Ray Sturdy gave an account of the “Real Home Guard” starting with Anthony Eden’s first call to arms to guard the Home front when over 100,000 volunteered in the first few weeks of hostilities.

Known briefly as the Local Defence Force it was renamed the Home Guard at the express wish of Winston Churchill, Britain’s famous war time Prime Minister.

Ordinary men from all walks of life gave up their spare time to train to defend the country.

Many manned Anti Aircraft Gun sites and all took part in mock battles. After the war the King presented every Home guard member with a certificate, and for those who had served for the whole war a medal was presented.

The Town Council wants local organisations to become involved in exchange visits with our twin town “Villeneuve-le- Roi” after the Town Council voted to cease its own annual exchanges with the town.

Interested organisations should contact the Town Council for further information.

Please note there will not be a meeting in August.

A new season of talks and events will commence on September 11.

The new programme will be issued to members with the August newsletter.