Wiltshire Home Guard
Living History Group
2ND BATTALION, MALMESBURY
Date Raised | 16 May 1940 |
Commanding Officer | Col. The Hon. A.F. Stanley, D.S.O. (retired); December 1940 - March 1941 Col. W.L. Palmer, M.C.; March 1942 Lt.-Col. H.H. Stoney, D.S.O. |
Approximate Strength | 1,244 at stand down |
Companies | 9 |
Stand Down Parade | 3 December 1944, Cross Hayes, Malmesbury |
Satute Taken By | Maj.-Gen. R.N. Gale, D.S.O., O.B.E., M.C. |
Stand Down Parade Band | A Royal Air Force band |
Represented the Battalion at ceremonial parade at Hyde Park, London on 3 December | Pte. D.G. Kemp (Crudwell); Pte. S. Milne (Sopworth); Pte. F. Scott (Little Somerford) |
COMPANIES | ||
Battalion H.Q. | C: Sherston | F: Great Somerford |
A: Malmesbury | D: Hullavington | G: E.K.C.O. Factory (later 'A' L.A.A. Troop) |
B: Crudwell | E: Minety (c. June 1940 moved into B Coy.) | H: Hullavington Aerodrome |
Battalion H.Q.
Commander: Col. The Hon. A.F. Stanley, D.S.O. (retired);
December 1940 - March 1941 Col. W.L Palmer, M.C.; March 1942 Lt.-Col. H.H. Stoney, D.S.O.
Strength on stand down 70
PLATOONS - Strength & Commander/s
Signals | 27 | Lt. M.C. Ingram |
2/Lt. C.W. Essex | ||
Intelligence | 14 | Lt. N.W. Evans |
OFFICERS
Lt.-Col. H.H. Stoney, D.S.O., O.B.E. | Lt. F.W. Henwood |
Maj. N.D. Hart | Lt. P.J. Dickinson |
Maj. B.L. Hodge | Lt. L. Gardiner |
Capt. R.H. Osborne, D.S.O., M.C. | Lt. Hon. C. Douglas |
Capt. R.O.W. Arkwright | Lt. S.G. Davey |
Capt. C.F. Royston | 2/Lt. F.H. Wardle-Smith |
Lt. S.H. Pettifer |
AWARDS
O.B.E.
19 June 1943, Lt.Col. H.H. Stoney, D.S.O.
B.E.M.
12 December 1944, Sgt. R.M. Saunders, M.M.
(we've assumed Battalion H.Q. as we don't know which Coy./Pl. Sgt. Saunders was in. If this is incorrect, please let us know)
A COMPANY (Malmesbury)
Commander: Maj. H.V. Bonner (assumption based on rank); Strength on stand down 150
PLATOONS
We do not have any platoon information for A Coy. If you have information relating to platoons, strength, commanders and members please contact us
PLATOON COMMANDERS
Lt. C.G. Campbell | Lt. G.G. Newman |
2/Lt. J.H.F. Hulse | 2/Lt. A. May |
2/Lt. A. Box |
OFFICERS
Maj. H.V. Bonner |
Capt. G.N. Shelley |
2/Lt. R. Butt |
AWARDS
Commander-in-Chief Certificate
20 January 1943, C.S.M. G.N. Shelley
9 June 1943, Lt. H.V. Bonner
B COMPANY (Crudwell)
Commander: Maj. W.E. Snelling (assumption based on rank); Strength on stand down 211
PLATOONS
Platoon information for B Coy. has been devised from the awards list but we do not know if this is the complete list, nor do we know platoon strength or cammanders. If you have information relating to platoons, strength, commanders and members please contact us
Crudwell | ||
Minety | ||
Oaksey |
Was Oaksey Platoon within B Company?
PLATOON COMMANDERS
Lt. C. Jones | Lt. F.W. Constable |
Lt. H.C. Starey | Lt. G.C. Todd |
OFFICERS
Maj. W.E. Snelling | Lt. G.H.B. Chance |
Capt. C.H. Shores | 2/Lt. A.B. Blanch |
AWARDS
Commander-in-Chief Certificate
24 June 1942, Sgt. H.C. Starey, Crudwell Pl.
9 June 1943, Sgt. W. Legg, Oaksey Pl. (B Coy.?)
12 January 1945, Sgt. C.E. Timbrell, Minety Pl.
12 January 1945, Sgt. A.E. Selby, Crudwell Pl.
Was Sgt. W. Legg, Oaksey Pl. within B Company?
C COMPANY (Sherston)
Commander: Maj. E. Greene, M.C. (assumed); Strength on stand down 138
PLATOONS
Platoon information for C Coy. has been devised from the awards list and the Commended in Action note, but we do not know if this is the complete list, nor do we know platoon strength or cammanders. If you have information relating to platoons, strength, commanders and members please contact us
Sherston | ||
Luckington | ||
Charlton | Rev. F. Hudson |
PLATOON COMMANDERS
Lt. F.V. Knapp | 2/Lt. W.J. Vining |
Lt. F.W. Horsham | 2/Lt. R. Padfield |
Lt A.G. Jolliffe | 2/Lt. W.G.S. Parsons |
2/Lt. W. Thompson |
OFFICERS
Maj. E. Greene, M.C. |
AWARDS
Commander-in-Chief Certificate
January 1942, Sgt. F.W. Horsham, Luckington Pl.
