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 HOME GUARD MEMORIES AND INFORMATION - WARWICKSHIRE, BIRMINGHAM

29th WARWICKSHIRE (BIRMINGHAM) BATTN.
(Birmingham City Utlities)
COMMEMORATIVE BOOKLET

"B" COMPANY

The 29th Warwickshire (Birmingham) Battalion comprised employees of the city's Utilities services - water, electricity, gas, salvage - and Council Offices. It was commemorated by an Official Record contained in a booklet given to all members in early 1946. The booklet is reproduced in its entirety on various pages of this website. Go to the 29th Battn. Introduction page page for more information.

This page shows the "B" Company section of the booklet (pages 40-49). For other pages, please see the Summary box at the foot of the page.

.....next section: "C" Company

ADDITIONAL "B" Coy. INFORMATION
David Hannan has kindly supplied the following additional information.

Sgt. GEORGE CHIDLER


In 1944 (and almost certainly earlier) George Chidler was in the 29th Warwickshire (Birmingham) Battalion Home Guard. We have very little knowledge of George's WW2 Home Guard Service but evidence of it survives in images of him in his Home Guard uniform at various stages during the war, summer and winter.

In 1944 (and, again, earlier) he was a Sergeant in the Home Guard 29th Warks. (Birmingham) Battalion, “B” Company (the Gasworks Company), together with his brother.  As he was in the Home Guard he later received the WW2 Defence Medal. 

In WW1 he had joined up in 1915 (whilst under-aged, as was common). He served as a Gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery - 3/1st Warwickshire Heavy Battery before being invalided out in 1917 and discharged in 1918 due to "physical fitness". His injuries meant he had difficulty finding/keeping employment, but it is known he worked for the railways at some stage and also for the Birmingham City Gas Dept. His last job before retirement was as a Plater’s Helper. 

 George was a regular member of the Erdington Branch of the British Legion and a very good shot, winning a cup for it in 1935 (left). He kept his rifle in a cupboard, and in the 1960s it was rediscovered and handed in to the police. Whilst in the Legion he was part of the Guard of Honour for a visit by HRH Prince of Wales to Birmingham and in June 1937 (Coronation year) George was involved in a gathering of old servicemen for the King and Queen.

George Chidler lived in north-east Birmingham all his life and died aged 91 - still with a full head of hair.

 

SUMMARY OF 29TH Battn. BOOKLET SECTIONS:
-
Introduction - Brief history - The Battalion - A Coy. - B Coy. (this page) - C Coy. - D Coy. - E Coy. - Events - Rifle Competitions - Stand Down Dec. 1944

For further information about many Birmingham Home Guard Battalions, including the 31st/32nd (City Transport Dept.):   Memories - Warks or use  Search.

Grateful acknowledgement is made to David Hannan for his memories of George Chidler; and for all other acknowledgements and information concerning this section of the website, please go to: Main 29th Battn. Summary Page

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x134D - March 2016; additional information Dec. 2021