Home Guard - Definition and Overview

The Home Guard, originally named the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), was instituted by the British government during World War II to defend the UK in the event of an invasion by Germany. The Home Guard was comprised mainly of men who had seen active service in World War I and some who were too young to be in the regular army, or who were in reserved occupations.

The Home Guard was immortalised in the British 1960s television comedy, Dad's Army.

See also

• Photos of UK World War 2 Invasion Defences (http://www.pillboxesuk.co.uk/)
• British military history