What was the Home Guard?

During the Second World War in Britain, individuals who were exempt from normal military service could volunteer instead with the Home Guard – an armed civilian militia prepared to defend the country in the event of a German invasion. At its peak, the Home Guard had 1.7 million members.

When was the Home Guard disbanded?

1945
The Home Guard was originally formed as the Local Defence Volunteers in 1940 and was responsible for guarding coastal areas and factories from invasion. It was disbanded in 1945.

Was there a Home Guard in Scotland?

The Home Guard in the area were attached to the Second Battalion Royal Scots and wore the Royal Scots badge with Tartan hackle. As well as patrolling and being on sentry duty, the platoon manned roadblocks in the area. I enjoyed the weekend camps: they were great fun though, obviously with serious intent.

Did the Home Guard do anything?

What was the job of the Home Guard? The Home Guard defended key targets like factories, explosive stores, beaches and sea fronts. At night they patrolled fields in which the enemy gliders or paratroops might land. No one expected them to beat well-trained German soldiers.

Did Home Guard ever fight?

Active military combat They are credited with shooting down numerous Luftwaffe aircraft and the V-1 flying bombs that followed them in the summer of 1944. The Home Guard’s first official kill was shot down on Tyneside in 1943. The Home Guard in Northern Ireland also took part in gun battles with the IRA.

What was the average age of the Home Guard?

Far from being the aged pensioners of Dad’s Army myth, most of the Home Guard were men in reserved occupations or teenagers awaiting call-up, with an average age of around 35 years.

Was the Home Guard paid?

Members of the Home Guard still did their regular jobs and then drilled and patrolled around their work. They were not paid.