A remarkable picture of a home guard parade, which may well be local. Would anyone have any more information/ Recognise anyone, at all? Picture courtesy of Graham Harrison. Great stuff.
Long-time readers of this blog may well remember the name Graham Harrison – he was the chap that, way back in January 2010 was enquiring after information about his Grandfather, Henry Harrison. There was some lovely reader and Local History Centre interaction on that one. Well, Graham has written to me again, with yet another great photo… images of the local home guard are remarkably rare and this one seems to be in excellent condition.
Graham said the following:
Hello Bob,
you were very helpful to me a couple of years ago when I began researching my great-grandfather William Harrison. I since found out that he wasn’t a native of Walsall Wood, but had come from Droitwich the 1870s. Anyway, I also discovered that he was a “night soil” foreman with the UDC. Not a nice job, but very necessary! The 1911 Census transcript gave his trade as “night rail” foreman, but I smelt a rat and did some closer examination. Anyway, here (in attachment) is a photo of my Dad, Sgt.Ron Harrison, of Walsall Wood, leading his platoon, not sure where, but probably on home ground, perhaps 1942-3. He died in 2008 aged 91.
You may find it interesting.
Graham Harrison, Letterkenny, Ireland.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Graham for his generosity, and kindness in sharing the excellent picture above. It’s great to know that he has been able to find out so much about his Grandfather. Wonderful stuff.