East Riding Dads Army Was Ready To Repel German Invaders

During the Second World War, every man, woman and child in the country did their bit to keep Adolf Hitler’s armies from invading mainland Britain, but it is perhaps the Home Guard that has earned the greatest affection for doing this, owed in a large part to the classic BBC comedy, Dad’s Army.

These men, who were deemed too old or physically unfit for the regular army, bravely stood guard, ready for action should the unthinkable happen and the Germans invade.

No corner of the country was left unprotected and even the defence of small rural areas in the East Riding were covered in minute detail by ‘Dad’s Army’. Documents recently deposited with the East Riding Archives and Local Studies Service at The Treasure House, Beverley, reveal how one Home Guard battalion was prepared to defend the East Yorkshire village of Woodmansey from any prospective German invasion.

The papers of Sergeant Charles Derrick Massey contain information that detail how No.3 Platoon ‘A’ Company, the 3rd East Riding Battalion of the Home Guard had made a defence plan to try and repel Nazi forces, should they ever converge on Woodmansey. The defence of isolated rural areas around Woodmansey, from ‘Horror Bog Farm’ to ‘German Nook Lane’, were paid very serious attention.

An ‘appreciation’ of ‘factors effecting attainment of object’ was drawn up on 27 March 1943 to assess how well equipped the area of Woodmansey was to defend itself against the enemy. Sergeant Massey had considered four courses of action, which included denying the enemy passage through the village and destroying small enemy formations. An assessment was made of food supplies, communications, ammunition and where to send any casualties.

Sam Bartle, collections officer, said: “Sergeant Massey believed that the Germans would either make a coastal landing, from where they would converge on Hull, or a paratrooper assault from the air to the west of Woodmansey and march on Hull from there.”

“Thankfully, there was never any need for Sergeant Massey to put his plan into action, but it is reassuring to know that the Home Guard were ready and waiting to help defend the country from enemy invasion.”

Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for rural issues and cultural services, said: “The papers of Sergeant Massey make for a fascinating read and go a long way in helping us understand what our ancestors went through during those dark days of the Second World War.

“Thankfully mainland Britain was never invaded and Sergeant Massey’s plans never needed to be put into action, but it is comforting to know that, should the unthinkable of happened, the brave men of the Home Guard would have taken the fight to the enemy.”

For more information call (01482) 392794 or visit the Treasure House, Champney Road, Beverley.