Wicken Platoon of the Essex Home Guard.

I thought that fellow members may like to see this photo of the Wicken Platoon of the Essex Home Guard. As far as I know this is the first time that this image has been seen online. My late Gran's brother moved to this Essex village during WW2 to do farm work but he was also a member of the local home guard. It is understood that he was issued with a Tommy gun but in this photo he is one of the soldiers without a weapon.

It is suspected that he may also have been a member of an "Auxiliary Unit" during WW2, but so far, no definitive proof of this has emerged.

It looks like they're armed with US M1917 rifles complete with the Kerr slings sent with them. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brian Dick

It looks like they're armed with US M1917 rifles complete with the Kerr slings sent with them. Very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

---

That's what I was think when I saw the slings.
Can't make out the red painted fore ends though in the photo.

One of our rifle club members is very into the history of the HG, and will point him in the direction of this photo. He also owns and shoots an ex-HG P17.

These 2 "close-ups" are taken from the same photo in post 1.

Does anyone have an original "M1917 Kerr sling" that they could post some pictures of please?

Can anyone explain exactly what style of webbing belts and pouches are being worn, please, as it appears to be webbing rather than leather as maybe expected.

Thanks for the replies.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Flying10uk

These 2 "close-ups" are taken from the same photo in post 1.

Does anyone have an original "M1917 Kerr sling" that they could post some pictures of please?

Can anyone explain exactly what style of webbing belts and pouches are being worn, please, as it appears to be webbing rather than leather as maybe expected.

Thanks for the replies.

---

I think I might still have one, which I took off my de-act M1A1 Thompson when I sold it before the de-act laws changed, but it may have gone with all the rest of my militaria which I sold to a dealer earlier in the year. Will have a look tomorrow.

As for the HG belts/webbing the photo, they look like standard issue 1903 leather belts and HG pouches to me.

As GeeRam points out, standard HG pouches and leather belt, see link below

http://www.homefrontcollection.com/viewitem.php?id=358

I looked over a set many years ago, but it was only later that I realised the pouches were 1903 mess tin carriers......... link below

Pattern 1903 Bandolier Equipment Equipment Carriers

HG units were issued a variety of kit at the beginning mix of leather and webbing etc, note the leather anklets/gaitors.

The rifles issued come in a variety too, P14, P17 (M1917), M1903 and Ross, LMG included the Lewis and BAR. Not sure if they were issued the old Navy Arisaka Rifle too?

Found my Kerr sling, I had kept it :thup: