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This story has been submitted to the Peoples War website by Rupert Creed for GMR Action Desk on behalf of Tom Mallinson and has been added with his permission. The author is fully aware of the site's terms and conditions

Me dad was in the Home Guard in Ribchester on manoeuvres. He was on his way to the bridge over the Ribble by De-tabley and he was stopped and an ‘opponent’ said ‘You can’t go over the bridge ‘cos it’s been ‘blown up’. Me father pointed to a small black patch on his tunic- he says, ‘It’s alright I’m already ‘dead’!
He worked for Blackburn Corporation Water and one of his jobs was to walk round Fishmoor Reservoir to stop any enemy aircraft from dropping poison into the water system. To carry out this duty he was armed with a double-barrelled shotgun with only one barrel loaded! He even had an official card with all the duties on he had to fulfil as mentioned above. Whenever I watch ‘Dad’s Army’ on tv- most people would think it’s fictitious but I know just how true it was!

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