Home Guard (United Kingdom)

Home Guard (United Kingdom) was a defence organisation of the British Army during the Second World War. The Home Guard was formed on 14 May 1940 by Anthony Eden, the Secretary of State for War, with the aim of defending England, Scotland, and Wales from potential German Army invasion, following the Battle of France and the Dunkirk evacuation. The Home Guard was often referred to as Dad's Army, a nickname that was later popularised by the BBC sitcom of the same name, which featured Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring and John Le Mesurier as Sergeant Wilson. The Home Guard played a significant role in the defence of the United Kingdom, working closely with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.

● History

The Home Guard was formed in response to the Battle of Britain and the threat of a German invasion of Britain, with Winston Churchill and Lord Kitchener playing key roles in its establishment. The organisation was based on the Volunteer Training Corps of the First World War, which had been formed by Richard Haldane and Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener. The Home Guard was initially composed of men who were too old or too young to join the regular British Army, as well as those with medical conditions that made them unfit for front-line service, such as Rudyard Kipling and P.G. Wodehouse. The Home Guard was involved in several key events, including the Battle of Crete and the Dieppe Raid, and worked closely with the Special Operations Executive and the Secret Intelligence Service. The Home Guard was also supported by the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service and the Auxiliary Territorial Service, which were led by Princess Elizabeth and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.

● Organisation

The Home Guard was organised into battalions, each of which was responsible for defending a specific area of the country, such as the Home Counties and the West Country. The battalions were further divided into companies, platoons, and sections, with each section being led by a non-commissioned officer such as a sergeant or a corporal. The Home Guard was commanded by General Sir Edmund Ironside and later by General Sir James Steele, who had previously served in the Boer War and the First World War. The Home Guard worked closely with the Civil Defence Service and the Air Raid Precautions, which were led by Herbert Morrison and John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley. The Home Guard also had links with the Boy Scouts Association and the Girl Guides Association, which were led by Robert Baden-Powell and Olave Baden-Powell.

● Equipment and Uniform

The Home Guard was initially poorly equipped, with many members having to provide their own uniforms and weapons, such as the Lee-Enfield rifle and the Sten gun. However, as the war progressed, the Home Guard received more equipment, including tanks and artillery, such as the Churchill tank and the QF 25-pounder. The Home Guard also developed its own uniform, which consisted of a khaki tunic and trousers, a beret, and a set of badges and insignia, such as the Home Guard badge and the LDV badge. The Home Guard worked closely with the Royal Ordnance Factory and the Ministry of Supply, which were led by Andrew Duncan and Leslie Burgin.

● Operations

The Home Guard was involved in a range of operations, including patrols, guard duty, and training exercises, such as the Home Guard exercise and the LDV exercise. The Home Guard also played a key role in the defence of Britain, working closely with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy to defend against German air raids and invasion attempts, such as the Battle of Britain and the Channel Dash. The Home Guard was also involved in intelligence gathering and sabotage operations, working closely with the Special Operations Executive and the Secret Intelligence Service, which were led by Frank Nelson and Stewart Menzies. The Home Guard worked closely with the MI5 and the MI6, which were led by Guy Liddell and John Sinclair.

● Notable Members

The Home Guard had many notable members, including Noël Coward, George Formby, and J.B. Priestley, who all served in the Entertainments National Service Association. Other notable members included C.P. Snow, Graham Greene, and Evelyn Waugh, who all served in the Intelligence Corps. The Home Guard also had links with the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Ministry of Information, which were led by Lord Reith and Duff Cooper. The Home Guard worked closely with the Red Cross and the St John Ambulance, which were led by Princess Mary and Queen Alexandra.

● Legacy

The Home Guard played a significant role in the defence of the United Kingdom during the Second World War, and its legacy continues to be celebrated today, with many re-enactment groups and historical societies dedicated to preserving its history, such as the Home Guard Association and the Dad's Army Museum. The Home Guard has also been commemorated in a range of films, television programmes, and books, including the BBC sitcom Dad's Army and the film Dad's Army (2016), which starred Bill Nighy and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The Home Guard has also been recognised through a range of awards and honours, including the Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939-1945, which were awarded to members of the Home Guard who served during the Second World War. Category:British Army