9th Battalion, Swindon Division

9TH BATTALION, SWINDON DIVISION

Date Raised

19 May 1940

Commanding Officer

Lt.-Col. H.F.E. Lewin, C.B., C.M.G. (age retired);

March 1942 Lt.-Col. A.W. Parsons

Approximate Strength

Maximum 2,340; Standown 96 officers & 2,028 other ranks

Companies

13

Stand Down Parade

26 November 1944 - 5 companies; 3 December 1944 - 4 companies; 4 companies on the appointed day

Represented the Battalion at ceremonial parade at Hyde Park,  London on 3 December

Cpl. W. Bull (Highworth); Pte. A.S. Curtis (Cricklade); Pte. S.A. Saunders (Wanborough)

COMPANIES



Battalion H.Q.

E: Wanborough

J: R.A.F. Wroughton, No. 26 M.U.

A: Ashton Keynes

F: Chiseldon

K: R.A.F. Wroughton, No. 15 M.U.

B: Cricklade

G: Wroughton

L: R.A.F. Clyffe Pypard, No. 29 E.F.T.S.

C: Blunsdon

H: Wootton Bassett

M: R.A.F. Lyneham, No. 33 M.U.

D: Highworth

I: Purton


Battalion H.Q.

Commander: Lt.-Col. H.F.E. Lewin, C.B., C.M.G. (age retired); March 1942 Lt.-Col. A.W. Parsons

Head Quarters: Salthrop House, Wroughton; 16 Feb. 1942 King & Queen Hotel, Highworth

Strength [ ]

PLATOONS - Strength & Commanders

We don't have any platoon or section information for Bt. H.Q. If you have information relating to platoons / sections, strength, commanders and members please contact us

OFFICERS

Lt.-Col. H.F.E. Lewin, C.B., C.M.G.

Capt. E.J. Hawxwell, K.R.R.C.

Lt.-Col. A.W. Parsons

Capt. J.O. Naismith, M.A., D.S.O.

Maj. N.L. Whatley


A COMPANY (Ashton Keynes) - formed end of June 1940

Commander: Maj. J.M. Mordaunt

Head Quarters: Ashton Keynes

Strength on Standown: [ ]

PLATOONS

We only know of Ashton Keynes platoon for A Coy. If you have information relating to platoons, commanders, strength, and members please contact us

OFFICERS

Maj. J.M. Mordaunt

Lt. W.G. Wilkins

B COMPANY (Cricklade)

Commander: Maj. S. Dennis (age retired); 31 Dec. 1942 Maj. R.W. Cainey

Head Quarters: Cricklade

Strength: [ ]

PLATOONS

Cricklade



Ashton Keynes*



Leigh



Latton



Marston Meysey



Eisey



* became A Coy. end of Jun. 1940

PLATOON COMMANDERS

Lt. N.F.J. Wilkins


Lt. A.R. Lee

Lt. H.T. Carter


Lt. S.L. Maundrell

Lt. C. Horton



Although we know which platoons there were and the platoon commanders, we don't know who commanded which platoon. If you are able to assist with this, plus platoon strength and members, please contact us

OFFICERS

Maj. R.W. Cainey

Lt. C. Horton

Capt. W.M. Carter

Lt. A.R. Lee

Lt. N.F.J. Wilkins

Lt. S.L. Maundrell

Lt. H.T. Carter


C COMPANY (Blunsdon) - formed end of June 1940

Commander: Maj. A.W. Parsons; Jan. 1942 Maj. J.A.G. Howard

Head Quarters: Blunsdon

Strength: [ ]

PLATOONS

Blunsdon



Castle Eaton



Hannington



PLATOON COMMANDERS

Lt. B. Hoddinott


2/Lt. C.R.O. Ayres

Lt. S.W. Maundrell


2/Lt. E. Ward

Lt. T. Green



Although we know three of the platoons there are five platoon commanders. If you are able to assist with the missing platoons, who commanded which platoon, platoon strength and members, please contact us

OFFICERS

Maj. J.A.G. Howard

Lt. T. Green

Capt. K.H. Tucker

2/Lt. C.R.O. Ayres

Lt. B. Hoddinott

2/Lt. E. Ward

Lt. S.W. Maundrell


D COMPANY (Highworth)

Commander: Maj. B. Van de Weyer (age retired); 31 Mar. 1942 Maj. F.W. Jennings; Jul. 1944 Maj. Sir. T. Noel  Arkell

Head Quarters: Highworth

Strength: [ ]

PLATOONS

South Marston



Stratton*



Hannington



Castle Eaton#



* Jan. 1943 Lower Stratton Pl. to 220 (101st Wiltshire Home Guard) Z A.A. Bty.;

  May 1943 Upper Stratton Pl. to 11th Factory Bn.;

# end Jun. 1940 to C Coy.

PLATOON COMMANDERS

Lt. H.D. Roberts


Lt. G. Miles, M.M.

