Defence Volunteers’ Role

Northern Advocate, 29 May 1940, Page 2

Defence Volunteers’ Role

LONDON, May 27. It appears that the publicity given to the enrolment of the Local Defence Volunteers—the numbers of which are already approaching 400,Goo—has confused many people at home and possibly some abroad as to the role of this force in meeting the parachute menace. The assumption seems to have arisen in some cases that the task of repelling an invasion from the air is to be laid entirely upon the shoulders of the Local Defence Volunteers. it is poimed out today that the duty vests primarily on the Regular Home Forces, of which many thousands are disposed about the country. Only an Auxiliary The new force of volunteers is intended to be merely an auxiliary to the regular forces Arrangements for the volunteer force are being purposely kept as elastic as possible, so as to suit the convenience of the volunteers themselves, who are at work in the daytime and live at home. In certain districts, firms are organising their own units. In many country villages the inhabitants have spontaneously turned for leadership to some prominent resident or retired military officer. Other districts are forming units composed of gamekeepers and beaters. All these units will be fitted into Additional Companies the general scheme under the direction of various area commanders assisted by volunteer area organisers. The War Office announces that it has been decided to form additional companies for certain home defence battalions for special duties in the United Kingdom. The age limit for enlistment will be from 18 to 19A years.