Wigan Album
2nd World War
13 CommentsPhoto: irene roberts nee griffiths
Item #: 13918
Hi Irene, The Captain's name was Leonard Fielding, he lived in Lord Street, Hindley, just across the road from the Drill Hall. He was the very popular Physics Master at Hindley & Abram Grammar School before and during the war. Your Dad's Home Guard cap badge was the same as mine, The Loyal Regiment. Glad you have got some pleasure out of a simple thing like this Certificate. E.T.
Hello Eric and thankyou for your comment. I was familiar with Lord Street from 1964 till 1969 when I attended Hindley Grammar School, and I remember the drill hall building and a very old building that we used to call "The Dairy", I think. It stood on the right as you went down Lord Street and was very picturesque, but sadly long gone.
Hi Irene, The "Dairy"was Billy Eatock's farm.I think it was built 1670 and demolished 1970. I know it went to Harry Eatock when his Dad died and then Harry's son, William, before it came down and the last William had a big bungalow built near the site, he too has passed away. I also went to the Grammar School during the war and spent 4 years going to the Drill Hall as an Army Cadet. Have you ever visited Hindley History Society's Museum over Hindley Library?
No, but I intend to. I went once when I happened to be in Hindley, but it wasn't open that day.
Hello Again Irene, We have to rely on Soc' members being present to open up the museum and man it, the next dates due for opening are Fri' 19th March.10am-3pm. Sat27th 10-12noon. Fri 9thApril, 10-12 noon. We can only open when the Library is open and if you phone them, they can tell you when we are open. There is a large photo' of Hindley Home guard in one area but the men on it can be recognised if you knew them. I have read all your articles in Past Forward. E.T.
I think my Dad was in Ince Home Guard, Eric. I have a photo of them which I got via The History Shop. Of course I wasn't born when my Dad was in The Home Guard; I was only born in 1953 when my Dad was 44! But there is a man on the photo who I think may be him. No-one left to ask now, sadly. Hope you enjoyed the Past Forward stories; I haven't had any in since "My Mother's Eyes" last Summer.
Sorry Eric, make theat 1952 when I was born.....I'm losing the plot!
Goodnight Irene, that's different isn't it. Well it's my birthday today so I can sing if I want to. 1952 I and my wife married 4thFeb 1952, the King died on the 6th. Anyroadup, I think you would like the Hindley & District History Society. More information if you want, just ask. E.T.
I have seen articles in the Wigan Observer about the society, usually on Geoff Shryhane's "Wigan World" page, (Geoff is a friend of mine). Doesn't Roger Lowe run it? If it is the same Roger Lowe I think it is, he was in my class at HAGS. There were TWO Irene Griffiths in our class, which was unusual.Belated birthday greetings, Eric!
No, Roger Lowe does not run it, he officially opened the museum a few years ago. Roger is the son of James Lowe, local historian and Headmaster of Mornington Road School. The Chairman of the Soc' is Jack Topping ex Councillor. Last Monday evening we had a very good talk by people from The George Formby Society. Geof Shryane did an article on me and the Royal Observer Corps Post underground bunker I used to operate up to 1991, the headline started with the words,"SPY, Eric Turner--" I had my leg pulled about it for some time by people who knew me, anyway that's another story. E.T.
I do find all this so interesting, my Dad was in the Loyals in Italy et al and before that in the Abram Home guard. He told me a story of an old chap who used to hang around as they were "on exercise" in Abram and used to annoy them by offering helpful hints and expertise. One day they had to dismantle a field gun,pick up the parts and run some distance, a couple of miles or so and then reassemble the gun. The old chap set off behind them shouting for them to stop and waving his arms.Being teenagers they ignored him and carried on running. He kept up and arrived a few minutes later carrying the main pin which held the gun together and couldn't be assembled with out it and which they had left lying on the ground and he had seen. My dad said they were suitably chastened!!
My Grandad, Henry (Harry aka Jimmy) Winnard, was a member of the Hindley Home Guard. I have a photo of members of the squad in front of the hut they had on Hindley Market Square. If you would like a copy, let me know and I'll scan it in and send it. I never knew he had a Certificate of Proficiency, but I remember the boss-man, Len Fielding - he did his best to teach me physics at Hindley & Abram Grammar School.
Grandad never had much to say, at least in front of the children, about his experiences in the Home Guard (nor as a first-aider in WW1, bringing in the dead and wounded from no-man's land), but from the bits I did overhear the Hindley Home Guard were frequently called to Liverpool during the blitz on the docks and encountered a fair degree of utter horror.
God rest them - they wee brave men!