Lt. L.C. Hicks


2/Lt. E.F. Fry

Lt. C.C. Morse



Although we know three of the platoons there are five platoon commanders. If you are able to assist with the missing platoons, who commanded which platoon, platoon strength and members, please contact us

OFFICERS

Maj. B. Van de Weyer

Lt. L.C. Hicks

Maj. F.W. Jennings

Lt. C.C. Morse

Maj. Sir. T. Noel Arkell

Lt. G. Miles, M.M.

Lt. H.D. Roberts

2/Lt. E.F. Fry

E COMPANY (Wanborough)

Commander: Mr A.D. Passmore (resigned); end Jun. 1940 Maj. M. Kingscote; Mar. 1942 Maj. R.H. Wilson, M.C.

Head Quarters: Wanborough

Strength: [ ]

PLATOONS

Wanborough



Liddington



Bishopstone



Hinton



Foxhill



PLATOON COMMANDERS

Lt. R.B. Henderson


Lt. F. Carter

Lt. E.W. Roberts


P.S.M. W.J. Pound

Lt. E.W. Kitchen



Although we know which platoons there were and the platoon commanders, we don't know who commanded which platoon. If you are able to assist with this, plus platoon strength and members, please contact us

OFFICERS

Mr. A.D. Passmore

Lt. E.W. Roberts

Maj. M. Kingscote

Lt. E.W. Kitchen

Maj. R.H. Wilson, M.M.

Lt. F. Carter

Lt. R.B. Henderson

P.S.M. W.J. Pound

F COMPANY (Chiseldon) - formed end June 1940

Commander: Maj. N.L. Whatley; Jul. 1944 Capt. E.A. Hughes, M.M.

Head Quarters: Badbury

Strength: [ ]

PLATOONS

Hodson



Chiseldon



Badbury



Coate



PLATOON COMMANDERS

Lt. C. N. Whatley


2/Lt. T. Ford

Lt. F. Akehurst


2/ Lt. K. Dale

Although we know which platoons there were and the platoon commanders, we don't know who commanded which platoon. If you are able to assist with this, plus platoon strength and members, please contact us

OFFICERS

Maj. N.L. Whatley

Lt. .F. Akehurst

Capt. E.A. Hughes, M.M.

2/Lt. T. Ford

Lt. C.N. Whatley

2/Lt. K. Dale

G COMPANY (Wroughton)

Commander: Maj. F.W. Barrett (age retired); 31 Dec. 1942 Maj. W. Gosling, V.C.

Head Quarters: Wroughton

Strength: [ ]

PLATOONS

Salthrop



Wroughton



Overton



Wroughton Airfield



Elcombe



Chiseldon*



* became F Coy. end Jun. 1940

PLATOON COMMANDERS

Lt. J.A.T. Page


Lt. S.V. Griffin

Lt. C.E. Rowden


Lt. T.C. Curtis

Lt. W.G Prismall, M.M.


Lt. F.T. White

Lt. A.F. Brain



Although we know of five platoons, there are seven platoon commanders. Do you know where the missing plattons were? Do you know who commanded which platoon? If you are able to assist with this, plus platoon strength and members, please contact us

OFFICERS

Maj. F.W. Barrett

Lt. A.F. Brain

Maj. W. Gosling, V.C.

Lt. S.V. Griffin

Lt. J.A.T. Page

Lt. T.C. Curtis

Lt. C.E. Rowden

Lt. F.T. White

Lt. W.G Prismall, M.M.


H COMPANY (Wootton Bassett)

Commander: Maj. J.M. Farrant, M.B.E.

Head Quarters: Wootton Bassett

Strength: [ ]

PLATOONS

Wootton Bassett



Lyneham



Tockenham



Broad Town



Bushton



Clyffe Pypard



PLATOON COMMANDERS

Lt. F. W. Stratton


Lt. R.J. Mifln

Lt. C.G. Collett


Lt. R.C. Hicks

Lt. W.M Burbidge


2/Lt. J.E. Mapson

Although we know the platoons and commanders, we don't who commanded which platoon. If you are able to assist with this, plus platoon strength and members, please contact us

OFFICERS

Maj. J.M Farrant, M.B.E.

