Members of the Home Guard take over guard duty at the main entrance to County Hall, London, in 1940.
The guards were employees of London County Council at County Hall, and wore their uniforms at work in case of emergency.
The Home Guard, formerly the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), was formed by the British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in 1940 as fears of invasion grew during World War II.
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I'm Phil Coomes, picture editor and photographer for the BBC News website. This is my blog where I'll be exploring the world of photojournalism, photos in the news and BBC News' use of photographs, including those by our readers.
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The spirit of 1940. If only our country could be as united now as it was then.
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britishchristian wrote:
"The spirit of 1940. If only our country could be as united now as it was then"
Don't worry, it will! In the face of adversity, when the "coalition" starts to crumble, everyone will be "up in arms"!
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They do fit the stereotype as depicted in Dad's Army. Brilliant picture.
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When will normal service be resumed?
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This photo makes me realise just how much I miss the 'old' Valued Exposure experience. At least with the old version I could go back over the photos I'd missed. Please bring the old version back we all miss it terribly!
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You know despite all of the above, this country was not united in thought, Churchill was terrified of the Bolshevists later known as Communists and there is definate evidence that had Britain lost the war it could have turned so. Yet these pictures show an element of desperation which gives an air of quaintness and the general public were probably just as unaware of the underlying currents as were many of the German population, who of course had the same situation. I still have my fathers old agfa camera from the 1950's and the pictures of the time. Under the pomp of the marching victory troops one sees a hastily arranged backdrop and an austerity that we still cannot imagine today. Little things or perks meant such a lot when I was a child. A ride in a car, is an example, was normally accompanied by the sheer wonder of the trip. I'm in a car!!! wow.
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Dont tell him Pike!!
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They Don't like it up Em you know!!
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