Home Guard Collection

Dads Army actors at the opening of a new exhibition about the real Dads Army - the Home Guard at the Imperial War Museum Left to right are Private Godfrey played by Arnold Ridley

The Sutton Coalfield Battalion of the Warwickshire Home Guard paraded for inspection

Billingshurst Home Guard Commander Changing, 1942
Photography by George Garland. Garland Collection West Sussex Record Office. RefNo: Garland N22002

Members of the Home Guard seen here firing Z Battery short range anti aircraft missiles. July 1942

Anti aircraft machine gun on a submarine boat. These machine guns were used for close range use, as the war planes got closer and closer to their targets. Picture taken during training

The 13th Battalion Home Guard at a rifle shoot at Liddington, c. 1942
The 13th Battalion Home Guard at a rifle shoot on the chalk ridge at Liddington, near Swindon

Swindon Home Guard manning an anti-aircraft gun platform, c. 1940
Swindon Works was considered a prime target for aircraft strikes during World War II

GWRs Home Guard battalions on parade at Castle Bar Park in London, c. 1940
The Home Guard was originally known as the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV). The LDV was formed in May 1940, but in August 1940 the LDV changed its name to the Home Guard

Standing down parade of 13th Battalion Home Guard, Swindon Works, 1944
By the end of 1944 the threat of invasion from Germany became unlikely and it was decided that the Home Guard could be stood down

Presentation of the Wiltshire Home Guard in 1944
This photograph shows the presentation of an award to Home Guard member Mr C Wheeler in April 1944

Celebration military glories of Castelbarcos
DGA756093 Celebration military glories of Castelbarcos, fresco, home guards, Castle of Avio, Sabbionara d'Avio, Trentino- Alto Adige, Italy

Rocket projector drill for the Home Guard during the Second World War. West Midlands. 5th July 1942

The Suffolk Regiment with the B. E. F. (The British Expeditionary Force)
The Suffolk Regiment with the B.E.F. (The British Expeditionary Force). Pictures in the mess, having refreshments

Picture taken at Number 56 (Woolwich) Squadron - air Training Corps

Womens Home Guard on parade at St Benedicts Square in Lincoln during the Second World War. 15th May 1944

The folk of London on behalf of all Britain cheered and said "Well Done"
The folk of London on behalf of all Britain cheered and said " Well Done" as the Home Guard marched through the capital on the stand down parade

Home Guard armoured train with a 6-pounder gun mounted in the front. Location unknown apart from that is is in England. Picture circa 20th February 1944

A squad of the Home Guard prepare to deal with an "invader"
A squad of the Home Guard prepare to deal with an " invader" by means of a Molotov cocktail during training exercises in the Dover and Folkestone areas of Kent during the Second World War

British Parachute Squadron (actual regiment unknown) training group. Picture taken 2nd March 1942

Messerschmitt plane downed in the waters around Dover, Kent, during the July to October 1940, Battle of Britain. Picture taken 24th September 1940

The Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) under instruction for a drill. Caption suggest the male is Sergeant Withers. Picture taken 3rd October 1941

Troops in Bridport, Devon, are entertained in a mobile theatre. Picture taken 27th March 1941

Miss Edith Care of Evesham. Once a waitress, but now working for the ATS (The Auxiliary Territorial Service ) at the Western Command Ordinance Factory. Picture taken 5th November 1942

Dr Eduard Outrata, the Czechoslovakia Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, accompanied by Madam Outrata, visits South Wales this week. They are watching a lady operating a machine

Home Guard Motor Transport Company, Ulster Home Guard. November 13th 1942

People of James Reckitt Avenue, Hull, Yorkshire, look as the men dig the garden. It is likely that they are digging to build an air raid shelter

Armoured vehicles of the local Home Guard are flung across the High Street of a un-named South Wales village as a temporary road block. Circa 1942

A regiment from Wales during training in World War Two. It is not clear what
A regiment from Wales during training in World War Two

Picture shows The East Yorkshire Regiment, at Whitby, Yorkshire

One of the most up to date mobile canteens in the country. The canteen aquired by The Liverpool Gas Company

A military procession of army personnel passing through the streets of Hull or nearby area. Picture shows The Bren Gun Carrier. Serial number T33548 number 41, passing a local hotel

