Wiltshire Home Guard
Living History Group
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 |
IMAGES
If you recognise anyone in these images, we'd love to hear from you
C Coy., Blunsdon & Hannington Pl's.
Supplied by a Highworth resident
I Coy., Purton Pl.
www.purtonmuseum.com
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