THE REAL DAD'S ARMY

IT MIGHT have been nicknamed 'Dad's Army' but at its height the Home Guard boasted 1.5 million members. It was also the very last line of defence against a much feared German invasion.

- AS VE DAY ANNIVERSARY APPROACHES, SUSAN LEE LOOKS AT THE HEROES OF THE HOME FRONT

The force was established in May 1940 after the Secretary of State for War, Anthony Eden, made a radio broadcast calling for men between the ages of 17 and 65 to step forward and enrol in what was then called the Local Defence Volunteers.