EPW062535 ENGLAND (1939). Army campsites around Whitecliff Bay Country Club, Bembridge, from the north-west, 1939

Manylion

Pennawd	[EPW062535] Army campsites around Whitecliff Bay Country Club, Bembridge, from the north-west, 1939
Cyfeirnod	EPW062535
Dyddiad	11-August-1939
Dolen
Enw lle	BEMBRIDGE
Plwyf	BEMBRIDGE
Ardal
Gwlad	ENGLAND
Dwyreiniad / Gogleddiad	463834, 86455
Hydred / Lledred	-1.096517937851, 50.673675400599
Cyfeirnod Grid Cenedlaethol	SZ638865

Pinnau

It appears the bell tents are having kit inspection with the bedding lined up outside! Adrodd fel Amhriodol	Maurice	Thursday 5th of September 2013 08:45:05 AM
These look like 'standing camps', i.e. camps where the tents were put up for the summer and than occupied by a session of scouts, guides or whatever organisation ran the site. It saved a lot of money on every troop or company having to have there own kit, but lost some of the interest in that putting up and taking down the tent was not part of the camping experience. The big tents would be the 'cook house', dining and communal areas. No doubt great fun was had by many! Adrodd fel Amhriodol	Maurice	Thursday 5th of September 2013 08:43:34 AM

Cyfraniadau Grŵp

I agree with Maurice that this appears to be a standing camp, probably just for the summer and most likely scouts or guides but not an Army camp.

Taken in August 1939 and the storm clouds or war were already in place with regular and territorial units already being mobilised. These tents would show out too well to be military and the Isle of Wight was not traditionally used by military units for training.

flubber

Friday 1st of November 2013 06:34:13 PM