Old Photograph Sparks New Book on Kingsclere’s WWII History

An 82-year-old photograph of the Kingsclere Home Guard has inspired a new publication detailing the Hampshire village’s significant contributions during the Second World War. The original black and white image, taken in 1942, surfaced more than 500 miles away in Scotland when a relative of one of the servicemen sent it to the Kingsclere Local History Association.

The photograph features 33 members of the local Home Guard unit, and the names inscribed on the back prompted a thorough investigation by local historians. Gareth Martin, secretary of the association, described how the discovery reignited interest in the village’s wartime activities. “A lady in Scotland found a photo. A Home Guard picture. We had seen a copy, but she sent the original,” he explained.

Following the initial research, Martin uncovered extensive information about the Home Guard and its associated Land Army, which drew recruits from places such as Southampton and London. Notably, he found that twelve members of the Land Army later married local men from Kingsclere.

As the team delved deeper into the village’s wartime history, they organized VE Day exhibitions and village walking tours. The research ultimately culminated in a dedicated publication titled Kingsclere in WW2. The 56-page booklet records the remarkable contributions made by the village, including the activities of the Royal Observer Corps, the Naval Ordnance Proofing Range, and the local war memorial.

Martin expressed his surprise at the wealth of information that emerged. “I was really quite surprised,” he remarked. “But there was an awful lot of good things going on.” Among the findings was the impressive activity of the local YMCA Canteen, which reportedly served over a million meals during its six years of operation.

The team at the Kingsclere Local History Association provided approximately 450 meals daily to troops stationed nearby and to regiments passing through the area. This included support for the numerous convoys preparing for D-Day in June 1944, when Allied forces launched their invasion of Normandy.

“All of this has kind of been forgotten,” Martin stated, emphasizing the importance of remembering the village’s wartime role. “Kingsclere really played its part.”

The commemorative publication is available for £8 at Swan Street Stores or can be ordered through eBay and via email at [email protected]. This initiative not only preserves the memory of Kingsclere’s wartime contributions but also serves as a valuable resource for future generations.