HISTORY OF THE 1st (LOYAL CITY OF EXETER) BATTALION DEVON HOME GUARD

The Home Guard, familiar to us all from the antics of Dad’s Army on the TV, in fact performed a deadly serious role – guarding infrastructure and communications, and releasing the regular Army for more front-line work. This is one of the Home Guard’s Unit histories, giving a detailed account of their history – from the Government’s first appeal for volunteers onwards. The Home Guard’s history stretched from the early anxious days in the summer of 1940 when a German invasion was hourly expected to the preparations for D-Day when the boot was on the Allied foot. It is a story of amateurism transformed into increasing sophistication and better weaponry; and a professional and patriotic dedication to often humdrum duty that united Great War veterans with youths awaiting the call-up to the regular forces. When they were finally disbanded in November 1944 the Home Guard deserved the thanks of a grateful nation that they had truly served and helped to save.