"C" Company - 1941
No 2 Company had now becoming unwieldy. "C" Company was formed in January from No 5 Platoon, No 2 Company under the command of Captain E.N.Robinson, with W.E. Burril as assistant Company Commander, being part of the 12th Battalion Northumberland Home Guard, commanded by Lieutenant- Colonel J. Macdonald, M.C.
The first ceremonial parade in which the Company made their appearance was held on March 9th at St James's Football Field, when Lieutenant-General Sir R. Adam inspected the newly formed Battalions of the Newcastle Home Guard.
Assistant Company Comander W.E.Burrill, deputizing for Captain Robinson , who was indisposed, was in charge of the Company which paraded in Eldon Square. Moving off from the square the Company marched to Fenham Barracks to join the Battalion. Immediately on arrival Mr Burrill collapsed and died, a trajedy which cast gloom over the proceedings.
Number 5 Platoon on forming "C" Company
Platoon Commander: J.L. Mole
Assistant Platoon Commander: E.D. Brown
No 1 Section |
No 2 Section |
No 3 Section |
No 4 Section |
|
Section Commander |
G. Bamborough |
H.A. McClelland |
C. Browne |
L.E. Bell |
Squad Commander |
D.S. Whitfield |
G. Morrison |
J. Chaston |
J. Beattie |
Volunteer |
H. Ayton |
J.W. Davison |
J.F. Boyd |
N. Bell |
Volunteer |
F.S. Barwood |
V.C. Hardy |
J.R. Dickson |
G.E. Chisholm |
Volunteer |
R. Burke |
S. Murray |
D. Dady |
O.C. Davison |
Volunteer |
W. Cummings |
A. Mason |
L. Dowsland |
L.W. Goldfinch |
Volunteer |
H.S. Fotherby |
W.J. Richardson |
A.W. Featherstone |
S.J. McLean |
Volunteer |
G.P. Gale |
- |
J.J. Hedley |
T.W. Temple |
Volunteer |
V. Grainger |
- |
J.A. Jeffrey |
C.H. Wood |
Volunteer |
W.S. Gibson |
- |
J. Longridge |
D.C. Hart |
Volunteer |
J.R. Knox |
- |
T. Mills |
J. Stirling |
Volunteer |
C.F. King |
- |
W. Pearson |
- |
Volunteer |
W.E. Wilkinson |
- |
J. Shannon |
- |
Volunteer |
J.G.H. Wilson |
- |
R.J. Smith |
- |
Volunteer |
R. Taylor |
- |
J. Thompson |
- |
Eventually the Company began to take shape, as more men were drafted. Three platoons were formed : Nos 9, 10 and 11, the latter a machine gun platoon, augmented by a party from "B" Company under Sergeant G.A. Burn. Section and squad commanders now had the equivalent rank to N.C.O.'s in the regular army. Serge battledress and other equipment was now coming forward regularly, the Company becoming well equipped and looking smarter in every way
No 10 Platoon, with Headquarters at 97 Beattie Avenue, was responsible for the defense of the Mathew Bank road-block, also the timber yard adjoining the railway. Nos 9 and 11 Platoons took charge of the Castles farm area.
Important changes occured during March. Captain Robinson was promoted 2nd i/c Battalion after a short term with the Company. Lieutenant J.B. Mennie M.C. took over command of "C" Company as from 2100 hours 31st March 1941. J.L. Mole was appointed Assistant Company Comander. While these two officers worked together, they moulded the Company into a unit , which again and again earned the praise of Higher Authority. The key men chosen by the new Company Commander to assist him in his efforts were as follows :
Platoon Commanders - No 9, J.R. Goss; No 10 E.D. Brown M.C.; No 11 , C. Browne. Orderly Officer - S.M. Sawyer.
C.S.M. - W.J. Mackay MM; C.Q.M.S. - F.H.M. Owen; Signals Sergeant - G.S. Hawks.
Commisioned rank had now been appointed to the Home Guard and the following Company order dated May 23rd contained notice of the first commisions bestowed on men of "C" Company:
"Appointments to Commisions The undermentioned regimental appointments are made, under the authority of War Office letter 100/H.G.(a) dated 23.1.1941 with effect from 1.2.1941 Mennie, J.B, to be Major. Mole, J.L., to be Capt. Brown, E.D., to be Lieut. Browne, C., to be 2nd Lieut. Craggs, W.J., to be 2nd Lieut.. Goss, J.R., to be 2nd Lieut Sawyers, S.M., to be 2nd Lieut" |
Home Guard units also recieved the honour of being allowed to wear the cap-badge of the County Regiment. This opportunity was eagerly seized upon by the Company, who were soon proudly wearing the badge of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.
