Number 2 Company - 1940

France and Belgium overrun, the enemy nearer to the British coast everyday, this was the position in May 1940, when Mr. Anthony Eden, Secretary of State for War , made his historic appeal for volunteers to defend the cities, towns and villages of Great Britain.

Following registration at the local Police Stations , those residing in the Heaton and Jesmond areas were asked to report to various centers for the purpose of being enrolled in the L.D.V. (Local Defense Volunteers).

Captain Rankin who had been entrusted with the formation of No 2 Company, with Headquarters at Jesmond Dene House, presided over the enrolment, subsequently addressing the members regarding future arrangements. Platoon and Section Commanders were appointed, mostly from men who had seen active service. Parades were fixed for Tuesday and Thursday evenings, also Sunday mornings.

Jesmond Dene House Hotel

Some uniforms - denim variety - having already arrived, an endeavor was made to fit men of stock size. What a job this was trying to find the right size. The trousers seemed to grip you under the arms, while the collar of the blouse was wide enough for a couple of necks.

Here we first met Frank Owen, who had been appointed Quartermaster Sergeant, holding this responsible position throughout the entire time the company was mobilized. This cheerful Prince of Quartermasters, by his devoted and enthusiastic service, was a shining example of the spirit that permeated the Home Guard.

The Original No5 Platoon, No 2 Company

Platoon Commander W.E. Burril

Assistant Platoon Commander J.L. Mole

Then came the first parade, with everyone keen to learn the modern methods of warfare. Some came in uniform others in civilian attire with L.D.V. armlets. A few rifles had arrived, covered with a thick protection of grease. The first job was to clean them, which kept everyone busy for the first evening.

The following parade, training commenced in earnest, various squads being formed to learn the care of arms, musketry and squad drill. To the WW1 veterans the formation of "threes " was puzzling after "form four" days. Eventually a Corporal of the Royal Tank Corps volunteered to bring men up to date, explaining the small differences in modern drill.

Jesmond Dene House soon proved unsuitable for training, new headquarters being established at Heaton Secondary School, where facilities included a good parade ground.

Heaton Secondary School c1928.

Men arrived from other centers-the Company now looking like a Battalion. Platoons and sections were formed ; specialists instructed in basic training and gradually the men were knocked into shape.

The Company Commander was having difficulty with orders from Higher Authority, which followed each other in quick succession - often being cancelled by the next parade; attending conferences at all times of the day and night, also administrative duties, which were becoming a full time job. The result was that the men were allowed to hang around the parade ground, sometimes in very cold weather, waiting for orders to be sorted out.

This being a period of wild rumours, sirens and air raids, a guard consisting of Section Commander and six men was mounted every night at the school together with a picquet of 50 men for anti-parachute duties. The company also provided a guard for Heaton Marshalling Yards, and the Regional Commissioners Headquarters, so, with parades and guard duties, everyone had a strenuous time after a hard day's work in their civilian occupations. The response was wonderful, particularly remembering the severe weather conditions, when men proceeded to and from their duties through snow and slush.

During an air raid on the night of Sunday 28th July 1940 Heaton Secondary School was hit by several High Explosive bombs, the piquet guard narrowly escaped injury, unfortunately the caretakers house was hit.

Arms, clothing and equipment dribbled in day by day. Machine guns made their appearance, men being drafted to handle them, while regular N.C.O.s arrived to explain the mysteries of these American weapons.

Each platoon was allotted an area to defend, No 5 platoon - which became the nucleus for "C" Company - being selected to defend the Castles Farm Area. Every Sunday morning the platoon paraded at the farm, becoming acquainted with the district, selecting defensive positions and establishing Platoon and Section Headquarters.

Great Excitement prevailed in the guard room on the night of September 15th, when a message was received calling out the Home Guard to proceed to "Battle Stations" with all speed, in readiness for a threatened invasion by the enemy.

The message was immediately transmitted to the Company Commander, who put in motion his arrangements with the Platoon Commanders. On receipt of the warning , the Platoon Commanders quickly contacted the Section Commanders who in turn rounded up the men in their area. No rehearsal of the "Call Out" had been attempted, so it was gratifying to find a full attendance at Castle's Farm shortly after 0100 hours.

Riflemen were issued with live ammunition, "Molotov" bombs were distributed to the bombers , sentries posted, and the sections manned their allotted positions. Everyone was keyed up; the atmosphere was tense. During the early hours of the morning , a certain relaxation was allowed, relays of men reporting to the farmhouse for refreshments provided through the kindness of Mr and Mrs Knox. The Posts were fully manned again at dawn. Later in the morning a consignment of phosphorus bombs arrived, which were placed under the care of the Bomber Sergeant. Civilians were beginning to make their appearance on the roads, so a check of identity cards was started. At 1000 am men were allowed to go home, in small groups, for breakfast and a wash and brush up, returning as quickly as possible. The situation was unreal to most of the men, to think that England could be invaded, making them wonder whether they would return to their normal occupations the next day. However the crisis passed, the platoon "standing down " at 1500 hours on Sunday, September 16th. no enemy having been seen or heard.

The L.D.V. days were memorable, everyone a volunteer, forming a comradeship strenghened by the spirit of doing one's best in the defense of his country, come what may. With this spirit unbroken, the Home Guard emerged as the successor to the Local Defense Volunteers.

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