Defending the People: 1
From July 1940,Britain was the only nation left fighting Germany, and so was very aware that from that time onwards she might be invaded at any time. Accordingly, volunteer soldiers were called for, to form the ‘People’s Army’ of the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), later called the Home Guard. It was formed mainly from older men, young boys, and men excused from military service because they were unfit or had jobs in war industries. The Home Guard were often used to defend important factories, collieries, and bridges, and later in the war to man anti-aircraft batteries. At first, they had few weapons and no uniform, but later were gradually issued with proper uniforms, kit, rifles, and machine-guns. This photo shows the Knottingley Home Guard during the War.