The Redline Home Guard returned to Woodcote Rally for another memorable weekend – and, just like last year, the weather was scorching!
Eight members of the group attended, with two sleeping on site to stand guard over the rally throughout the night. Fortunately, we were better prepared for the heat this year. A large flysheet provided some very welcome shade, helping members escape the relentless sun.
Our display included a 25kg German unexploded bomb, complete with a bomb-disposal exhibit, alongside the spigot mortar and a Vickers machine-gun emplacement. The Bren gun was set up for anti-aircraft duties, while an array of other weapons and equipment included the P14 and P17 rifles, SMLE, Sten and Thompson submachine guns, grenades and much more.
Together, the exhibits offered visitors a glimpse of the varied weapons, equipment and duties encountered by Britain’s Home Guard. Members were on hand throughout the weekend to explain the displays and share the stories behind them.
Saturday brought an unexpected highlight when we were treated to a flypast by a Spitfire. The unmistakable sight and sound of the aircraft overhead provided a wonderfully fitting moment and added greatly to the atmosphere of the occasion.
The other highlight of the weekend came when we discovered that Redline had been awarded the trophy for Best Military Display – for the second year running! We were absolutely delighted to retain the award and are very grateful to the rally organisers and judges for recognising the work that goes into creating and presenting our display.
On Sunday, Sgt Quigley and Ptes Gleave and Gourley were briefly able to get their hands on the trophy and mark the occasion. It will now be engraved before being formally presented to the group later in the year. Winning the award once was a great honour; winning it for a second consecutive year makes it particularly special. It is a tribute to the enthusiasm, knowledge and hard work of everyone involved in the Redline.
Our thanks go to the organisers of Woodcote Rally, and to everyone who stopped to visit us. We look forward to returning and hopefully retaining the trophy next year, although perhaps with slightly cooler weather!
If you like the sound of this and would like to become part of our award-winning living-history group, we would love to hear from you. Whether you already have experience of re-enactment or are completely new to the hobby, get in touch to find out more about Redline, meet the group and discover how you can help us keep the story of the Home Guard alive.
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