Lt. R.J. Mafln

Lt. F.W. Stratton

Lt. R.C. Hicks

Lt. C.G. Collett

2/Lt. J.E. Mapson

Lt. W.M. Burbidge


I COMPANY (Purton)

Commander: Capt. R.H. Ward; end Jun. 1940 Maj. A. Canning, C.M.G. (age retired);

31 Mar. 1942 Capt. R.H. Ward (age retired); 1 Sep. 1942 Maj. W.E. Osborn

Head Quarters: Purton

Strength: [ ]

PLATOONS

Braydon


Jun. 1940 Capt. H.R. Ward (R.H. Ward)

Blunsdon*



Lydiard Millicent



Lydiard Tregoze



Purton Stoke



* End Jun. 1940, transferred to C Coy.

PLATOON COMMANDERS

Capt. R.H. Ward


Lt. H.B. Mills

Maj. A. Canning, C.M.G.


2/Lt. P.R. Painter

Maj. W.E. Osborn


2/Lt. G.R. Gautlett

Lt. F. G. Neville, M.M.


2/Lt. F.J. Shailes

Lt. A. Druett



We know of four platoons but have six platoon commanders. Are you able to assist with the other platoons, along with who commended which platoon, platoon strength and company/platoon members?

OFFICERS

Maj. J.M Farrant, M.B.E.

Lt. R.J. Mafln

Lt. F.W. Stratton

Lt. R.C. Hicks

Lt. C.G. Collett

2/Lt. J.E. Mapson

Lt. W.M. Burbidge


J COMPANY (R.A.F. Wroughton, No. 26 M.U.) - formed April 1941

Commander: Capt. E.A. Preece, M.M.

Head Quarters: R.A.F. Wroughton

Strength: [ ]

PLATOON COMMANDERS

2/Lt. E.G. Barlow


2/Lt. H. Jones

Are you able to assist with platoon details for these platoon commanders, platoon strength and company/platoon members?

OFFICERS

Capt. E.A. Preece, M.M.


2/Lt. E.G. Barlow

2/Lt. H. Jones



K COMPANY (R.A.F. Wroughton, No. 15 M.U.) - formed July 1943

Commander: Capt. W. Middleton, B.E.M.

Head Quarters: R.A.F. Wroughton

Strength: [ ]

PLATOONS

Maritime Mountings Factory, North Wroughton



PLATOON COMMANDERS

Lt. T.A. Mason


2/Lt. W.T. Blackman

Lt. H. Jarman


2/Lt. E.E. Spicer

Lt. F. Shaw



Are you able to assist with platoon details for these platoon commanders, platoon strength and company/platoon members?

OFFICERS

Capt. W. Middleton, B.E.M.


Lt. F. Shaw

Lt. T.A. Mason


2/Lt. W.T. Blackman

Lt. H. Jarman


2/Lt. E.E. Spicer

L COMPANY (R.A.F. Clyffe Pypard, No. 29 E.F.T.S.) - formed November 1941

Commander: Capt. B. Browne

Head Quarters: R.A.F. Clyffe Pypard

Strength: [ ]

PLATOON COMMANDERS

2/Lt. R. Goodson


2/Lt. J.C. Catesby

Are you able to assist with platoon details for these platoon commanders, platoon strength and company/platoon members?

OFFICERS

Capt. B. Browne


2/Lt. J.C. Catesby

2/Lt. R. Goodson



M COMPANY (R.A.F. Lyneham, No. 33 M.U.) - formed July 1941

Commander: Capt. H.D. Shipp

Head Quarters: R.A.F. Lyneham

Strength: [ ]

PLATOON COMMANDERS

Lt. A. H. Harrison


2/Lt. W.G. Clark

2/Lt. S.A. Denney


2/Lt. A.G. Clark

Are you able to assist with platoon details for these platoon commanders, platoon strength and company/platoon members?

OFFICERS

Capt. H.D. Shipp


Lt. A.H. Harrison

2/Lt. W.G. Clark


2/Lt. S.A. Denney

2/Lt. A.G. Clark



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 image provided by a Highworth resident

I Company image: www.purtonmuseum.com