HORNETS' NEST

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 111, 13 May 1942, Page 6

HORNETS' NEST

BRITISH HOME GUARD

MR. CHURCHILL'S TRIBUTE

(Rec. 2 p.m.) RUGB"*, May 12. Mr. Churchill, at an inspection at the Palace of Westminster of a company of the Home Guard, said: "I know you will not expect me to say that I look forward to the occasion when; your services will be required, .because if such an occasion arose it would certainly expose the Government to serious criticism on other grounds. But should it ever arise, I am certain we can destroy, any enemy who comes to our midst, and that in itself is an additional deterrent against an attempt to attack this famous and long inviolate island."

Mr. Churchill revealed that Britain's Home Guard is nearly 1.750,000 strong, and said that the work these men were doing was of great value to the country. When France fell out of the war Britain was left under the threat of invasion, while destitute of an Army. While the Army was reorganised the Home Guard sprang into existence. Now. they are 1,750,000 men, trained in the use of arms and accustomed to readily and rapidly come together at any point, their minds fixed on the possibility of contact with the enemy. The Home Guard was an invaluable addition to the armed forces and an essential part of the effective defence of Britain. Their value was increased