Since it’s remembrance weekend, I thought I’d try and feature some wartime pictures of the area on the blog today. That was until I realised there aren’t actually that many of them about. The war years – both the Great War and tan World War II – must have been as difficult in Brownhills as anywhere else, with many workers in reserved occupations the character of the town must have been a little different to other places. I was hoping for a better photographic record, so please, if you have anything to add please do contact me.
The fire service are the unsung heroes of the war in many ways - they were incredibly brave men with sparse equipment, often out during air raids in very difficult conditions. Sometimes, it's almost as if they are forgotten in the remembrance of wartime sacrifice. From ‘Brownhills and Walsall Wood on old picture postcards’ by Jan Farrow.
This is an interesting image from the Great War period - I know nothing about it or the subjects other than the caption. Has anyone got more information? From 'Memories of Brownhills Past' by Clarice Mayo and Geoff Harrington.
The Home Guard were not just about civil defence, but about public morale and a sense of duty to the community. I'd love to know if any readers' relatives are in this neat parade? From 'Memories of Brownhills Past' by Clarice Mayo and Geoff Harrington.
Another Fire Brigade lineup. Again, names or relatives - I know readers of this blog have been serving members of the service - would be welcome. From 'Memories of Brownhills Past' by Clarice Mayo and Geoff Harrington.
A bonus image this week of the 32nd (Aldridge) Battalion, South Staffordshire Home Guard at Beacon Camp in 1943, from their excellent website. The webmaster is looking for a better quality scan - or indeed, the original - of this image. Can you Help?
Find out more about the Home Guard and its local Batallion at their excellent website.
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