Home Service 1939 - 1940

The period from embodiment was a particularly busy one; existing men to be better kitted out, a significant number of new recruits to be absorbed, arrangements made for billeting and headquarters facilities and transport to be organised.

As can be seen from the War Diaries, the Battalions performed various duties in the context of; home security, protection of ammunition depots and deliveries, and guarding vulnerable points, while at the same time attempting to train men at various stages of military knowledge. The Militia, who had been first recruited nationally in June 1939, were allocated to the Brigade and were generally kept as separate Companies until their training was at a comparable level to the rest of the troops. Particular mention is made of them carrying out basic shooting classifications.

Although no specific mention is made of them, the Orderly Rooms and Quartermasters' Stores must have been very busy with the myriad administrative details to be handled as part of the business of setting up new units from scratch - here, in particular, is where the "old Soldiers" and retired Officers brought back to help in the task would have been most useful, with their additional role of guardians of the Regimental Esprit de Corps and Regimental traditions, which are such a part of the foundations of a British Army unit.

Investigations have been made, without a lot of success, as to why a guard was provided for some time at Windlestone Hall - which was a satellite Prisoner of War Camp to the installation at Harperley - Camp Number 93.

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More Information

British Expeditionary Force April - June 1940
Defending against Invasion June - October 1940
Iceland Garrison October 1940 - December 1941
Home Service and Winter Warfare Training 1942 - 1943
Pre-Invasion Training 1943 - 1944
Normandy 1944