Armband, New Zealand Home Guard

item details

NameArmband, New Zealand Home Guard

ProductionUnknown; embroiderer; circa 1940; New Zealand

Classificationarmbands, armlets

Materialscotton, calico

Materials SummaryPlain calico with hand embroidery and machine sewing

Techniquesembroidering, machine sewing

DimensionsOverall: 180mm (width), 70mm (height)

Registration NumberGH016761

Credit lineGift of Stuart Raphael, 2010

Overview

This armband was worn to identify members of the New Zealand Home Guard during World War II. The blue triangles relate to rank. ‘L of C’ means ‘Lines of Communication’.

Home Guard

The Home Guard was formed on 8 October 1940 to serve as a vital defence force should New Zealand be invaded. Its role was to patrol isolated coastlines, oppose enemy landings until the army arrived, and if possible delay the enemy.

Volunteers and conscripts

From January 1942, civilian men aged between 16 and 66 were required to join home defence organisations. These included the Home Guard and the Emergency Precautions Scheme. In April 1942, Home Guard membership became compulsory for civilian men aged between 35 and 50 years. There were compulsory evening parades (if you didn’t turn up, you were fined) and weekend training. The minimum amount of training was eight hours a month.

Uniform shortages

Armbands could be worn with civilian clothing, which was sometimes a necessity for Home Guardsmen, who suffered from ashortage of uniforms and weapons well into 1942. Boots and uniforms were finally distributed in May 1942.