The Home Guard

In 1940 the Government formed an organisation known as the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), a force which became known as the Home Guard. Although the force was composed of men of all ages, it became more popularly known as the Dad's Army. The men in the photograph are all older men and four of them are wearing medal ribbons indicating that they were veterans of the Great War of 1914-1918. The man in the centre of the picture, Lance Corporal Percy Noble, (See Surnames L-R, 1914-18 & 1939-45) wears the cap badge of the Leicestershire Regiment. Most Home Guard units were formed into battalions and identified with county regiments. The picture dates from the late summer of 1940 - this is indicated by the types of uniforms and the armbands that were worn for a short period during those summer months. The Home Guard was stood down at the end of 1944.

The website author would like help in identifying the men in the picture. Is one of these men your father, grandfather or great-grandfather? If so, what do you know about him? If you have any information about these men please contact the website author by clicking on this link - Home Guard

Point the cursor at the head of each individual to reveal their name.