9 June 1943, Sgt. W.J. Vining, Sherston Pl.
12 January 1944, Sgt. A. Hislop, Charlton Pl.
12 January 1944, Sgt. A. Ward, Luckington Pl.
21 June 1944, Lt. F.V. Knapp, Sherston Pl.
From Sherston The City of White Walls, A Village History by Cilla Liddington [book kindly lent by V. Knowles] |
DEATH IN SERVICE Sadly, Private William Dando (C Company, Sherston) was accidently killed during manoeuvres in October 1942. He is buried in a war grave in Sherston churchyard. |
OOPS! At formation, few of the men had weapons. Those that did had a shotgun or pike handle. On a Fosse railway line guard duty, the commander Lt. Frank Knapp (C Company, Sherston) asked 'Jack' if his weapon was loaded. Jack replied that it wasn't and demonstrated by firing the weapon. A loud explosion shattered the silence. Thankfully nobody was in the line of fire! |
COMMENDED ACTION 20 November 1940, 18:20 hours. Volunteer J.J. Langley of Charlton Platoon witnessed a plane come down at Dolman's Farm, Hankerton. He challenged the crew, who replied they were Poles. He took them to his platoon commander Rev. F. Hudson who instructed him to guard the aircraft. Volunteer Langley set up a 2-hour shift until 08:00 hours the next day. Meanwhile Rev. Hudson rang Kemble Aerodrome. This action was commended by Brig. Studd, Commander of Salisbury Plain Area. |
D COMPANY (Hullavington)
Commander: Maj. N.S. Wilson (assumed); Strength on stand down 110
PLATOONS
Platoon information for D Coy. has been devised from the awards list but we do not know if this is the complete list, nor do we know platoon strength or cammanders. If you have information relating to platoons, strength, commanders and members please contact us
Hullavington | ||
Norton |
PLATOON COMMANDERS
Lt. G.W. Sisum | Lt. W.R. Fry |
Lt. R.A. Brookman |
OFFICERS
Maj. N.S. Wilson |
AWARDS
Commander-in-Chief Certificate
24 June 1942, Sgt. R.A. Brookman, Hullavington Pl.
12 January 1945, Lt. W.R. Fry, Norton Pl.
E COMPANY (Minety)
Commander: Maj. E.P. Edwards, Strength on stand down 138
c. June 1940 E Coy. was moved into B Coy. - was this all or part of E Coy?
PLATOONS
Platoon information for E Coy. has been devised from the awards list but we do not know if this is the complete list, nor do we know platoon strength or cammanders. If you have information relating to platoons, strength, commanders and members please contact us
Minety | ||
Brinkworth |
PLATOON COMMANDERS
Lt. C.G. Gully | Lt. C. Gawthropp |
Lt. F. Whitehead | 2/Lt. E.P. Awdry |
Lt. B.R. Pearce |
OFFICERS
Maj. E.P. Edwards |
AWARDS
Commander-in-Chief Certificate
January 1942, Sgt. E.P. Edwards, Brinkworth Pl.
12 January 1945, Sgt. G. Quick, Brinkworth Pl.
F COMPANY (Great Somerford)
Commander: Maj. W.L. Palmer, M.C. (assumed based on rank); Strength on stand down 72
PLATOONS
Platoon information for F Coy. has been devised from the awards list but we do not know if this is the complete list, nor do we know platoon strength or cammanders. If you have information relating to platoons, strength, commanders and members please contact us
Great Somerford | ||
Seagry |
PLATOON COMMANDERS
Lt. F.S. Brind, M.M. | Lt. D. G. Brown |
OFFICERS
Maj. W.L. Palmer, M.C. | Capt. A.S. Martin. M.M. |
AWARDS
Commander-in-Chief Certificate
20 January 1943, Sgt. D.G. Brown, Seagry Pl.
21 June 1944, Sgt. P. Lewis, Seagry Pl.
G COMPANY (E.K.C.O. Factory (later 'A' L.A.A. Troop))
Commander: Maj. E.A. Hider (assumed based on rank); Strength on stand down 82
PLATOONS
We do not have any platoon information for G Coy. If you have information relating to platoons, strength, commanders and members please contact us
PLATOON COMMANDERS
Lt. N.R.W. Tanner | Lt. A.U. Emery |
OFFICERS
Maj. E.A. Hider | Capt. H.L. Cooley |
H COMPANY
Commander: Maj. V. Whitaker (assumed based on rank); Strength on stand down 273
PLATOONS
We do not have any platoon information for H Coy. If you have information relating to platoons, strength, commanders and members please contact us
PLATOON COMMANDERS
Lt. Sleightholme | 2/Lt. Merrick |
Lt. A.J. Long | 2/Lt. A. Hurst |
Lt. W. Worrell | 2/Lt. F.C. Warren |
2/Lt. L.H. Clifford | 2/Lt. D.H. Thorburn |
2/Lt. R. Humble |
OFFICERS
Maj. V. Whitaker | Lt. D.J. Dunne |
Capt. F. Browdie |
IMAGES
Do you have any images of 2nd Bn., Companies or Platoons that you'd be happy to share with us?
