I have been writing up some information I have received from the family of a Hockley lad, Stanley Easthope, who in WW2 joined the Home Guard at a very early age and whilst on duty in 1942 or 1943 witnessed the death at a blitz-damaged building of a woman who had ignored warnings not to cross a Civil Defence cordon. She was hit by a falling wall and apparently died in Stan's arms. I'm hoping that, one day, it will be possible to locate and date this incident so that we can identify and remember the unfortunate victim, although efforts so far have been to no avail.
Stan's family history includes homes in Ford Street and then New John Street West, Hockley (where we know that Stan spent most of the war years with his family); and later, Devonshire Street, Winson Green. He volunteered for the Regular Army, under-age, in 1944, and thereafter made a career there for the next 37 years. He married a German girl, Inge, and brought her back to post-war Hockley; thereafter she shared his service life in many parts of the world.
I don't know if anyone might be interested in this story of the life and service of this Brummie soldier and his family but I have now put it online, here: http://www.staffshomeguard.co.uk/DotherReminiscences18522WarksEasthope.htm (It's safe to click on).
Chris
Stan's family history includes homes in Ford Street and then New John Street West, Hockley (where we know that Stan spent most of the war years with his family); and later, Devonshire Street, Winson Green. He volunteered for the Regular Army, under-age, in 1944, and thereafter made a career there for the next 37 years. He married a German girl, Inge, and brought her back to post-war Hockley; thereafter she shared his service life in many parts of the world.
I don't know if anyone might be interested in this story of the life and service of this Brummie soldier and his family but I have now put it online, here: http://www.staffshomeguard.co.uk/DotherReminiscences18522WarksEasthope.htm (It's safe to click on).
Chris
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