Picture shows a red hot Bren gun carrier track links being hardened to withstand the constant wear

Anti aircraft gun and army unit in the Hull and Yorkshire, or East Riding, area of England during World War Two

R A O C men learning the recovering of capsizes tanks at a Midlands training centre. England. The Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) was a corps of the British Army

Rocket projector drill for the Home Guard during the Second World War. West Midlands. Circa 1942

Television programme - Dads Army - A scene from the Dads Army film 28 September 1972 circa - The men charge in to action with pitchforks, broomsticks and spears - Arthur Lowe as Captain Mainwaring

Civic thanks from the Lord Mayor as rescue workers search the rubble in Bean Street, Hull for survivors following a particularly heavy air raid on the city. 15th March 1941

Dads Army, the Home Guard, in Bristol and Somerset between 1940 and 1942

Dads Army, the Home Guard, pictures taken in Bristol and Somerset between 1940 and 1942

The blitz course, a formidable exercise for the Reading Home Guard members

At Hoylake Home Guard garden fete one of the popular side shoes was a trip on the Breeches Buoy, manned by the Wallasey Sea Cadets. 24th May 1943

Former World War Two Members of the Home Guard line up for inspection. Circa 1972

War, Invasion. OPS: Volunteers from a village marching to their positions. 3rd July 1940

Dads Army actors at the opening of a new exhibition about the real Dads Army - the Home Guard at the Imperial War Museum, Left to right are Private Godfrey played by Arnold Ridley

Actoes Hamish Roughead (left) and John Bardon who take over the roles of Frazer and Walker for the West End stage production of the popular television comedy series Dads Army August 1975

Dads Army actor Arnold Ridley who plays Private Godfrey in the popular wartime comedy series

Arthur Lowe dressed up as St George during filming for the episode Knights of Madness in the final series of the popular wartime comedy television programme Dads Army

Poster, Volunteer For National Service, late 1940. Creator: E Paul
Poster, Volunteer For National Service, late 1940

Försvaret Främst (Defense primarily), 1914. Creator: Widholm, Gunnar (1882-1953)
Forsvaret Framst (Defense primarily), 1914. Private Collection

Home Guard - Organization of Government Clerks, D.C. 1917. Rear view of President Woodrow Wilson

Home Guard - Organization of Government Clerks, D.C. 1917. Rear view of President Woodrow Wilson

Home Guard - Organization of Government Clerks, D.C. Wilson, Back To Camera, Rev. 1917. Rear view of President Woodrow Wilson

Home Guard - Organization of Government Clerks, D.C. [President Woodrow] Wilson, Back To Camera, Rev. 1917

Members of Britains Home Guard in training
6015305 Members of Britains Home Guard in training, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, World War II, 1940 (b/w photo) by English Photographer

Home Guard training in the construction of temporary and pontoon bridges whilst on manoeuvres. Circa 1941

Home Guard being given instruction in the Enfield Rifle whilst on training and manoeuvres. Circa 1941

Home Guard seen here in the swimming pool fully clothed during training and manoeuvres. Circa 1941

Home Guard seen here being drilled whilst on training and manoeuvres exercise. Circa 1941

Members of a Midland village Local Defence Volunteer organisation (LDV) receiving their orders during an exercise. 3rd July 1940

General de Gaulle shakes the hand of a Home Guard officer, Lt-Col. John H. Lewis. Looking on are the Lord Mayor, Norman Tiptaft, and also Col. Piggott

A crowd gathered in Victoria-square welcomed General de Gaulle, Commander of the Free French Forces, to Birmingham

General de Gaulle, Commander of the Free French Forces, arriving at the banqueting room at the Council House, Birmingham

Home Guard Round Up Enemy"in Birmingham All-Night Test
Home Guard Round Up Enemy" in Birmingham All-Night Test. Incidents during the mock invasion operations in the Birmingham area 12th July 1941

Picture shows Mrs Annie Kelly, boring a shaft of submarine. She is the wife of a crane driver in the same factory. Picture taken in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, England. Picture taken 4th October 1944

From dusk to dawn, at an important un-named works in Birmingham, the works Home Guard man a specially built look-out tower

