the Home Guard
/ðə ˌhəʊm ˈɡɑːd/
/ðə ˌhəʊm ˈɡɑːrd/
- an army created during the Second World War to defend Britain at home in case the enemy invaded the country. It consisted of men who were too old or young for the armed forces. They were originally called the Local Defence Volunteers. see also Dad's Army