Platoons mounted guard at observation posts in Whitstable including West Beach, The Harbour, Priest & Sow Corner and Long Rock, Swalecliffe. In addition they guarded such key points as the Gasometer in Belmont Road, the Reservoir at Radfall Hill, Telephone Exchanges and the two Railway Stations.
Some novel and very nasty surprises had been prepared for German infantry. Take the Railway Arch at Swalecliffe for instance. A tank full of petrol had been concealed against the south facing embankment with a pipe leading to the road below the bridge. In the event of the enemy proceeding under the bridge a tap was to be opened, the road flooded with petrol and ignited. As the soldiers emerged from this they were to be pelted with Phosphorus Bombs, which had been made up in bottles and buried in a crate nearby. This blazing liquid would have clung to the men’s flesh and clothing.
The men were armed in the first instance with Canadian Ross Rifles which needed much cleaning A few automatic weapons were made available briefly and a number of men were able to acquire small calibre weapons privately!
Key figures in the Home Guard were recruited as “Guides”. These men were selected for their local knowledge and, in the event of invasion, they were to assist the Regular Army in finding their way about. Each Platoon – having responsibility for a local area – had to produce two guides from among their number to serve in this manner should the need arise. Likewise, responsible boys were recruited from the ARP (Air Raid Precaution) Posts to act as Despatch Riders. Should enemy activity result in the breakdown of communications these lads were to carry messages to Mr Martin at the Castle (the communications centre) sometimes over distances of several miles. These boys obviously also needed a thorough knowledge of the town.
Very few heavy guns were available to the army for the defence of the coast. One such was hidden on the edge of Radfall Hill woods with a ‘spotter’ posted in a hut on the top of Shrub Hill. This vantage point has, as any golfer will tell you, an unrivalled view of the coast from Whitstable to Herne Bay. There was concern that a landing might have been attempted at Long Rock where the absence of cliffs would permit easy access inland. No 1 Platoon of the Home Guard, based at Chestfield, patrolled here, along with others, throughout the invasion ‘threat’. Concealed behind barbed wire, among the dunes, they passed many a sleepless night.
