MEMORIES and INFORMATION: 32nd Battn. - 6
A PLATOON OF "D" Coy., PELSALL

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This picture, probably taken in the autumn or winter of 1941/2, shows a platoon which was part of Pelsall based "D" Company of the 32nd (Aldridge) Battalion. It was generously provided to staffshomeguard.co.uk by Margaret Batterby of Burntwood whose father, Albert Snape, is one of the men shown. Please note that "D" Coy. was described as "a small company" in "Home Guarding": this picture may therefore even represent all or most of the Company, rather than one of its constituent platoons. The location of the picture is The Sycamore House, Church Road, Pelsall.

NAMES, from left to right:
Back row (11, standing):       H. Murdoch,  ?,  Ernie Pell,  ?,  ?,  ?,  Cpl. Johnny Cooper,  ?,  ?,  Albert Snape,  Cpl. Bill Dudley (Signals)
4th Row (9, sitting):               ?,  Lt. Thomas Chapman,  Bill Robinson,  Lt. J.P. Norris,  Capt. W.G. Davies (later Maj.),  Lt. Cresswell,                                                  Sam Locke,  Sgt. Painter,  Archie Wilkinson
3rd Row (10, kneeling):          ?,  Don Smith,  ?,  CQMS Ernie Woodhouse, ?Tilson/?Collins,  ?,  -Miller,  Cpl. Joe Gill (later 2Lt.),  ?,                                                   Alan Saunders
2nd Row (9, squatting):          ?,  -Tilson,  L. Pell,  ?,  J. Floukes,  George Malpas,  Gordon Chapman,  Norman Ashford,  ?
Front Row (4, lying):              A. Brindley, ?,  Reg Wilkinson,  ?

(Names supplied by Reg Neville, Margaret Batterby. D.P. and others.
n.b. There is a slight doubt about the rank of Lt. Norris - was he at some stage a sergeant?)

Albert Snape's story is told elsewhere on this site as is that of Thomas Chapman.
In addition, the photograph shows several men who are mentioned in various parts of this website, including Messrs. Cooper, Cresswell, Davies, Gill, Locke, Painter and Woodhouse. Gordon Chapman was the son of Thomas. Please go to the INDEX OF SURNAMES to find the other references.