SOUTHERN RAILWAY HOME GUARD MEMBERS

Someone came into the museum the other day researching the Southern Railway Home Guard Unit. Apparently the SR unit won an inter-unit rifle challenge between themselves and a Canadian army unit. Could this be it?

It looks like the Valley allotments and top of the Valley with Peacehaven golf course in the background.

Thought you might like the following transcribed from the 'Surrey Advertiser - Saturday 17 April 1943'
SERGT.-MAJOR W. E. RANSOM The death occurred in Woking Hospital on Saturday night’ of Sergt.- Major Wm Edwin Ransom, M.M., of El Muntar. Woodbrldge Road. Guildford. He had been taken ill the previous day while on duty with the Home Guard (Southern Railway) and never fully regained consciousness. Known to his many friends as “Billy,” Mr. Ransom, who was 52, was the son of the late Mr. E. Ransom, of Mary Road, Guildford, and attended Charlotteville School. Shortly after the outbreak of the last war he joined the 2/sth Batt., The Queen's Royal Regt.. and when the 2/4th Composite Battalion was formed he went with them to Gallipoli and was there during the evacuation. He afterwards served in Palestine, taking part in two Battles of Gaza, and winning the Military Medal at El Muntar. After the Palestine campaign Mr. Ransom went to Belgium, and was with the Army of Occupation.  Subsequently, Mr. Ransom was employed by Billing and Sons, Ltd., until a few years ago. He was working at Epsom when this war broke out and he enlisted in the City of London Sharpshooters (Tank Corps). He was sent to Bisley as musketry instructor. and was then appointed sergeant major, permanent staff instructor to the Home Guard. A fine marksman, Mr. Ransom was a valued member of the Guildford Rifle Club. He was also a keen footballer, and was goalkeeper for the 2nd XI of the Guildford Amateur (Pinks) Club, on whose committee he served. Mr. Ransom leaves a widow and one daughter, who is a corporal in the ATS.
The funeral took place at Guildford Cemetery on Thursday, the Rev. F. L. F. Rees, of Nottingham (brother-in-law of Sergt.-Major Ransom), and the Rev. E. E. J. Martin officiating. The mourners were Mrs. Ransom (widow). Miss Hazel Ransom (daughter), Mesdames Rees. Boorer, Tyrell. and Harris (sisters). Mr. Ernest Ransom (brother), Mr. and Mrs. John Ransom (brother and sister-in-law). A large number of wreaths included those from the relatives and friends and from the Commanding Officer, battalion headquarters staff. 12th Batt. Railway Home Guard; officers and N.C.O.’s of various companies of the Railway Home Guard; Guildford Rifle Club; Old Comrades, 2/4th Batt. The Queen’s Royal Regiment, and from another Queen’s battalion; and the- Hand-in-Hand Society. Mrs. Ransom and family - sincerely thank their numerous friends for sympathy in their great loss and also those who sent wreaths.

Could the gentleman in the back row with glasses be Dick Sayers ?