BARKWAY HOME GUARD, 1942
BACK ROW: Charlie Scripps, Sid Brown, Jim Gray, Fred Brown, Arthur Bysouth, Jamie Bonfield, Chris Byatt, John Welsh, Arch Bentley, Alf Chapman, George Bentley SECOND FROM BACK: John Dodkin, Arthur Mansfield, Jim Scripps, Henry Scripps, Joe Dodkin, Ted Coxall, Tom Young, Tom Ansell, Will Strange, Alf Byatt, Charlie Young, Neil Bentley SECOND ROW: Fred Dodkin, Harry Scripps, Frank Scripps, Mr Field, Mr Watson, Major Darling, Mr Henley, Will Westgate, Bert Dellow, George Crouch FRONT ROW: Mervyn Bentley, Stan Broom, Charlie Crouch, Reg Gray, Freddie Brown, Fred Nottage, Willie Crouch, Albert Crouch, Tony Barker
In the last two years of the war there was apparently constant traffic coming through the village, large transporters carrying bombs to the Nuthampstead airfield. The Wheatsheaf Inn was a favourite destination for American servicemen. A room was put aside for their use, and of their local companions. Local children used to go over to the base to be treated to sweets. Mr Whiteside at the village post office kept a loaded pistol in the shop drawer. He explained that it was in case any American servicemen attempted to rob him!