Bill Groove
proper brummie kid
I wonder if this was the Commanding Officer of a tale I've mentioned here before?The Commanding Officer of 322 Reinforcement Company used the house on the left. The house next door was used as the Orderly Room. The houses were on the corner of Chantrey Crescent and Romney Way.
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The houses today ... the one on the right extended ...
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The Home Guard (including my Dad) were asked to act out being enemy forces and protect Barr Beacon from invading allied forces aka the regiment based on Pheasey. This was organised to 1. give the US corps practice and 2. get used to snow and cold for the real European war. This was on a December week end. Remember most Home Guard troops were working on Saturdays (not sure if it was a full shift until 6pm). Barr Beacon was then and remains quite chilly in winter! The HG took up positions at about 8pm and waited and waited and eh waited for the invasion. At about 10:30pm the HG Commander (Mr Foster) made a field line call to the US Commander to request tentatively if the invasion is likely soon. Upon which the US Commander responded - "Gee, Commander it's much too cold to send my troops out in such weather"
I cannot confirm this incidents veracity but it's a good story. Almost a plot line from Dad's Army and I believed everything my Dad told me - did you? What's more I've enjoyed many drinks bought me over the years in reciting the story embellished, naturally, as all good stories.