Wolverhampton women in wartime

Lecturer to give talk on Home Guard battalion.

An academic from the University of Wolverhampton is to give an open talk on the role of women in a Home Guard battalion during the Second World War as part of an event aimed at encouraging local people to share their wartime memories.

Dr Phylomena Badsey, a lecturer on both the BA (Hons) War Studies and MA Conflict Studies courses at the University, will be airing her research at Bantock House Museum in Wolverhampton on Tuesday 3 September where she will be analysing the active role of women in the Home Guard, notably in the 22nd South Staffs Battalion based at Bantock House between 1940-1945.

On the weekend of 7th-8th September Bantock House will be hosting their 1940s Weekend, an event with music, stalls, displays, activities and fun for all the family.

Speaking about her talk, Dr Badsey said: “I’ll be discussing the 22nd South Staffordshire Battalion, Home Guard – G Section who were based at Bantock House, the Intelligence and Communication Centre for the local region. My particular area of research is women and warfare, and my talk focuses on the very active role of women in the Home Guard. The comedy series “Dad’s Army” does not reflect accurately either the role of women in the Home Guard nor how very professional and well trained the Home Guard became from late 1941 onwards.”

For more on Dr Badsey’s talk and future activities at Bantock House, visit http://www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/extended-events-view/