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Help identifying what my great great grandfather did?

Discussion in 'What Granddad did in the War' started by Bryony, Sep 30, 2022.

  1. Bryony

    Bryony New Member

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    My nan was born in 1945, her mother was a nurse in London and her father also worked in the hospital.

    We know next to nothing about him - we believe his name was William Wilson and he served in WWI. He apparently had a wife and 2 sons ages 10 and 12 that were evacuated to Wales. In WWII he was supposedly too old to fight, so helped out in the hospitals in London in some way.

    All we have of him is the attached photo. He is the third standing from the left. Apologies if this is not a WWII photo, I'm not certain!

    Is anyone able to help identify anything at all from this image that might help in finding more information about him? Anything at all would be greatly appreciated!

    Many thanks.
     

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    Bryony, Sep 30, 2022
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  2. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    Welcome to the forum. The photo looks like to me possibly air raid wardens or a sort of Home Guards ?
    I'm sure someone here will be of more help.
    You can also post the picture on our sister site WW2Talk.com .
    2Talk is centrally British and European ww2 so that may help.
     
    Biak, Sep 30, 2022
    #2
  3. Temujin

    Temujin Active Member

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    Can you give us any other info. Wife’s name? Where they may have lived? Anything at all
     
    Temujin, Sep 30, 2022
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  4. Owen

    Owen O

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    Owen, Sep 30, 2022
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    LRusso216 likes this.
  5. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    I think you're right. Good photo.
     
    LRusso216, Sep 30, 2022
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  6. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    OpanaPointer, Sep 30, 2022
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  7. T. A. Gardner

    T. A. Gardner Genuine Chief

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    He would be part of what was known in London, and other large cities, as Air Raid Precautions (ARP) volunteers. The SP on the helmet is for "Stretcher Party." ARP were civilian volunteers helping in various ways with the aftermath of air raids. Some directed civilians to shelters, handed out food and drink during raids, assisted firefighters and rescue parties, etc. They saw service from the 1940 blitz through very late in the war including the V-1 and 2 attacks.
     
    T. A. Gardner, Sep 30, 2022
    #7

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