Uniform Home Guard (United Kingdom)

two local defence volunteers receiving instruction on either pattern 1914 or m1917 enfield rifle. 2 volunteers wearing denim overalls on ordinary clothes, 1 of them wearing collar , tie underneath. note field service caps, ldv armlets , civilian shoes worn without gaiters. sergeant instructor wearing standard battle dress.

on 22 may 1940, 8 days after formation of ldv, announced war office 250,000 field service caps distributed first part of uniform of new force , khaki brassards or armlets being manufactured, each carrying letters ldv in black. in meantime, ldv units improvised own brassards whatever materials available; local women s voluntary service branches asked produce these, using old puttees donated veterans. british army used loose-fitting work clothes called overalls, denim made of khaki-coloured cotton twill fabric , consisted of short jacket or blouse , trousers. cut same style as, , designed worn over, 1938 pattern battle dress. announced 90,000 sets of denim overalls released military stores @ once , more issued manufactured. on 25 june, anthony eden announced in house of commons ldv uniform intended consist of 1 suit of overalls of design similar of battle dress, field service cap, , armlet bearing letters l.d.v. . on 30 july 1940, eden further announced home guard (as ldv had been renamed) issued military boots supplies became available.

the issue of uniforms proceeded owing shortages , need re-equip , enlarge army following fall of france. on 14 august, eden announced supply of material make denim overalls insufficient , regular battle dress released home guard interim measure. end of 1940, cabinet had approved expenditure of £1 million supply of battle dress whole force. on 20 august 1940, further announced blankets being issued , intention provide home guard greatcoats; however, winter approached there many complaints home guardsmen had patrol or stand sentry without benefit of uniform overcoat. therefore, large cape made of heavy serge fabric hastily designed , issued in interim. there no prospect of being able provide sufficient sets of 1937 pattern web equipment (including belt, ammunition pouches , haversack) home guard, simplified equipment set made leather , canvas produced. particularly unpopular awkward leather anklets issued in place of webbing gaiters worn army. lack of provision of steel helmets keenly felt, home guardsmen required on guard duty during blitz when risk of being hit shell splinter high; situation gradually rectified.

northern ireland

in northern ireland provincial government had placed ldv under control of royal ulster constabulary. police held large stocks of black cloth in reserve, use ulster special constabulary in event of large-scale civil insurgency. black cloth made uniforms in style of denim overalls many clothing factories in province. ulster home guard kept black uniforms until battle dress began issued in april 1941.