Origins: the Local Defence Volunteers and the Home Guard
In May 1940, with invasion a real concern, the government called for volunteers to form the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV) to guard their own areas. The force was renamed the Home Guard that summer. Its members were volunteers, and many were older men or men who could not join the regular forces. Their job was local defence and watching for enemy troops, and they trained in the evenings and at weekends alongside their ordinary work.
Because the force grew quickly and was run locally at first, its clothing and insignia were not uniform across the country. This is one reason Home Guard items are so varied in collections.
Early civilian dress and armbands
In the first weeks, many members wore their own clothes, sometimes with an armband that identified them as part of the LDV. Early kit was often a mix of civilian clothing and older service items, so there was no single standard outfit.
Armbands are among the most common survivals. Check the lettering carefully. Armbands marked “L.D.V.” belong to the early period, and armbands marked “Home Guard” came later. Lettering, stitching and the material of the band can all help you date an armband, but reproductions are common, so compare with a reference. Many of the same clues are used to date a military patch by its backing and stitching.
Issued uniforms: denim and khaki
Over time, members were issued clothing, and the issue varied with supply and the date. Denim uniforms and overalls appear in many collections, as do khaki items that resemble battledress in style. Not every unit received the same clothing, and some members wore their own kit alongside issued items.
A single item does not show the full kit. When you look at a collection, ask which items belong together and whether the set makes sense for one date and one unit.
Insignia: armbands, shoulder titles and badges
The main insignia to check are:
- Armbands: the lettering on the band, and whether it matches the early or later period.
- Shoulder titles: these show the Home Guard identity on the uniform, and their style varies.
- Cap badges: many local designs were used, so a badge may match a particular area or unit.
- Rank insignia: many units followed army patterns, with local variations.
Local badges and titles were produced in different styles, so a badge that looks unusual is not automatically a fake. Check it against a reference or a museum example before you decide.
Identifying original items
These checks can help:
- compare the item with reference books and museum examples
- check whether the fabric, stitching and lettering suit the period
- look for signs of genuine use, and be wary of parts that look new
- note any mixed parts, which are common in surviving kit
- look for photographs, documents or a clear history that connects the item to a person or unit
No single feature proves that an item is original. The strongest evidence is consistency across the item, the period and any paperwork.
Reproductions and mixed kits
Modern armbands and badges are widely sold, sometimes for reenactment or display. Look at the stitching, the lettering and the finish. Mixed kits, where parts from different sources have been put together, are also common. These can still be useful, but they should be recorded as mixed, and the value should reflect that.
Related reading
For the wider context of Second World War clothing, see British and Canadian WWII uniforms. For the basics of identifying and recording any military item, start with the British and Commonwealth militaria collecting guide.