大象传媒

The classic 大象传媒 TV comedy series 鈥淒ad鈥檚 Army鈥� is the story of the Home Guard in World War Two. Men who 鈥� for some reason 鈥� couldn鈥檛 serve in the regular army, but nonetheless, volunteered to help protect their country from the threat of invasion.

But the Home Guard鈥檚 origins were in World War One. In Blackburn, as in many other towns and cities, hundreds of men flocked to join the Athletes鈥� Volunteer Force in 1914. Detailed accounts survive of the AVF鈥檚 activities in and around the Lancashire town.

An introductory booklet outlines the sort of men they were looking for: 鈥渃ricketers, cyclists, football players, rowing men, athletes, golfers, swimmers and all able-bodied men not eligible to join the regular army, the Territorials or any other existing recognised Force.鈥�

For a long time, the AVF had no uniforms and often used wooden dummy guns. But, despite obvious similarities with their fictional WW2 TV descendants, they took their jobs in deadly earnest. One report from the time describes the mood: 鈥淭heir chief and first object was to prepare themselves to defend their country in case of need. They must put in every possible moment they could spare to make themselves efficient in case of an invasion, which Lord Derby had said was certain. If that happened it would be their duty to fight to the bitter end.鈥�

During the German naval raid on Scarborough, for instance, members of the AVF rose to a memorable occasion. They helped calm the terrified inhabitants, participated in the rescue work, and assisted to organise the distracted crowds who fled to the railway station. When the Scarborough unit was being formed their leaders applied to the Blackburn unit for advice as to the best methods to be adopted.

Location: Blackburn, Lancashire BB2 6DQ

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