Veterans Guard of Canada
ActiveMay 24, 1940 – 1947
Disbanded1947
Country Canada
BranchCanadian Army
RoleHome defence
Guarding military installations
Guarding POWs
EngagementsSecond World War

The Veterans Guard of Canada (initially Veterans Home Guard) was a citizen militia supporting the Canadian Army during the Second World War, tasked with defending mainland Canada.[1] They were modelled after the British Home Guard.

The guard was composed of mainly WW1 veterans who were unfit for active overseas service with the Canadian Army.[2]

At its peak strength in June 1943, the Guard was composed of 451 officers and 9,806 other ranks.[3]

Background

With the outbreak of war in September 1939, Canada realized the need for a local defence force to guard against enemy attacks on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Following the lead of the British Home Guard, Canada began recruiting veterans of the First World War who, although they were unfit for overseas service, were eager to serve their country.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Canadian Military History Gateway - Glossary". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  2. ↑ "Behind barbed wire in Canadian PoW camps". CBC Archives. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  3. ↑ "Canadian Military History Gateway - Glossary". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  4. ↑ "Canadian Military History Gateway - Glossary". Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2017.
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