memory of a home guard and aresenal employee

[trooper554877]

I have the great honour to know and consider an 87 year old gentleman who was an industrial electrican who worked at the royal arsenal factories during the war. he was also a memeber of the home guard because he couldn't serve overseas as he was deemed an essential service person. He also still continues to shoot a 303 rifle in its many model numbers. he also has teh distinction of taking out Bisley( don't know what discipline) in 1952? And won as a trophy a no4 trials rifle.

He remebers among other things big piles and I mean like 100 feet by 50 feet dumps of partly broken or US weapons. Among these dumps where everything from pistols to aircraft heavy machine guns, i.e. brownings.
He remembers gathering a number of wrecks and making up from parts, remember he worked at the factories where they made everytnig and spares, 4 working 303 browning machine guns. His home guard unit was the only one with two twin mounted anti aircraft guns in the system.

After the war he reckons that for something to do on a saturday arvo they would grab half a dozen Bren guns, along with many thousands of rounds and go to the range for a shoot em up session.
he migrated to Australia in teh mid 50,s where he joined the CMF or reserves/militia as an armourer as he crossed qualified during the war in England.
He was wounded twice by doodlebugs when the germans where flying them into England.

These are just some of his stories but a very interesting man.

Cheers
NED

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[bradtx]

NED, We're gradually losing our 'living history'. Thanks for sharing!

Brad

[neal455]

Cool, Thanks !!