On 14 May 1940, Britain’s Secretary of State for War Anthony Eden made a broadcast calling for men between the ages of 17 and 65 to enrol in a new force, the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV) to defend the country against the expected German invasion of Britain. By July, nearly 1.5 million men had enrolled – far outreaching the 150,000 the Government expected to volunteer.

Beginning life as a rag-tag militia, the LDV initially had to make do without uniforms, wearing a simple armband bearing the organisations initials. The LDV similarly struggled for modern weaponry – shotguns and improvised weapons such as golf clubs, crowbars and industrial tools were not uncommon. The LDV evolved into the Home Guard, becoming a well-equipped and well-drilled force.

Disparagingly referred to as ‘Look, Duck & Vanish’, the LDV were renamed to the more inspiring Home Guard. Although the German invasion of their country didn’t materialise this proud people’s army – the original ‘Dad’s Army’ continued to stand until it was disbanded in late 1945.

he Home Guard was considered the last line of defense for Britain during WWII. The idea of an armed and organized volunteer army ready to repel an invasion seems sound, but the reality was far from it. Many of the chaotic undertones of the show Dad’s Army had moorings in the real history of the force(Warlord Games “Dad’s Army figures will appear in a few more days”).

While the Home Guard was never expected to beat the German forces, they were meant to hold them off until the actual army arrived.

During the war, the Home Guard would lost 1,206 members while on duty. These members perished during air attacks or passed away from the injuries they sustained.

In 1943, it was becoming evident that a German invasion of Britain was unlikely. The members of the Home Guard started to feel that there was little purpose to their continued service. Absenteeism was becoming more common.

Consequently, in 1944, the Home Guard was stood down. It was officially disbanded at the end of 1945, although its decline had started in the years before.

The figures are the Warlord Games “British LDV Section”.