MIDDLESEX HOME GUARD

This class of records of the Home Guard, comprising of 4 registers and 5,432 pieces, consists of, nominal rolls, superseded nominal rolls, and miscellaneous documents relating to officers, non-commissioned officers and men and women auxiliaries of:-

(a) 1st Battalion ("T" Zone) Middlesex Home Guard. ("D" Company of this Bn. Because the 4th Bn. Middlesex Home General

(b) 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th Cadet Battalions, the Middlesex Regiment, (Cadet Officers).

(c) 61st (Middlesex) Anti-Aircraft Cadet Regiment: Royal Artillery, (Cadet Officers).

(d) 1st (Middlesex) Cadet Battalion, Royal Engineers, (Cadet Officers)

(e) London North Eastern Railway (London) Battalion Volunteer Local Defence Corps. (1940)

17th (City of London) Battalion, London North Eastern Railway Home Guard. (1940-1942).

33rd (Middlesex) London North Eastern Railway, Battalion, Home Guard, (Railway, and non-railway employees. (1943) (The year in brackets indicates change of title).

(f) H.M. prison (Feltham) Home Guard Unit, a sub-unit of "B" Company. 1st Middlesex Home Guard. (Transferred to "B" Company on 2 December 1942).

(g) General Aircraft Ltd., (Feltham), a sub-unit of "D" Company, 1st Middlesex Home Guard. (Later became 9th MX. (HG) Bn.)

(h) 2nd Home Guard.

These records contain a wealth of information, not merely number, rank, and name, but personal details, hitherto unrecorded. Information includes:-

(a) Full name and address.

(b) Profession, and/or place of employment.

(c) National Registration Identity Number.

(d) Details of previous service in the forces, (Rank, Branch etc.)

(e) Next of Kin.

(f) Whether owner of a Car/Cycle, or any motor vehicle.

(g) Telephone Number (Home or business).

(h) Age, (or date of birth).

(i) Promotion in Home Guard.

(j) Transfers (Regular Forces; Inter-unit; etc.)

(k) Discharges (through death, or other causes).

(l) Religion.

(m) Resignations, (pressure of work, etc.)

Other information includes, results of proficiency tests reports upon non-commissioned officers; strength states; returns of small arms; personal history sheets; lists of category, men, etc.

<p>MCC/CD</p>

The Home Guard was first raised in May, 1940, on a semi-civilian basis in close association with the Police force, and was originally known as the Local Defence Volunteers. It was organized in companies, grouped in zones, corresponding to the Police districts, and In Middlesex there were four zones. In July, 1940, companies were organized in battalions, and after August, 1940; this semi-civilian force became known as the Home Guard. The following January, officers were given commissions and a -proper military status, and the force was brought under direct military control. In 1942, service in the Home Guard became compulsory. Early in 1943, zones were renamed Sectors. In the County of Middlesex there were 33 battalions, with a flotilla on the River Thames.

(Condensed from "The Story of Middlesex", New Wartime Series, Vol. I, Number 2 - 1943, pp.59-61).

The operational, and recruiting area for the 1st (Middlesex) Home Guard, appears to have been within an area comparable with the Metropolitan Police Zone (Division) "T", including, Heston and Isleworth; Staines; Ashford; Laleham; Harlington; Stanwell; Yiewsley and West Drayton; Hounslow; Whitton; Osterley; Cranford; Feltham; Bedfont; Hayes, etc.