THE real Dad's Army was on parade outside Wooburn Green Village Hall back in 1943.

Platoon four C of the fourth Bucks Home Guard are pictured here in full uniform with rifles at the ready.

Ron McEvoy's father, Platoon Sergeant Reginald McEvoy, served in the Home Guard for the whole of the Second World War.

Mr McEvoy said: "My father served in the Home Guard but in the First World War he was in the 1721 Lancers. He was one of the lucky ones who survived and he then joined the Home Guard because he was slightly too old for active service in the Second World War. Long before Dad's Army was on the television my father had suggested it was a good idea. They would train with brooms instead of guns and they had a good network to find out which pubs had beer, because not all of them did at the time."

Mr McEvoy has had the picture for many years. He said: "I am sure there are a lot of local characters in this picture. Perhaps they are not all still with us but I am sure their children or grandchildren will recognise them."

He lived in Marlow during the war and can remember a bombing raid when he was about four years old.

He said: "I can remember sitting on the kitchen step and seeing the ceiling fall in, pots of home-made jam flew off the shelves. My mother thought I had been badly injured but I was just covered in strawberry jam. From what I can remember it was a very frightening experience."

If you recognise anyone or were involved contact Jenna Towler on 01494 755084

Pictured above:W Marison, A Suskin, S Grimmett, E Witney, G W West, J Summerbell, W J Marchant, G Fassnidge, E C Ash, C Bowdery, S T Printer, B E Castle, A C Bush, D Shuttle, A Burns, D Bowdery, H F Aldridge, B Flay, L/C S Pratt, Cpl H Martin, Cpl A Lewis, Cpl A H Cornwall, MM, Cpl H Rolfe, Sgt A Edgell, MC, Sgt H Joiner, Sgt A Wise, CQMS E H Seward, Lt G W G May, Lt D T L Moore, 2nd Lt J Whiting, Pl Sgt R McEvoy, Sgt A Chivers, Sgt A H Day, Cpl I R Wootton, Cpl D Board, Cpl J Healey, Cpl A Ludlow, Cpl W Allen, Sgt E Marten.

L/C L Wright, L/C A Henwood, A Locket, E Hobbs, J Burton, L/C E Bishop, K Saul, J Board, J Rackstraw, E J Cam, P Shirley, B F Cornwall, E Carter, R Nash, E Kingsnorth, R Hudson, A Wethered, J Rolfe, L/C E Fowler, W F Westbrook, W G Hibberd, E Bowler, W Atkins, C J Burgess, W J Landfear, J F Martin, A F Shepherd, C Fountain, G H Pratt, D Hook, L Woodley, R Fryer, P C Rolfe, E Terry, C S Williams, R Lomas, P Wooster, A Denham, L/C J Gardner, A Pinfold, J Flay.