Scene at the cook house at the Reading Home Guard camp in Berkshire during the Second World War. 15th June 1942

Home Guard on parade in Lincolnshire during the Second World War. 1941

Members of the Reading Home Guard during the Second World War. Circa 1942

A member of the Home Guard looks north across the River Thames

Bren guns being used in anti-air exercises by British Home Guard. August 1941

R. A. F. Flying Training Command train Army glider pilots who take their places in Airborne
R.A.F. Flying Training Command train Army glider pilots who take their places in Airborne Divisions. Army pilots in the making at a Glider Training School. A glider pupil pilot

Bren carriers come off landing craft during an exercise in Scotland. Picture taken circa 10th July 1941

Home Guard, West Lancs area. Practice at a North West Fort. January 1941

A demonstration in the method of dealing with an enemy tank by a platoon of the Home Guard to members of the Cheshire unit in Cheshire. 1st December 1940

Members of the Home Guard in the North West area who are undergoing a weeks camp training

Members of the Home Guard in Liverpool, watching a demonstration by the army in Anti Tank Warfare. The soldier throws a Molatov Cocktail into the flaming tank. Picture taken 19th August 1941

Lord Harrowby taking the salute at a parade of Walsall L. D. V. 19th July 1940
Lord Harrowby taking the salute at a parade of Walsall L.D.V. 19th July 1940

Men of A Company 3rd Battalion, Birmingham Home Guard, paraded at the Apollo Cinema, Pype Hayes in front of Captain S. A. Godsall MC 4th August 1940

Members of the L. D. V. seen here completing a course of intensive training to prepare them
Members of the L.D.V

Captain S. A. Godsall MC addresses the men of A Company 3rd Battalion, Birmingham Home Guard, before they paraded at the Apollo Cinema, Pype Hayes 4th August 1940

Home Guard volunteers for the L. D. V. at Wolseley Motors Birmingham factory parading
Home Guard volunteers for the L.D.V. at Wolseley Motors Birmingham factory parading through the works gate. 13th July 1940

Inside a British coastal Sea Fort. Picture shows the soldiers manning the defence gun. Location unknown. North of England is suggested on the caption. Picture taken circa 17th February 1942

A. T. S. (The Auxiliary Territorial Service) telephonists in a Command Post receiving news
A.T.S. (The Auxiliary Territorial Service) telephonists in a Command Post receiving news of an air attack. Miss J. Houston (right - from Liverpool) and Miss A

Home Guards in North Wales lowering a stretcher down a cliff face. Picture taken 10th November 1943

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EDITORS COMMENTS

The Sutton Coalfield Battalion of the Warwickshire Home Guard paraded for inspection, showcasing their unwavering dedication to protecting their community during wartime. With determination etched on their faces, these brave men stood tall, ready to defend their homeland. In 1942, the Billingshurst Home Guard Commander changed hands, symbolizing the continuity and adaptability of this vital force. Stepping into his new role with pride and responsibility, he led his troops with unwavering resolve in the face of adversity. Amidst the chaos of war in 1940, Swindon's Home Guard manned an anti-aircraft gun platform. Their vigilant eyes scanned the skies as they stood united against enemy threats. These courageous individuals exemplified resilience and bravery in times of uncertainty. Sheffield Yorkshire witnessed a powerful display of unity when reviewing its Home Guard in 1941. Shoulder to shoulder, these ordinary citizens transformed into extraordinary defenders as they prepared themselves for any challenge that may come their way. At Liddington in 1942, members of the 13th Battalion Home Guard showcased their marksmanship skills at a rifle shoot. Precision and accuracy were paramount as they honed their abilities to protect what mattered most – home and country. GWR's Home Guard battalions paraded proudly at Castle Bar Park in London during 1940. The sight was awe-inspiring; a testament to ordinary people rising above themselves to become guardians of peace amidst turmoil. As World War II drew closer towards its end in 1944, Swindon Works bid farewell to its valiant soldiers from the 13th Battalion Home Guard during a standing down parade. Their duty fulfilled but not forgotten; these heroes left behind an indelible legacy within their community. In Wiltshire during that same year, the presentation of the Wiltshire Home Guard served as a reminder that every contribution counted towards safeguarding freedom.