equipment, demonstrating the various ways our headquarters could remain in contact with other defence groups operating throughout the area.
From the substantial No. 68 Manpack Transceiver to the considerably smaller Wireless Set No. 38, together with the humble field telephone, we had several methods available to ensure messages could get through.
And, should modern technology fail us entirely, we had one final option waiting patiently in reserve – a messenger pigeon, ready to take to the skies at a moment’s notice!
Completing the headquarters was our improvised munitions station, where preparations were under way for the manufacture of petrol bombs should enemy armour reach the town. Alongside it sat our small armoury, ensuring the platoon had the equipment required to put up a determined defence.
Redline on Parade
Seven members of the Redline platoon joined us over the course of the weekend, with our ranks further strengthened by two good friends of the Redline Home Guard, Pte Potter and Pte Morgan. Together, we were able to put together a formidable little defence force for Talbot Square.
As always, one of the best parts of the weekend was meeting and talking with members of the public. We had plenty of fantastic conversations, including several visitors who shared stories of fathers, grandfathers and other relatives who had once served in the Home Guard.
These encounters are always particularly rewarding. No matter how much research we undertake, there is invariably something new to learn from the personal stories and family memories that visitors bring with them.
The setting of Talbot Square also provided a wonderful atmosphere throughout the weekend. Live music regularly drifted across from the bandstand opposite our headquarters, adding another layer to the feeling of being transported back to wartime Britain.
Perhaps the most immersive moment, however, came courtesy of the cinema next door. At one point it was showing Battle of Britain, and with the sounds of aircraft, gunfire and explosions coming straight through the walls of our headquarters, it briefly felt as though Talbot Square really was in the thick of the action!
All in all, it was another fantastic weekend at the White Horse Military Show: a superb setting, some excellent public interaction and another opportunity for the Redline Home Guard to bring the story of Britain’s wartime citizen soldiers to life.
We look forward to returning to Talbot Square again.
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