c1952-56 West Riding of Yorkshire 35 Phase 2 Home Guard (HG) Shoulder Title Cloth Badge

Scarce hard to find, West Riding H.G. (2nd Phase) cloth 'flock' rubber backed shoulder title for Battle Dress. VGC.

New perceived threats to Britain during the ‘Cold War’ period, particularly the Berlin Blockade in 1948, added impetus to these discussions, which included the possibility of reviving the Home Guards as a defence against air landings (just as before), to help the police in controlling civil unrest and dealing with a possible communist inspired ‘Fifth Column’. The start of the Korean War signalled a further communist expansion and more discussion. However, it was the return to power of Winston Churchill in 1951 that actually brought about the re-formation of the Home Guard. The consequential Home Guard Act of December 1951 required volunteers to sign on for two years, and undertake a minimum of 15 hours training every three months. Recruiting was very much slower than in 1940 and most units did not reach the size envisaged. The new force reverted to reserve status in April 1956 and ceased to exist in the July of that year.

Code: 332