« Reply #14 on: Thursday 20 May 21 00:01 BST (UK) »
Not exactly true, the HD Battalions existed before WW2 they were then called `The Territorial Army Volunteer National Defence Corps ` Bit of a mouthful.
The first casualty (41st National Defence Company att 6th DLI) was a 4444858 Pte George Robert Milburn whilst on sentry duty he was hit by a train and killed at the Croxdale viaduct in Durham ,on the night of August 28/29th 1939 (prior to the official outbreak of war)
The coroner determined his death was as a direct consequence of WW2 but as his death was outside of the official declaration he is not commemorated as `war dead`.
George was buried at Medomsley on Sept 2nd 1939. The following day we were at war with Germany.
There were many names for the HD and Home Guard . My uncle referred to some of the Local Defence Volunteers as (LDV) Look,Duck and Vanish!
The enlistment books for the DLI are held at the Records Office in Durham . Army Book 358 Register of Soldiers, Durham Light Infantry, covers the 30th (Home Defence) Battalion (Book I, no. 42,) covering the `D` numbers D/3693 to D/41886. Just for info.
Best
Jim
Thanks. I do need to look at those next time I am at Durham RO, or even ask for a paid research service as I live 250 miles away. I last visited there in 2010.
Researching:
LONDON, Coombs, Roberts, Auber, Helsdon, Fradine, Morin, Goodacre
DORSET Coombs, Munday
NORFOLK Helsdon, Riches, Harbord, Budery
KENT Roberts, Goodacre
SUSSEX Walder, Boniface, Dinnage, Standen, Lee, Botten, Wickham, Jupp
SUFFOLK Titshall, Frost, Fairweather, Mayhew, Archer, Eade, Scarfe
DURHAM Stewart, Musgrave, Wilson, Forster
SCOTLAND Stewart in Selkirk
USA Musgrave, Saix
ESSEX Cornwell, Stock, Quilter, Lawrence, Whale, Clift
OXON Edgington, Smith, Inkpen, Snell, Batten, Brain