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1940  1941  1942

1943  1944  1945


'HOME GUARD UNITS OF THE PLYMOUTH GARRISON WILL NOW "STAND DOWN"'

This order was spoken on the Hoe by the Garrison Commander, Colonel G Thomson, DSO, MC, on Sunday December 3rd 1944.

The occasion was a special ceremony to bring to an end the existence of the Home Guard, who had so valiantly given their service, and in some cases life, to the City of Plymouth during the Second World War.

Upwards of 4,000 officers and men attended the cermony in front of the Drake Memorial and in the presence of the Lord Mayor, Alderman H G Mason, and Lady Mayoress.

 

The cover of the Plymouth Home Guard "Stand Down" Programme

To the music of the Royal Marine Band, under their Director of Music, Lieutenant R H Stoner, LRAM, RM, the march past was led by the 144 (101 Devon Home Guard) Plymouth Rocket Anti-aircraft Battery, under Major J Bedford.

They were followed by 142 (102 Devon Home Guard) Rocket A. A. Battery led by Major F G Fleury; a detachment of the 15th (Plympton) Battalion Devon Home Guard under Major M N Ewers; then the 16th (Plymouth) Battalion Devon Home Guard, led by Lieutenant-Colonel W A E Northcott, who was also the Parade Commader.

After them came the 17th (Dockyard) Battalion Devon Home Guard with their Officer-Commanding, Lieutenant-Colonel W S Cooper; then a detachment of the 18th (Saltash) Battalion Devon Home Guard, led by Major H W Littleton Geach; followed by the 21st Devon (Post Office) Battalion Home Guard, with Lieutenant-Colonel W H Toms commanding.

Bringing up the rear of this important parade were "D" Company (Southern Railway) 22nd Devon Battalion Home Guard, led by Major R Squire, and finally the 2132 (Devon Home Guard) Motor Transport Company under their Officer Commanding, Major W D Coles.

The Parade Marshal was Major C V Wattenbach, MC, Brigade Major of the Plymouth Garrison.

Following the order "Stand Down" and finally "Dismiss", the parade turned to the right and broke up.

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