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Posted by chalmers1977 (U14182478) on Thursday, 22nd October 2009
Hello everyone,
I'm currently researching for my history dissertation and am looking for people with knowledge of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Guard during World War II. Would anybody on this site know or indeed know of any living members? I live in Northampton but can travel.
Any help appreciated!
I have only just discovered these message boards and there are some excellent discussions here!
chalmers
I can't point you at anyone personally, but I would suggest you try the various local history societies.
As well as the units recruited by locality, the big factories in Northampton, Bedford and Luton (and elsewhere) all had their own companies or AA batteries.
Cheers
LW
, in reply to message 1.
Posted by Mike Alexander (U1706714) on Thursday, 22nd October 2009
My grandfather served, but unfortunately he's long gone (died before I was born, in fact). He was a WWI veteran (field gunner, fought in northern Italy), and too old for conscription by WWII, but still wanted to "do his bit" - in this I suspect he was probably quite typical.
Cheers, Mike
look it up on Wikipedia.
Researcher
Not sure how that will help him find people to interview?
LW
Chalmers
One other thing. Anyone you find to interview will either be a Private Pike (too young to have been called up - you could join the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Guard at 17, you registered for National Service at 18 but most were not called up until 19) or someone deferred from call-up because of their war work.
But one of the reasons the General Staff were prepared to expend resources on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Guard was that so many of its potential members had seen active service in WWI. This is often overlooked.
(Even Dad's Army tended to overlook this, although they did do one episode where everyone was ordered to wear their medals ribbons, and Mainwairing is horrified to discover that all except Pike have more than him.)
There had also been an early version of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Guard in WWI, the idea wasn't entirley new in 1940. That you will have to look up on Google!
LW
Try a letter to your local paper asking for veterans to contact you (but get a box number, especially if you are young & female)
, in reply to message 6.
Posted by chalmers1977 (U14182478) on Thursday, 22nd October 2009
Hello guys,
Thanks for all the replies, should have put a footnote to say my name is Wayne but I can answer to Chalmers as well!
As Longweekend rightly points out I'll be looking for people too young to serve. I have a few leads through local history groups and will continue to pursue this. Don't think wikipedia will be an option tho but thanks for suggestion.
Wayne
Hi chalmers1977,
You may find this site worth watching as well as it contain a page on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Guard as well.
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