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DUNCAN McGUFFIE came in 1941 to farm 120 acres of land on the
outskirts of Alcester (this included what is now Jim Adams' horticultural estate, as well
as land nearby in Kinwarton) and the next year wrote about his experiences in 'Spring
Onions' (Faber & Faber). There are reminiscences about war-time conditions which make
the book (not easily obtainable) a useful historical commentary. He did what many men in
reserved occupations did -- he joined the Home Guard, which, even in rural areas, had
duties to perform. One morning a 'breathless police man brought the message, Parachute
landed at Coughton' to the Home Guard H.Q. Three members raced in 'Charlie's little car' *
to Coughton, where a farmer said he had seen him: - 'Could have shot him if I'd had a
gun'. For some time they found nothing, 'then suddenly they saw a large, greyish-white
object billowing among some trees in a hedgerow'. They approached stealthily, only to find
a deflated barrage balloon.
*'Charlie' was the landlord of Alcester's Swan Hotle
Alcester & District Local History Society