Tag: Bren Gun

Chislehurst Home Guard: “C” Company 54th Kent Battalion! (7.11.2023)

This did, in some areas, include women – with the purpose of forming a ‘mass’ volunteer force comprised of hundreds of thousands of eager individuals who were dedicated to the task of protecting their homes through the logical use of local knowledge. Foreign Paratroopers, by way of example, despite their fitness and daring, may drop both sides of a house (in an unfamiliar area) and have no idea where they are, giving time enough for the inhabitants of the house to open-fire (from the high ground) – thus removing the threat! The soldiers of “C” Company of the 54th Battalion of the Kent Home Guard wore a Khaki British Army-style uniform and possessed a number of very different (old and new) fire-arms (preserved in the Museum maintained at Chislehurst Cave).

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Kent: Chislehurst Caves! (7.10.2023)

As something of a hobby that its becoming ever more prominent and important as I get older – I have penned an article about the local Home Guard Unit (the 54th Kent Battalion) which operated in the area – that will be published shortly on a dedicated historical website. This Home Guard Unit had the unexpected duty of ‘Policing’ the exterior of the caves and ensuring that law and order was maintained by the thousands of evacuees who turned-up. There was also the issue of ensuring that there was no trouble between the locals and the newly arrived – as Britain is rife with regional conflicts! A positive gained from this influx meant that there was plenty of men and women available to join and assist the Home Guard – making this area one of the best manned of the Civil Defence Authorities! Remember – the Home Guard was premised upon Socialist principles!

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