At the end of the Second World War, various Home Guard units published service histories explaining the part they played in the defence of the nation. Home Guard historian Austin J Ruddy explains the appeal and historic value of these collectable unit histories.
MILITARIA COLLECTING
PERHAPS IT’S due to their relative scarcity but many people, including some book dealers, do not realise there are even such things as Home Guard (HG) unit histories. About half a dozen relatively common editions appear at militaria and book fairs, but others still come to light and, intermittently, new works continue to be published.
Most HG unit histories were printed in the aftermath of the force’s stand down in December 1944, as souvenirs of service for former members. Almost 75 years on, the camaraderie and hard work of all ranks shines forth from their pages. The Northamptonshire Home Guard – A History by B G Holloway & H Banks (1949), which retails for around £50 today, carries a common message in its introduction: “If, to rising and future generations, this record conveys some measure of the credit due to those of whom it tells, its purpose will have been achieved.”
It appears that most of these histories were l…
