Women Home Guard Auxiliary

[Hayward family]

MY mother died recently and in her possessions was a letter from the Secretary of State thanking her for her service ,she was born in 1926 so would have been just 18 ,this seems very unusual as the criteria seemed to be women over 50,its not something she mentioned until very late in life.Does anyone know what she might have done or if there are any records.

 

[Radiorails]

Women’s role in the Home Guard - The Redline Home Guard Living History Group

Women in the Home Guard, although they were not given combat roles, their contributions were significant.

www.the-red-line.co.uk

 

[ChrisM]

That sounds a nice memento of Home Guard auxiliary service. Does it give any further detail of the unit joined? Or dates? The age range is certainly OK and, just like their male counterparts, women served with ages of between 17 and their 70s, more or less officially.

The linked summary of information about the auxiliaries posted by Radiorails gives a good indication of the function of these women. A number were, in addition, given training in functions a little closer to the battlefield including rifle shooting, although this was unofficial.

I have online quite a nice memory written by a member of the Aldridge battalion auxiliaries - 32nd Staffordshire (Aldridge) Battalion. Worth a read to give an indication of the atmosphere, practices and attitudes of the time. It's here:
https://www.staffshomeguard.co.uk/HomeGuardingPages/63staffshg.htm and it's safe to click on.

Chris

 

[Pedrocut]

Do we have a name and date of the letter. She may have appeared in the Press.

 

[Pedrocut]

Evening Despatch October 1942.