London Passenger Transport Board's Home Guard of WWII
We use original material from Transport for London's Corporate Archives collections to introduce our own 'Dad's Army' to you
In May 1940, the London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) formed their own unit in response to the Government announcement of its intention to form Local Defence Volunteer units, later renamed the Home Guard (1m 44s)
Letter from an officer seeking new recruits (1942-03)TfL Corporate Archives
The unit originally consisted of 6 battalions responsible for the local protection of LPTB's premises
Under the command of E T Brook, a high standard of training and efficiency was reached, and the unit was given an important role in the defence of London
Article regarding staff achievements (1941-04)TfL Corporate Archives
In May 1941 it was reorganised into 7 battalions - the 41st, 42nd, 43rd, 44th, 45th, 46th, and 60th battalions Home Guard. Additional responsibilities included sharing the honour of protecting Buckingham Palace and St James's Palace with Westminster Home Guard
Commendations to London Passenger Transport Board's Home Guard (1941-06)TfL Corporate Archives
Commendations and congratulations to Sergeant Ware
Sergeant Ware of LPTB's Home Guard took action when fire and high explosive bombs fell on a Head Office building. He dealt with a blaze in the building and extinguished fire bombs, helped fire and police services and administered first aid
A crew of male volunteer firefighters at a firefighting competition (1943)TfL Corporate Archives
To assist with their readiness for defence and abilities, E T Brook organised training events and competitions. One that proved highly popular was the Trailer Pump competition, first held in June 1943
A volunteer fire crew in action during a firefighting efficiency competition (1943)TfL Corporate Archives
A crew or team had to move a mobile firefighting pump to a static water supply
A volunteer fireman uses a hose at a firefighting efficiency competition (1943)TfL Corporate Archives
Run out the hoses, and direct the jet onto a target that represented a fire
A volunteer fireman handles a fire hose during a firefighting efficiency competition (1943)TfL Corporate Archives
Once the 'fire' was out, the crew then ran everything back to the starting line
The winning fire efficiency team from Cockfosters railway depot (1943)TfL Corporate Archives
Honours, including a cup, went to the crew who completed in the quickest time
A crew of female volunteer firefighters at a firefighting efficiency competition (1943)TfL Corporate Archives
The competition was open to all Home Guard members and a female team was invited to take part. We have no further evidence of women being involved with the LPTB Home Guard
A crew of four female volunteer firefighters manoeuvre their mobile pump (1943)TfL Corporate Archives
Request for recruits to the Home Guard of London Transport (1940-11)TfL Corporate Archives
30,000 members of the LPTB's staff served in the LPTB Home Guard unit, in addition to a substantial number who served in local units. From time to time the Home Guard battalions, gave valuable assistance to the civilian authorities during air raids
All were volunteers
Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.
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