THE REAL DAD'S ARMY

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

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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.

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.