Home Guard.

[von Poop]

Pottering through the always interesting Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's Military Guys.. I noticed this:

And it occurs to me that I know next to nothing about American Civil defence during the war, not much joy on the internet either.

It seems many National Guard formations were absorbed into the 'mainstream' army, were those left behind envisioned in a similar role as the Home guard? Did the militia system kick off? Nationally or locally organised? 'Citizens service corps' mentioned on the poster but this appears to be more of a 'dig for victory' type of organisation?

Any tips appreciated.
Cheers,
Adam.

[sapper]

The Home Guard.
I don't think anyone here that has not experienced it can ever realise just what great danger this Land was in, we had been driven out of Europe and had left everything behind.

One Division was re-armed. Just one, and that was "Monty's Ironsides" all the arms that could be found where used to equip this one div.

There was nothing else. had Hitler come by Paras? I dont think we could have stopped him..Why? Plain and simple, we had nothing to stop him with....Nothing

Those days were days when Great Britain could have vanished for ever. It was a dire time, and we knew it. dads army may be good for a laugh now (I loved the show) But at that time it was deadly serious.
Never in the countries history, have the Nation pulled together like they did at that time. They worked every moment they could to produce the planes and arms we needed.
My life was a constant round of long hours, and a quick dash back to change into uniform before the Night Blitz started. then out half the night,

Waterloo road club, opened up so the lads out at night could get a drink. When I look back I wonder how we managed it.
Sapper

You were young and fighting for your existence Brian. My grandmother worke 12 hour shifts in the RO Factory, then spent at least another 2 hours on the train and walking through fields to get there and back. That's of course if there wasn't an air raid which lengthened the time considerably. I know she did this 7 days a week without a break, then helped to keep house at home as well.
I couldn't do it, but then again I don't have the threat of invasion hanging over me.

Thank you.

[Owen]

Poet and radio broadcaster Z A Bokhari attends bayonet drill with the rest of his colleagues in the BBC Home Guard, Bedford College. He has been granted special permission to wear a turban, rather than a forage cap.

Poet and radio broadcaster, Fusilier Z A Bokhari, is trained in the use of the Tommy gun along with his colleagues in the BBC Home Guard, Bedford College. Bokhari has been given special permission to wear a turban instead of a forage cap.

Didn't know the BBC had their own Home Guard unit.
Obviously part of the Royal Fusiliers.

Who was ZA Bokhari?
Bit confused with my Googling.
Did he go on to be Head of Pakistan radio?

[von Poop]

Some Home Guard reenactors at the very appropriate location of Osterley park a couple of weekends ago:

[Owen]

Adam
Call me dim (or anything else for that matter) but why

appropriate location of Osterley Park

What was appropiate about it?
What happened there in WW2?

EDIT OK worked it out myself.
Licensed to Kill

[von Poop]

Aside from the 'specialist' stuff mentioned in that webpage it was a major training ground for the home guard as a whole.

[Owen]

Great picture of a Home Guard unit with their home made armoured car.
Vicar sat on the running board.
South Staffs Home Guard Memories Warks

Warwick Home Guard's armoured car, which belonged to a unit commanded by the vicar of Marton, the Rev. A. Wilbraham and was apparently bult by Councillor Sam Myers,

[Kyt]

I get the feeling that it's a posed propaganda photograph rather than a 'news' photograph. The car maybe real but I doubt if the unit would have all been issued SMLEs (even Mk 1s) so early on, especially before their uniforms.

[spidge]

Don't know if this photo of the home guard vehicles has been posted before.

Have seen one but not as a group

D Day Tanks and countdown to 60th anniversary of D-Day from the Tank Museum Bovington