National Defence Companies
| National Defence Companies | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1 September 1936 |
| Disbanded | 1939 |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Role | Defence from invasion |
The National Defence Companies of the Territorial Army were a voluntary
rearmament prior to World War II. On the outbreak of war in September 1939, the National Defence Companies were called up for service and became the basis of the Home Service Battalions
.
Establishment
After the end of
companies would be formed on a county or city basis, each being linked to their local Territorial battalion. Enlistment would start on 1 September of that year, and was open to "ex-members of His Majesty's Forces, normally between the ages of 45 and 60 years". Their role was stated to be "to protect important points in Great Britain when war is threatening or has actually broken out, but members of the force will not be called up until these conditions arise, nor will they be called up on account of civil disturbance". Cooper stated that the national establishment would be 8,450 officers and men, "and I have every confidence that I shall have no difficulty in securing this number of men in a very short time".[1]
Mobilisation
The National Defence Companies were mobilised on 25 and 26 August 1939, in the week before war was actually declared.Prisoner of War camps in the United Kingdom throughout the rest of the war.
References
- ^ Hansard - House of Commons Debate 21 July 1936 vol 315 cc228-9: TERRITORIAL FORCE (NATIONAL DEFENCE COMPANIES).
- ISBN 0-7190-2595-8(p. 50)
- ^ Hansard - House of Commons Debate 26 September 1939 vol 351 c1183: NATIONAL DEFENCE COMPANIES
- ^ Hansard - House of Commons Debate 3 October 1939 vol 351 c1804: NATIONAL DEFENCE COMPANIES
- ^ Perry, p. 53
See also
- Home Service Force, a similar force raised in the 1980s