Living History

INDEX:

1. Aim
2. Where you can see us
3. Portrayals, Activities and Exhibits
4. Group Structure
5. Membership
6. Members
7. Shooting Competition Results
8. Application Forms
9. Membership Documents

1. Aim

We are a living history group whose aim is to provide a realistic impression of the Wiltshire Home Guard and Home Front activities during World War II. Our eventual aim is to portray all 13 General Service Battalions, 101 Battery and 2142 MTC of the Wiltshire Home Guard.

2. Where can you see us

In 2019 we will be attending the following events:

27/28 April: Wartime in the Cotswolds, GWSR (walking only)

11 May: Wartime Britain, REME Museum, Lyneham (exhibits)

25/26 May: North Fort 1940's Weekend, Weymouth (exhibits)

27 May: Wartime Wallop (potentially walking)

TBC 22 June: 75th Anniversary of D-Day, Greenham Common (potentially exhibits)

29/30 June: Armed Forces Weekend, Trowbridge (exhibits)

13/14 July: Vintage Weekend, Market Lavington (exhibit)

TBC 10/11 August: Retrofest, Newbury (exhibits)

10/11 August: Lacock at War (walking only)

21/22 September: 1940s Weekend, Bitton (walking only)

3 November: Hungerford Arcade Poppy Appeal (walking)

30 November/1 December: Vintage Christmas, Bovington Tank Museum (exhibits and talks)

If you would like us to attend an event or do a talk or demonstration, please get in touch via the contact page.

3. Portrayals, Activities and Exhibits

Portrayals:

Home Guard (HG)

Local Defence Volunteers (LDV)

1940's Policeman

Womens Home Guard Auxiliary

Air Raid Precautions (ARP)

Womens Land Army (WLA)

Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS)

Civilian

Womens Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF)

Activities:

Weapons Recognition

Sentry Duty

Drill

Reconnaissance Patrols

Unexploded Bomb Demonstration

Mortar Demonstration

Bayonet Charge

Village Defence

Talks on the Home Guard, Weapons and the Role of Women during the War

Exhibits:

Conventional & Improvised Weapons of the Home Guard

Sentry Box with UXB

Home Guard HQ Office

Signals Section

1940's Police Station

1940's Home

Air Raid Precautions

Steel Helmets

Cap Badges

Static Defences (Pill Boxes)

What Women Wore

Wartime Rationing

4. Group Structure

As the Group has grown in size, a 'committee' structure has been set up to facilitate points of contact.

Chairman: Maria

Vice-Chairman: Colin

Treasurer: Pauline

Signatories: Val & Colin

Health & Safety Officer: Matt

Meeting Secretary: John

Authenticity Officer, Military: Derek B

Authenticity Officer, Civilian: Gill

Media Officers: Maria, Rich & Matt

Events Co-Ordinators: All

Recruitment Officer: Gill

Members

5. Membership

Benefits of Membership:

• All members receive a membership card
• All adult members are entitled to attend and vote at Wiltshire Home Guard living history group meetings and the AGM
• Members can attend re-enactment events as a re-enactor of Wiltshire Home Guard living history group
• All members are eligible to join the Group’s Public Liability Scheme, valid for all re-enactment purposes
• All members may attend out of season meetings which will include training sessions and fun activities

Types of Membership:

There are two types of membership - adult and junior:

• Adult membership is for members 18 years and over
• Junior membership for those up to 18 years of age

Membership Year and Fees:

Our membership year runs from 1 February to 31 January

The annual membership fee is:

• Adult Membership: £10 per year
• Junior Membership: £5 per year

If joining part way through the year, the pro-rata rate for the first year is:

• Adult Membership: joining February-July £10, joining August-January £5
• Junior Membership: joining February-July £5, joining August-January £2.50

Public Liability Insurance:

All members must have public liability insurance, which can either be purchased independently or by joining the Group policy.

The Group policy runs in line with the memebership year. The Group obtains their PLI from the Shooters Rights Association. The rate is £21 per person per year.

Meetings:

We have four scheduled meetings in a year, with ad hoc meetings, drill sessions, and social events as required. Unless advised otherwise, meetings are held on a Sunday at Easterton Village Hall. Ad hoc meetings and training sessions are listed on the Useful Information page under next meeting.

January: Drill and AGM (2019: Sunday 20 January)

March: Drill and Annual Shooting Competition for the James Bowles Cup (2019: Sunday 24 March)

October: Drill and Review of the Year & Event Selection for 2019 (2019: TBC)

December: Christmas Social (2019: TBC)

Ad hoc meetings in 2019:

February: Drill and Event Training (Sunday 24 February)

April: Drill and Event Training (Sunday 21 April)

How to Join:

If you would like to discuss joining the group, you can:

• Come and speak to us at an event;
• Come and speak to us at a meeting; or
• Contact us via the contact page.

6. Members

7. James Bowles Cup Shooting Competition Results

(1) Colt 1911 (8 shot)

(2) Webley Mark VI (6 shot)

8. Application Forms

9. Membership Documents

Membership Handbook; Home Guard Ribbon Policy; Event Health & Safety Guidelines; Reimbursement Policy; Medical Form