4th batallion, Edinburgh Home Guard, at Holyroodhouse

Category

Library Item

Item no

11032

Title

4th batallion, Edinburgh Home Guard, parade at Holyroodhouse, 24th December 1944

Description

A large company of soldiers line up in rows on either side of an ornate monument in the courtyard in front of Holyrood Palace.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1944

Size

26.2 x 45.9 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

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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Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Garments > Uniforms

Homes > Residential buildings > Castles and palaces

People > Military activities > Civil defence

Places > Edinburgh areas > Holyrood

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh