Officers of 1st City of Edinburgh Battalion Home Guard

Category

Library Item

Item no

38373

Title

Officers of 1st City of Edinburgh Battalion Home Guard, January 1944

Description

The men pictured of the Home Guard battalion are named underneath the photograph.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1944

Size

25.0 x 27.0 cm

Type

Photograph

This image of the officers of the 1st City of Edinburgh Battalion Home Guard was donated by Marjory Langdon. Her father-in-law, Captain John Langdon, can be seen in the second back row, 6th from the right.

During World War II many men and women were recruited to groups to form Britain's civil defence. These people included air raid wardens, nurses, the home guard and fire fighters. The aim was to ensure that Britain would be prepared in the event of an enemy attack.

The Local Defence Volunteers (later known as the Home Guard) were set up in May 1940 as a defence against German paratroopers attacking Britain. Men who were not eligible for military service and between the ages of 17 and 65 were called upon to volunteer their time to patrol their local area and fight off the enemy in case of attack. Thousands of men in Edinburgh became part of the Home Guard, initially signing up at their local police station and then being divided into districts and companies. The home guard in Edinburgh even manned anti-aircraft rocket batteries.

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Clothing and dress > Accessories > Caps

Clothing and dress > Garments > Military

Clothing and dress > Garments > Uniforms

People > Adults > Men

People > Military activities > Civil defence

People > Military activities > Volunteers