Members of the Home Guard - 1.5 million local recruits, mainly older men ineligible for military service, whose role from 1940 -1944 was to act as a secondary defence force in the event of invasion by hostile forces. They also carried out other essential tasks, guarding our coast, our military stores, airfields, carrying out patrols and fire-watch duties. Initially called the Local Defence Volunteers or LDV, they were much-maligned. (Look, Duck and Vanish!) Their role has been made famous by the hugely popular TV series 'Dad's Army', portraying them as a likeable but rather inept band who get involved in some hilarious exploits in the name of civil defence. One episode (see here) has one of my favourite comedy scenes in it... ("What is your name?" "Don't tell him, Pike!")
I like the joke!:o)
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if those men have real guns?!
Probably my favourite TV comedy of all time. My grandfather was in the LDV, due to his reserved occupation, but later switched to the Royal Observer Corps. Don't panic!
ReplyDeleteNe passerant pas.
ReplyDeleteI think WWII was the last time everyone went to war, even all who stayed home. We didn't have an LDV, but everyone did participate through defense industries, rationing, collecting bandages, and such. Now with the "all volunteer army" our wars are almost antiseptic for all except for a relatively few families. Maybe if everyone were involved it would keep us out of wars we had no business getting into in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI thought of Dad's Army the second I clapped eyes on the first photo.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos! My Dad was one!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the photo (fame at last!) i'm the one on the right with the beer in my hand and that's my mate Alan on the left.As it was a warm day we thought we would have a pint or two !! All the best Rob.
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