The fascinating discovery of a collection of British Army-issue helmets believed to have been used by a Farnham detachment of the Home Guard in the Second World War has come to light after 25 years.
The revelation came in response to a photograph of the Farnham Home Guard unit on the Peeps into the Past Facebook page.
The image featured Henry Jackson, founder of the Rural Life Centre, at the centre front and sparked the interest of an anonymous reader who, in response, disclosed a significant find – three helmets, possibly linked to the Southern Railway Home Guard, discovered in Farnham Station three decades ago.
According to the anonymous contributor, the helmets were stumbled upon during the conversion of premises, now known as the Spice Station Indian takeaway, in around 1999.
The helmets, approximately six in number, were found in a cupboard at the bottom of the stairs. The cupboard, painted over and forgotten, contained more than just helmets; it also held relics like a ‘Shunting Pole’ used to couple and uncouple freight wagons.
“I suspect it had been just forgotten about,” said the contributor, who added they had reported the discovery to South West Trains but were told they weren’t of interest, and to dispose of them.
Undeterred, the anonymous individual retained three helmets, one of which bears the inscription ‘Guard Clark Farnham’, suggesting a potential connection to the Home Guard unit.
“It is a good likelihood that ‘Guard Clark’ may be one of the people in the Home Guard picture,” the concluded.
Another of the helmets is a US 'M1' helmet, which could possibly have been a US ‘Lend Lease’ item supplied for use by the Home Guard.
If you've made any interesting Second World War-era discoveries in your cupboard or attic, get in touch by emailing us at news@farnhamherald.com