More from the war: Two of the lesser known local platoons in Marlow

The recent Marlow Nostalgia columns inspired by the 80th anniversary of the start of World War Two have resulted in a large and very welcome amount of feedback, and this week I feature two local platoons about which I had very little previous knowledge.

Former Marlow resident Mike Holland now lives in Chalgrove, Oxfordshire, and is something of an expert on military history, especially the Bucks Rifle Volunteers.

He sent me the top picture (possibly previously unpublished) of the Marlow detachment of the Upper Thames Patrol, best described as the river branch of the Home Guard.

To the left of this picture, underneath a UTP cap badge is a brief official history, and below it are the names that Mike was able to provide.

Lower left, 3 members of the Middlesex 31st Battalion of the Upper Thames Patrol on a training visit to Marlow and pictured on the weir.

Ruth Bowler now lives in Cox Green and is daughter of the late Margery Davy (one of Marlow’s great characters!) and she sent me the lower centre photograph, and one which has appeared before in the Marlow Free Press, but many years ago.

It features the Bucks Battalion Mortar Platoon pictured in 1939 outside the Armoury in Institute Road, and opposite what was then the main entrance to Marlow Place, apparently, according to the sign board, up for sale at that time.

Ruth’s father Ewart (Dave) Davy is third from right, and other names Ruth is able to provide include Powell, Rockell, Pearce, Carter, Bolt, Price, Houseman.

Pauffley, Belcher, West, Bishop, and Hanson. The Captain is James Ritchie, who died at the Battle of Hazebrouck in 1940.

There is a memorial to him in Medmenham Church (lower right). My grateful thanks to Mike and Ruth for their contributions.

Contact Michael on michael@jazzfans.co or 01628 486571