Are there any records for the Home Guard?
What do I need to know before I start? The Home Guard was originally formed as the Local Defence Volunteers in 1940 and was responsible for guarding coastal areas and factories from invasion. It was disbanded in 1945. Most Home Guard records are still with the Ministry of Defence.
Did the Home Guard get medals?
The Home Guard was part of the British Army and, as such, any member of the Home Guard has the same medal entitlement as a member of the regular army. Unfortunately as the Home Guard did not serve overseas the only medal which they were definitely entitled to was the Defence Medal.
Was there a Home Guard in ww1?
The Home Guard Over a million men enrolled, which provided a welcome activity for older veterans of War War One, though in the event of invasion, their military effectiveness would have been questionable.
Where can I find WW1 soldiers records for free?
Free to search online. The record of a location of a grave or memorial inscription is held by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). The register of war dead for the First and Second World Wars is available to search for free online.
Where can I find records of Second World War Home Guard?
Along with most records, documents and materials relating to the Second World War, Home Guard records are predominantly held by the Ministry of Defence at this time. Collections relating to some individual units and battalions can be found through other sources, such as the Forces War Records database and the National Archives.
What did the Home Guard do in WW1?
Originally called “Local Defence Volunteers” or LDV, the Home Guard’s role was to defend British coastal areas, airfields, factories and explosives stores in the case of invasion by German forces and their allies.
Are Home Guard Auxiliary units covered in forces war records?
Home Guard Auxiliary Units have previously been covered in Issue 1 of Forces War Records Magazine.
Where can I find a service history of the Home Guard?
For service histories of members of the Home Guard other than Durham you can apply using the forms on GOV.UK. These papers are held by the Ministry of Defence, not The National Archives. What do I need to know before I start?