All They Got Was Armlets
Capt. Allebone on Early Trials of Home Guard

In a talk on the Home Guard at Tuesday’s meeting of the Rushden Rotary Club, Rotarian Arthur Allebone, J.P., C.C., Captain of the Rushden “E” Company, paid tributes to the loyal work of the men during the winter, when they were very short of equipment.

When the call was first made for Local Defence Volunteers, he said, the Government expected that about half-a-million men would volunteer, but when the force was built up there were about a million and a half men. This large number were without equipment and almost without organisation – all they got was armlets. When the name of the organisation was changed to “Home Guard” all these armbands were valueless.

At that time, in more vulnerable areas, farm workers laboured in the fields with old firearms and ammunition at hand. Then equipment began to dribble in – uniform which was too thin to wear on its own and too thick to wear over other clothes, and small quantities of rifles.

Winter Problem

The men had to be kept interested throughout the winter, and it was for this reason that a number of classes were evolved. The old soldiers did a great deal to keep the interest of the younger ones going.

There were few now who could not give a very reasonable account of themselves; many had proved this by a shooting match which was held recently. Every man down to a lance-corporal was capable of handling a unit of men who would deal very effectively with parachutists.

During the winter courses many men were given new confidence when they addressed sections on what they had learned. Some of them had never spoken before, and they had learned something very useful for leadership. They were worthy of the uniform they were wearing and of the job they were doing.

The meeting was held at the “Green Dragon,” Higham Ferrers. Rotarian O. L. Ash proposed a vote of thanks, and the chair was taken by the president, Rotarian J. J. Page.

Still Doing His Bit
Rushden Home Guard a Burma Veteran

Rushden Home Guard B Company has as one of its volunteers seventy-five-year-old Mr. George Jolley, who has one of the best Service records in the country.

This portrait of Mr Jolley is taken from a group which shows him with veteran colleagues of his regiment.

He joined the Army “under age” when he was nineteen years old, and after training in Ireland went with the Devon Regt. to India, where he served about eight years, taking part in the Burma Campaign. He then left the Army and returned home, but when the Boer War broke out, being on the reserve, was called to help his country again. This was not enough for Mr. Jolley, however, and when that campaign was over he joined the Rushden Volunteers, predecessors to the Territorials. Our photograph shows him in the Volunteer uniform.

When the last war broke out Mr. Jolley was over age, but he put his military experience to good use by training the Home Defence Volunteers, and now he is on the headquarters staff of the Rushden Home Guard doing just a bit more for his country. He has three medals, among them the Burma Medal.

He went through all campaigns without being once wounded, although he says he has had many narrow escapes.

A native of Huntingdonshire, he came to Rushden after his period of regular service and was employed in the boot trade, working for Messrs. William Green and Son (Grenson), Ltd., until he retired six years ago. He has a wife and four children, among them a son who lost an arm in the last war.

Men Still Evading National Service
Lieut. Weale’s Criticism at Rushden
Home Guard Supper

There were still men in Rushden who were not facing up to the emergency, declared Lieut. A. F. Weale at a Home Guard supper in the Windmill Club. If they were going to win the war – as he was sure they would – they must have 100 per cent. enthusiasm.

“I shall not be satisfied,” Lieut. Weale added, “until I know that every man in this town who is capable of national service is doing it.”

The supper was for the 19th and 21st Platoons of “E” Company, and Lieut. A. H. Sargent presided.

In proposing “The Services” Flight-Lieut. A. H. Whitton, of the A.T.C., promised full co-operation between the junior airmen and the junior Home Guard section which is to be formed. The Army, he said, was giving a brilliant show in Libya.

Major Sir Rouse Boughton, who replied, said the Navy had had a nasty knock, but there was nothing like an angry British sailor, to say nothing of the Americans, and the Japs were going to know all about it. It was a great satisfaction to the men of the regular Army to know that when they were away they would leave behind them a well-equipped Home Guard.

County’s Best

The chairman proposed “The Commanding Officer,” and Lieut.-Col. V. H. Sykes, in reply, said he was hoping to produce the best battalion in the county – one to which they would be proud to belong.

Proposing a toast to the 19th and 21st Platoons, Lieut. A. J. Sturgess recalled the time when not a man boasted a cap and when the only thing they had to defend themselves with was the armband they wore.

Lieut. H. Clayton proposed “The Visitors” and Lieut. W. Edwards responded. The chairman thanked the caterers, club and entertainers, and Mr. A. E. Haddon, president of the Windmill Club, spoke in acknowledgment.

The principal artistes, Mr. C. Bunning (vocalist) Mr. Tom White (concertina), and Mr. Archie Tear (conjuror), were assisted by members of the Home Guard. Sergt. F. Robinson acted as M.C., and the general arrangements were made by D.R. A. J. H. Shortland and a committee.

Rushden Home Guard Parade — Maj.-Gen. Sir John Brown Takes Salute

Rushden was privileged on Saturday afternoon to see the first full parade of the 8th Northamptonshire Battalion, Home Guard. Full use was made of the occasion, the battalion carrying out a recruiting march in the presence of Lieut.-General Sir John Brown, who took the salute as the men swung by to the music of a military band.

The considerable strength of the battalion was apparent when the companies lined up at Spencer Park. Lt.-Col. V. H. Sykes was in command, with Capt. and Adjt. H. W. Attley second in command. A band in khaki led the way, a popular chaplain beating the big drum, and halfway down the column the combined Rushden Town and Rushden Temperance Bands, under Bandmasters M. J. Roberts and T. Young, reinforced the music, several of their members wearing Home Guard uniform.

A route of about 1½ miles was chosen, the approach stage taking in Washbrook-road, Wellingborough-road, Church-street and High-street. At the foot of Station-approach the military band detached itself and took up position at the saluting base, where Sir John Brown, wearing mufti, was accompanied by several officers of the Home Guard.

Christmas shopping crowds had turned aside to watch the parade, and many more people were near the railway bridge to see the salute given in very good style. The battalion marched on to Higham Ferrers to make a stir in the borough and receive… (words missing)… by several officers of the Home Guard including the local Commander (Col. P. Lester Reid) and the Zone Staff Officer (Major T. C. Shillito).

Maj.-Gen. Sir John Brown Taking the Salute from the Home Guard

Such a parade, with youngsters graduating for the modern Army marching among veterans of the last war, could not fail in its effect as a record of the times or in its appeal for universal action. It revealed less of the technique and equipment which in less than 18 months have brought the Home Guard into strong fighting order, but it displayed the spirit and discipline of the battalion in a manner which must have pleased all who watched or participated.