Later years and disbandment Home Guard (United Kingdom)
home guard soldiers training blacker bombard anti-tank mortar in may 1943
even once threat of invasion had passed, home guard remained in existence manning guard posts , performing other duties free regular troops duties overseas. in 1942 national service act allowed compulsory enrolment units below strength. @ time, lowest rank within home guard, volunteer , renamed private match regular army usage.
it common fallacy home guard never fired shot in anger during whole of second world war. in fact individual home guardsmen helped man anti-aircraft guns far battle of britain during summer of 1940. 1943 home guard operated own dedicated batteries of anti-aircraft guns , rockets plus coastal defence artillery engaging german planes machine guns. credited shooting down numerous luftwaffe aircraft , v-1 flying bombs followed them in summer of 1944. home guard s first official kill shot down on tyneside in 1943. home guard in northern ireland took part in gun battles ira.
however following successful landings in france , drive towards germany allies, home guard formally stood down on 3 december 1944 , disbanded on 31 december 1945. male members rewarded certificate, bearing words:
in years when our country in mortal danger, (name) served (dates) gave generously of time , powers make himself ready defence force of arms , life if need be. george r.i.
aside deaths in accidents, home guard lost total of 1,206 members on duty air , rocket attacks during war.
if had served more 3 years , requested it, member awarded defence medal. not until 1945 women had helped auxiliaries recognised own certificate.
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