- Contributed byÌý
- csvdevon
- People in story:Ìý
- Mr R J Bird and Mr Eric Bird
- Location of story:Ìý
- Somerset
- Article ID:Ìý
- A8629743
- Contributed on:Ìý
- 18 January 2006
The Home Guard - probably taken in 1940. The platoon was formed to defend the Washford Cross site. The trophy at the feet of Mr R J Bird is for being League Champions, W Somerset Small Bore Rifle Association.
My father Mr R J Bird joined the ´óÏó´«Ã½ in 1923 at Savoy Hill in London. In 1937 he was posted to Washford Cross in Somerset and there the ´óÏó´«Ã½ staff formed a Home Guard platoon.
He was Officer in Charge of the Home Guard platoon and also First Lieutenant in the Somerset Light Infantry.
As part of their training the platoon became affiliated to the West Somerset Small Bore Rifle Club and the trophy at my father’s feet in the photograph, was presented to the top team in the league that particular season.
My father was able to run his car during the war, being engineer in charge at Washford Cross. On various Home Guard training exercises, father’s car became a ‘tank’, much to the amusement of my mother. On one particular occasion we (mother, myself and an evacuee) all went on our bicycles to observe ‘engagement’.
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