Initially called “Local Defence Volunteers” (LDV), it was a defence organisation of the British Army. Operational from 14 May 1940 until 3 December 1944, the Home Guard, comprising 1.5 million local volunteers otherwise ineligible for military service, usually owing to age or reserved occupations, it was given the nickname “Dad’s Army”.  It was as a secondary defence force and guarded the coastal areas of Britain and other important places such as airfields, factories and explosives stores.

The south west Durham villages, within the Gaunless Valley, Evenwood, Cockfield, Butterknowle and Copley all had Home Guard units under the command of Major Russell and Captain A. Foster.

EVENWOOD HOME GUARD about 1941/42

Back Row: Jack Smith: Bill Smith: Jack Hymers: Eric Weston: Chris Hutchinson: Fred Britton: ?: Eric Bennett: Raymond Gibson: Wilf Bussey: Nelson Bussey: Sammy Lee: Bowes Thompson: ?:

Middle Row: Norman Proud: Bobby Henderson: Harry Thackerey: Norman Wren: Harry Stones: Jos. Priestley: George Vickers: Fred Todd: Eric Priestley: Arnold Bolton: Tommy Buttle: Harry Welford: Arthur Oldfield: Jack Sayers:

Front Row: ?: Bobby Watson: George Mason: Willie Postgate: Dick Heaviside: James Law: Ralph Bowman: Major Russell: Captain A. Foster: Walter Bowman: Bob Cox: Edgar Tweddle: Sid Lowson: Joe Wren: Norman Knaggs

Kneeling Left: Doug Henderson: Tazie Prudhoe & Kneeling Right: George Blackett: Ronnie Wilson

COCKFIELD HOME GUARD 1943

Back Row: J. Robinson: N. Fuller: G. Bainbridge; R. Linton: A. Hammond: A. Fuller: G.W. Robson: R. Todd: E. Dent

Middle Row: A. Bowman: J. Raine: R. Storey: J. Dickinson: J.A. Sams: C. Hope: T. Dent: T. Byers: E. Wood: S. Balmer: C. Bell

Front Row: J. Greenwell: P. Bradley: A. Stevens: J. Wallace: Lt. F. Britton: Major Russell: Capt. A. Foster: A. Williamson: A. Bell: J. Fuller: J. Bradley: B. Gargett