The PENSHURST HOME GUARD

Created in May 1940 as the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV) the men of Penshurst did their bit for the war effort as did tens of thousands of others across UK. In July 1940 Winston Churchill renamed the LDV as THE HOME GUARD. It was not until February 1941 that members of THE HOME GUARD were entitled to military ranks.

THE PENSHURST HOME GUARD was part of the 21st KENT (Tonbridge) BATTALION that was part of Kent Area, Kent Zone No.5 Group.

The photograph was taken after 21st July 1941-1942 before the younger elements were called up. There were some members of THE PENSHURST HOME GUARD not available for the photo shoot.

David Martin, Wendy Hoblyn Jones, Drummond Abrams and Richard Hoblyn have collaborated and identified around half of the men in the photograph.

If anyone can identify or correct any information then that would be terrific as it is important that ALL these men are remembered for their efforts which gladly never were put to actual military use.

PLEASE DOUBLE CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR A FULL PAGE IMAGE.