The Home Guard

An Unequalled Record

It came as a disappointment to many that no Home Guard medal was awarded, it was only after public protest that the Home Guard were allowed to keep their boots and battle-dress - valuable in a time of clothes rationing.

Those who had served for three years qualified for the Defence Medal, but men who had left earlier, often to join the Forces, received nothing.

In September 1944 the Home Guard, excluding Female Auxiliaries, numbered 1 727 095. The number of men who served for some months or years before resigning, reaching retiring age, or being called-up, was of course far larger and probably double this total.

1 206 Home Guards were killed on duty, or died of wounds; 557 were injured, a total of 1 763 - fewer than 1 in every 1 000 that served. Most casualties were caused by enemy action, particularly flying-bombs which were of course dangerous to all civilians. Where being a Home Guard was uniquely dangerous was in having to handle firearms and explosives with inadequate training.

The decorations awarded to the Home Guards included thirteen George Medals and two George Crosses, both posthumous. The King's Badge was awarded to members of the Home Guard who were discharged through injury from war service.