WW2 Home Guard

[nanny jan]

My dad was in the Home Guard; will there be any records of his service ?


Nanny Jan

[aghadowey]

My father-in-law was in Home Guard in Northern Ireland during WWII. Apparently they were supposed to get a medal at the end of the war but it was never applied for at the time or something. In the 1990s someone gave me an address to write to about it and I was sent an application form. Filled it out (were able to give approximate dates), sent it away (had to have something notarised I remember) and before too long my father-in-law was sent his medal.
I filled out another form for someone and they also got the medal. However, another man applied and didn't get it- heard afterwards the dates he gave were too far off but not sure if that was correct.
Anyway, there certainly were some sort of records because when the application for was sent to us it listed the exact dates he had served.

[Trees]

Hi,
My dad also served in the Home Guard his unit was based at the factory he worked in. I once saw a certificate signed by the king thanking him for his service but I'm not sure if that was for the Home Guard or the T A we didn't find it among his possessions after his death I don't think he ever had a medal. I would love that address if you can find it.
Trees

[aghadowey]

Will have a look over the weekend but not sure if same address would apply to Home Guard in England.

[casalguidi]

I assume it would be the Defence Medal:

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/DefenceMedal.htm

Here are the contact details for the medal office:

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceFor/Veterans/Medals/ContactingTheMedalOffice.htm

Here is some information on Home Guard service records:

7. Home Guard
Originally the Local Defence Volunteers, personal records and enrolment forms are closed for 75 years, and are currently being held at TNT Archive Service, Tetron Point, William Nadin Way, Swadlincote, Derbyshire, DE11 0BB, Tel: 01283 227 911/912/913, Fax: 01283 227 942. Information is available to either those who served or next-of-kin. Limited information is available only to those who served, or next of kin. The National Archives Library holds copies of the Home Guard Lists. Histories of various Home Guard units are included in WO 199 (see Appendix 5 - Records of the Militia & Volunteer Forces 1757-1945 Readers Guide No. 3) WO 32 code 66 holds the general registered papers of the Home Guard, while operational records are included with papers of the Prime Ministers Office in PREM 3 . Home Guard War Diaries for the Second World War are in WO 166 , and a file containing recommendations for the award of the British Empire Medal to Home Guard members is in AIR 2/9040 .

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=147

Hope you find this of some interest

Casalguidi

[aghadowey]

Found my father-in-law's certificate: "In the years when our Country was in mortal danger [name] who served 16th Jul.1940/31st Dec.1944 gave generously of his time and powers to make himself ready for her defence by force of arms and with his life if need be. [signed] George R.I."

Didn't find address I had but according to www.home-guard.org.uk/hg/hg/hgfaq.html#faq11
"service records can be obtained from the Ministry of Defence by former members of the Home Guard or their next of kin". Also lots of other interesting things on this Home Guard site but link to MoD didn't seem to work.

[aghadowey]

See also posting "Home Guard Surrey" under Armed Forces for some more details.

[nanny jan]

Thanks for all the info folks;  I'll try the address in Swadlincote.

Nanny Jan

[Trees]

aghadowey, I tried the link but got a not available sign is there something missing?
I'm pretty sure that certificate is like the one I saw just wish I knew where it went.