Surrey, England, World War II Home Guard Records, 1940-1945

Source Information

Ancestry.com. Surrey, England, World War II Home Guard Records, 1940-1945 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2023.
Original data: Surrey Home Guard Battalions. Woking, Surrey, England: Surrey History Centre.

About Surrey, England, World War II Home Guard Records, 1940-1945

General collection information

This collection comprises records of men enrolled in the Home Guard in Surrey, England between the years of 1940 and 1945.

Once you have been able to confirm an individual's service you may also be able to find out their:

  • Application date
  • Birth date
  • Age
  • Address
  • Occupation
  • Nationality
  • Marital status
  • Names of family members
  • Rank
  • Unit

    • Collection in context

    The Home Guard was a volunteer-based defence force formed to protect the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Initially named the "Local Defence volunteers", the Home Guard trained those not suitable for frontline combat to defend Britain in the event of an invasion. Men between the ages of 15 and 65 were eligible, with the only other qualifications necessary being "capable of free movement" and previous rifle experience, however qualifications often went unchecked.

    Affectionately known as the "Dad's Army", the Home Guard in Surrey would have been responsible for defending the county against potential attacks and carrying out various other duties, such as maintaining civil order and providing assistance to the civilian population in the event of an emergency.

    By the time the Home Guard was disbanded in 1945, more than 1.7 million men served.

    Bibliography

    Imperial War Museum. "The Real Dad's Army." Last Modified 22 June, 2015. https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-real-dads-army.

    National Archives. "Home Guard Personnel." Last Modified 16 April, 2019. https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/history-centre/researchers/guides/tracing-military-records.

    Queen's Royal Surrey Regimental Association. "The Home Guard." Last Modified 2 May, 2012. https://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/ww2/home_guard/hg002.shtml.