ACTIVITIES
Key activity was to harrass and delay the enemy by any means possible, and report enemy activity to the regular striking forces.
On set-up, Malmesbury became an anti-tank island, with defensive posts at the railway station, Steeple and Holloway. Steeple Post would defend the Silk Mills entrance to the town and the narrow roads near the triangle.
Once the risk of sea invasion receded in 1943, the defended localities policy changed to the defence of the E.K.C.O. factory at Cowbridge. This was aided by the receipt of wireless sets, which also aided platoons in the defence of Hullavington and Kemble airfields.
Exercises included rounding up parachutists, searching for parachutists who had gone to ground, ambushes against tanks and invading troops, scattering and reassembling, best use of Northover, delaying actions, observing an area and quickly reporting, moving quickly on bicycles and searching a wood. Pratice was untaken in working as platoons, companies and with other forces, eg defending an aerodrome with the R.A.F., and also attacking the aerodrome to discover weaknesses in its defence. A system for calling out men at night was devised and practiced.
TRAINING
Junior officers, N.C.O.s, and platoon, company & battalion commanders received training in giving words of command, fire orders, firing point instruction, and battle drill.
Platoon training included drill and weapons. In summer, training was giving on various items on a Thursday evening and practiced on the Sunday.
PARADES & INSPECTIONS
6 October 1940
Service at Malmesbury Abbey, attended by H.M. Queen Mary
1941
War Weapons Week, attended by H.M. Queen Mary
1942
Warships Week
1943
Wings for Victory Week
1944
Salute the Soldier Week
RETIRED OFFICERS |
Lt.-Col. Hon. A.F. Stanley, D.S.O. Bn. Comd. 1 Feb. 1942 - 1 Mar. 1942 |
Maj. H. Baker Comd. B Coy. 1 Feb. 1941 - 1 Jul. 1942 |
Maj. R.T. Chamen Comd. A Coy.; 2 I./C. Bn. 1 Feb. 1941 - 31 Dec. 1943 |
Capt. Viscount Coke 2 I./C. C Coy. 1 Feb. 1941 - 9 Apr. 1942 (posted to 4th Norfolk Bn.) |
2/Lt. E.J. Couzens Pl. Comd. 1 Feb. 1941 - 5 Feb. 1942 |
Maj.C.C. Craig Comd. A Coy.; 2 I./C. Bn. 1 Feb. 1941 - 31 Mar. 1942 |
Maj. S.F. Deacon Comd. H Coy. 1 Dec. 1941 - 8 Feb. 1943 |
2/Lt. J.A. Else Pl. Officer 1 May 1943 - 19 Aug. 1944 (posted to 6th Norfolk Bn.) |
Capt. S. Gibson 2 I./C. H Coy. 1 Dec. 1941 - 9 Mar. 1943 |
Maj. J. Hirst Comd. A Coy. 1 Feb. 1941 - 12 Jul. 1944 |
Capt. J.J.R. Hood 2 I./C. H Coy. 1 Dec. 1941 - 11 Nov. 1943 |
Lt. F. James Asst. Guide Officer 1 Apr. 1942 - 1 Feb. 1944 |
Maj. D. Marsh Comd. E Coy. 1 Feb. 1941 - 31 Mar. 1943 |
Capt. E. Duke Moore, D.S.O., T.D. 1 Aug. 1941 - 31 Mar. 1942 |
Maj. R.M. Moore Bn. Medical Officer 1 Feb. 1941 - 4 Dec. 1942 |
Lt. W.W. Pitter Pl. Comd. 1 Feb. 1942 - 17 May 1944 |
2/Lt. E.N. Ratcliffe Pl. Comd. 15 Mar. 1943 - 17 Jul. 1944 |
Capt. R. Tindle Pl. Comd. 1 Feb. 1941 - 21 Feb. 1942 |
Maj. E. van Cutsem, M.C. Adjt.; 2 I./C. Bn. 1 Feb. 1941 - 10 Dec. 1942 |
SOURCES:
Data: Company and Platoon data derived from The History of the Wiltshire Home Guard 1940 - 1944, Major E.A. Mackay, T.D., D.L., J.P., published 1946
C Company, Sherston notes: Sherston The City of White Walls, A Village History, Cilla Liddington, published 1996 [book kindly lent by V. Knowles]