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On the 14 May 1940 Britain's Secretary of State for War, Sir Anthony Eden broadcast the following announcement to millions of people listening to the BBC:

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'Since the war began the Government has received countless enquiries from all over the Kingdom from men of all ages who are for one reason or another not at present engaged in military service, and who wish to do something for the defence of our country.

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Now is your opportunity. We want large numbers of such men in Great Britain who are British subjects, between the ages of 17 and 65, to come forward now and offer their service in order to make assurance doubly sure. The name of the new force which is now to be raised will be the 'Local Defence Volunteers'. This name, Local Defence Volunteers, describes its duties in three words. It must be understood that this is, so to speak, a spare-time job, so there will be no need for any volunteer to abandon his present occupation.

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Part-time members of existing civil defence organisations should ask their officers' advice before registering under the scheme. Men who will ultimately become due for calling up under the National Service (Armed Forces) Act may join temporarily, and will be released to join the Army when they are required to serve. Now a word to those who propose to volunteer. When on duty you will form part of the Armed Forces, and your period of service will be for the duration of the war. You will not be paid, but you will receive uniform and will be armed. You will be entrusted with certain vital duties, for which reasonable fitness and a knowledge of firearms are necessary. These duties will not require you to live away from your homes. In order to volunteer, what you have to do is to give in your name at your local police station; and then, as and when we want you, we will let you know.

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This appeal is directed chiefly to those who live in small towns, villages and less densely inhabited suburban areas. I must war you that, for certain military reasons, there will be some localities where the numbers required will be small, and others where our services will not be required at all. Here then is the opportunity for which so many of you have been waiting. Your loyal help, added to the arrangements which already exist, will make and keep our country safe.'

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Great Waltham Platoon

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In June 1940, when a German invasion of this country appeared imminent and our regular army was deplorably weak in numbers, the Home Guard (then called Local Defence Volunteers) was called into existence. 

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The Great Waltham Platoon was formed immediately with about 30 men, nearly all old soldiers with a few keen youngsters. First, armlets were issued, the Denim overalls and later uniforms as for the regular army. At first arms and equipment were in lamentably short supply, but gradually rifles, automatic weapons, anti-tank weapons and grenades were issued in adequate quantities.

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There was very close liaison between the home defence battalions of the Essex Regiment and the Essex Home Guard with the Home Guard often using the same training venues and borrowing instructors from the Essex Regiment. The Home Guard HQ and the administration in Essex was by the Essex Regiment Territorial Army at Market Road, Chelmsford.

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Numbers increased until with the introduction of compulsory enrolment the strength of the Platoon averaged about 75. The personnel changed a good deal as younger men were called up to join the Forces, and others were discharged on account of age or medical unfitness, but their places were taken by fresh recruits, The Great Waltham Platoon with the Broomfield, Little Waltham and Ford End Platoons formed the Walthams Company, later known as D Company of the 11th Battalion, Essex Home Guard.

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Training was carried on regularly on Sunday mornings and on one evening a week, and consisted mainly of weapon training and field work. Range firing was practised at the local Gravel Pits and a rifle range at Colchester and field firing at Tollesbury.  At first lack of ammunition limited the practices, but later adequate supplies became available. At the Company Bombing Range all ranks were practised in throwing live grenades. Many went through Battle Inoculation, which consists in advancing under fire with explosions of all sorts going on around. The progress made was remarkable, and each year saw a striking increase in efficiency.

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The Platoon had at first two main functions. The first was to give immediate information of any enemy airborne landings and, if possible, to deal with them. For this purpose, dawn and dusk patrols were maintained for a considerable time. The second was in the event of a seaborne invasion to hold the line of the River Chelmer and in particular the river crossings. Later this static rôle was revised, and the Platoon was divided into a mobile unit which was to be ready to move anywhere at any time, and a static unit which was to perform duties within the Platoon area.

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The formation of the Home Guard may well have provided an additional deterrent after the great victory of the RAF in the Battle of Britain and the strength and vigilance of the Royal Navy, preventing a German invasion after the fall of France.

The strength of the Home Guard had also made possible the despatch overseas of large forces that would otherwise have had to be retained in this country to protect home bases. The moral of the story of the Home Guard is that of the War as a whole. Be Prepared.