We celebrated the 80th anniversary of VE Day at our monthly coffee morning. It gave us the perfect opportunity to sound a World War 2 air raid siren and to share some memorabilia of local World War 2 history. Thank you to Vivien Boulton for bringing along her late father’s cap, medals and photograph. Who knew soldiers were billeted at Embleton Hall.
Vivien wrote, "My Father, Norman Richards was enlistad on 5" May 1939 to the 11615 Field Regiment Royal Artillary TA. Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent as a Gunner aged 27. He was commissioned + appointed Second Leutenant on the 22nd July 1939. After attendin training camps and gunnery courses he was drafted overseas. This was subsequently cancelled due to the fact that his mother was French. Not many of his Regiment - shown in the picture returned home. He is on the right, top row. He spent some time in Northumberland - Longframlington as a gunnery Instructor. The soldiers had ther huts on the Village Green near. the tank turn (which, is still there today) + the officers resided at Embleton Hall where we understand that the cellars were bricked up to prerent them from helping themselves! wives of soldiers + officers came + stayed in Longframlington including my mother. Local families put them up. He tented the war having reached the rank of Major".