‘B‘ COMPANY
ST. AUGUSTINE BATTALION
HOME GUARD
From its inception in May 1940 the Whitstable ‘Home Guard’ enjoyed several changes of name. The informal group founded in Turners Cafe on May 7th called them-selves the ’Volunteer Defence Corps’. Following Anthony Eden’s broadcast a week later the official ‘Local Defence Volunteers’ (LDV) were raised. The name ‘Home Guard’ was given in Company Orders on July 25th and the title ‘B Company St Augustine Battalion’ became official. At the same time all ‘Sections’ (the small local unit) became ‘Platoons’.
In the following pages I give an outline of the structure of the Company as it existed in the summer of 1940. Regrettably not all personnel are known and I would be glad to receive notification of errors and omissions. Most of the personnel listed below are believed to have enlisted at an early date, whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of Platoon lists, the reader should be aware that promotion was rapid in the early days (some promotions are given) and for this, and other reasons, transfers were common. Hence many men will have been on the strength of more than one Platoon during their period of service.
HEADQUARTERS:
The Drill Hall, Cromwell Road.
Officer Commanding: Commander Thompson RN.
Captain FHD Westcott
Mr JA Garrard (Musketry Instructor)
Sergeant Major Crow
Sergeant Grantham (Ambulance)
Sergeant H Lenley (i/c Miniature)
Lance Corporal T R Grove (DR)
Private G Bradley (promoted L/Cpl 21.8.40)
Private EMH Johnson (promoted Armoury Sgt w/e 29.8.40)
QUARTERMASTERS STORE:
RP Jones i/c
Corporal Haswell
Lance Corporal SA Belson
SEARCHLIGHT:
Sergeant Fox (Instructor)
(The light was located on Seasalter Golf Course)
RAILWAY DETACHMENT:
Sergeant HC Bennett
Corporal JH Parker
