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Platoon, Davis,
of the quiet voice and decided views at company conferences,
the genial Lloyd of North and his faithful Willis, C.S.M.
Shaw, and a host of others.
On to "F" Company. How well Smith and his loyal
lieutenants, Arblaster and Mycock, did look after the creature
comforts of their men! I still retain visions of amazing
meals on mustering tests.
Smith was in command for a considerable time until one
day came re-organization and the size of the company was
increased by the inclusion of the Shire Oak Platoon, and
the stormy petrel of the battalion, the one and only Torkington,
took over command.
I find it difficult to understand, but "F" has
always been a tough nut to crack. Even "Talky"
could not change the Walsall Wood spots, but I am sure there
are men in that locality who will never forget the intrusion
of this warrior into their peaceful world. If ever circumstances
had demanded action on the part of "F" Company,
it would not have failed to give a very good account of
itself.
In passing on, we must salute the Old Brigade and those
young officers Harrison and Dodd.
I could almost fill this book with an account of the activities
of the next two companies, which ultimately finished their
Home Guard lives as one.
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Shall
I ever forget those steep stairs at the Co-op. at Shelfield
in those early days, or the men on the landing ready to frighten
the very life out of the unwary intruder. Or the first company
parade when orders were bawled out both from the head and
rear of the column at the same time. Or the day when an officer,
admitting his ignorance of the drill, handed over to the sergt.-major
and joined the squad which was being drilled.
But, to cut a long story short, owing to the call-up for
service of so many of the company's bright youngsters, "G"
strength became no more than a good-sized platoon and it
was decided to transfer the unit to "H" Company.
The platoon, however, continued to operate at Shelfield,
still under the exciting leadership of Hooper, ably assisted
by Martin. These two would have made excellent commando
leaders and, but for the drain on their numbers, might have
made Home Guard history at Shelfield.
And so we come to the present "G" Company, known
for so long as "H". To it we owe our Quartermaster,
Hackett, who, as such, has served us so efficiently after
doing yeoman service as a volunteer officer in the company.
The company first saw light under Brain, whose past experience
of military matters led to the introduction of exciting
and stimulating moments into the life of the Rushall Company.
One of the very early patrol reports reads : "We cannot
yet explain the flat-heeled and veiled lady, nor the red
rockets, but two younger members, still unconvinced, are
quite determined to get to the bottom of the mysteries." (......continues.....)
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