County Durham Home Guard
 

Before my father was called up to the 6th DLI in 1943 he was in the Home Guard in Hebburn, County Durham.
Can anyone suggest any possible reference works that show any of the insignia that they wore.
(Believe it or not, he reported to Brancepeth Camp in 1943 wearing his Home Guard uniform & was still using it in 1945)!

Try here:

www.home-guard.org.uk/

You do have to dig down ( if that is the right expression ) into the site and you will come across lists of units by Counties with their arm designations.

P.B.

Co Durham HG
 

Hi,
The HG wore the cap badge of the county regt to which they were affiliated. I presume DLI.
On their battle dress they wore printed flashes of the county letters (DHM for Durham) above the numeral of their battalion.
It was standard practice for a HG man who was subsequently conscripted to wear his HG uniform, boots etc whilst in the Army. It reduced wastage and the boots were hopefully already broken in!

Hope this helps, Stephen.

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate the help.

On the subject of my father retaiing his HG uniform, I remember him telling me that they were all issued a "best" battledress, greatcoat (with black buttons) & dark green forage cap with black badge. These were all left behind in kit bags at Brancepeth Camp. Supposedly to be sent on! Needless to say, they were never seen again. Makes me wonder what happened to them all!


Dave.

This is the bit that will be of interest to members here:

http://www.home-guard.org.uk/hg/struc.html

click on" Home Guard",click on" by County" and then click on the county you are interested in on the map

P.B.

That's a great help, thank you!

Now, what's the chance of ever finding a DHM 25 flash?

Durham HG
 

Please find attached a scan of said flash I found loitering on my hard-drive. It isn't from my collection and I cannot remember where the picture came from. If anyone claims copyright I will gladly acknowledge it.

They do turn up from time to time on ebay and at fairs. You may do better finding the two individual parts. Expect to pay £12 to £15 for each section.

Regards, Stephen.

Thank you very much, I really appreciate that.