"C" Company Officers
Back Row (Lieut F. Moorhead), (Lieut L.E. Bell),(Lieut A. Lumsden),(Lieut G.A. Burn),( Lieut R.V. Green),(Lieut A.E. Beadnell),(Lieut S.M. Sawyers).
Front Row (Lieut W.S. Paulin),(Lieut J.R. Goss),(Lieut W.J. Craggs),(O.C. Major J.B. Mennie M.C.),(Capt J.L. Mole),(Lieut I.A. Richmond),( Lieut C. Browne).
St George's Church Hall was taken over by the Headquarters personnel on Saturday the 28th of April. This building consisted of a spacious hall where parades could be held, rooms for stores, signals and offices, while the adjoining Scouts' Hut was used for lectures.
St Georges Church Hall, Jesmond, Newcastle.
1941 was an intense year for the whole of the Company, members attending many courses, including training films, at centres such as Fenham barracks, Wallsend High Farm, Ponteland Rifle Range, the City Hall, Heaton Secondary School, Parsons Canteen and Newcastle's News Theatres. Regular weekend Company exercises took place at places such as Castles Farm, Mathew Bank and the railway timber yard in full battle dress. These involved closing road blocks, wiring, patrols, all duties appertaining to "Action Stations". Larger mixed Company and Battalion strength exercises also took place often with the regular army.
In June a meeting was held to discuss the reorganization of the Company and its area, resulting in a new platoon being formed - No12 - with 2nd Lieutenant Craggs in Command, assisted by P.S.M. A. Lumsden for the purpose of taking over defense of Jesmond dene, with A.R.P. Headquarters, at Jesmond Dene House, as their main task.
Two big exercises were held in July, the first "Dennis", not concerning the Company, the second "Permac", held July 19th/20th including the Company area. A Battalion Camp was held at Ponteland on the 6th/7th September this involved an exercise with "B" Company attacking Ogle Home Guard, with the village of Ogle as the first objective. "B" Company attacked from the left and "C" Company from the right. Supported by a machine gun carried on the Company truck. Once the village had been captured the attackers moved on to capture a bridge on the river north of Ogle.
Training and exercises continued into the winter, an exercise being held on December 20th/21st involving "A" Company and a field of derelict army vehicles situated three quarters of a mile east of Castle's Farm. This was deemed an enemy tank laager to be defended by No13 Platoon (MG), the attack to be carried out by No1 Platoon "A" Company and No's 9, 10, 11 and 12 platoons of "C" Company. The assault commenced at 0230 hrs, the various platoons simultaneously attacking the laager from three sides. The machine guns opened fire as soon as the enemy became visible, their fire being represented by the beating of a tattoo on cans. The exercise finished at 0330 hrs, All ranks then proceeded back to C.H.Q for cleaning weapons, followed by a Frank Owen and staff breakfast.
By the end of 1941 "C" Company Platoon areas were as follows:
| No. 9 Platoon | 2nd Lieut. J.R. Goss | Responsible for the bridge on Jesmond Dene road and the Convent area |
| No. 10 Platoon | 2nd Lieut. W.J. Craggs | The area facing the Railway in the vicinity of West Jesmond Station. |
| No. 11 Platoon | Second Lieut. I.A. Richmond | The Dene with A.R.P. Headquarters as its main defense task. |
| No. 12 Platoon | Lieut W.S. Paulin | The Dene in the area of the Banqueting Hall. |
| No.13 (M.G.) Platoon | 2nd Lieut. C. Browne | With weapons situated in various parts of the Company area. |
No 12 Platoon consisted of employees of Donkin's works under Lieutenant W.S. Paulin.
"C" Company Machine Gun Plattoon
Back row (Unknown),(Unknown),(Unknown),(Lieut G.A. Burn),(Unknown),(Unknown),(Pvt S. Steele),(Unknown).
Middle Row Kneeling (Unknown),(Unknown),(Unknown).
Middle Row Sitting (Unknown),(Unknown),(Unknown),(Unknown),(Unknown),(Unknown).
Front Row (Unknown),(Unknown),(Unknown).
Subsistence at a rate of 3s. per night was paid to members who performed a Guard duty, this giving rise to various interpretations by the men. However, at a full Company meeting it was decided to form a Welfare Fund, the men deciding to donate a small sum per month from there subsistence, with the object of buying comforts, etc, for the guard, or for any other occasion that might arise. A Committee was formed under 2nd Lieutenant W.J. Craggs, with Lance Corporal Richardson as Treasurer, together with representatives from each platoon to administer the fund. The first fruits of their labours being the organization of a childrens party held on Boxing Day. During the afternoon, community singing went with a swing, interspersed with games and entertainers. The hall was decorated with bunting and holly, while a Christmas tree, illuminated with fairy lights, adorned the stage. Toys, sweets and fruit were distributed to the youngsters during the afternoon, after which the finale, consisting of the presentation of gifts by Santa Claus in the person of Major Mennie.