King thanks the Home Guard as its stood down (1944)

The King said in his broadcast: “Four years ago, in May, 1940, our country was in mortal danger. The most powerful army the world had ever seen had forced its way to within a few miles of our coast. From day to day we were threatened with invasion.

“In those days our army had been gravely weakened. A call went out for men to enrol themselves in a new citizen army, the Local Defence Volunteers, ready to use whatever weapons could be found and to stand against the invader in every village and every town.

“Throughout Britain and Northern Ireland the nation answered that summons as free men will always answer when freedom is in danger. From fields and hills, from factories and mills, from shops and offices, men of every age and every calling came forward to train themselves for battle. “Almost overnight a new force came into being, a force which had little equipment, but was mighty in courage and determination.

“In July, 1940, the Local Defence Volunteers became the Home Guard. During those four years of continuant anxiety that civilian army grew in strength. Under the competent administration of Territorial Army Associations, it soon became a well-equipped and capable force, able to take over many duties from regular soldiers preparing to go overseas.

“I believe it is the voluntary spirit which has always made the Home Guard so splendid and so powerful a comradeship of arms.

“The hope that this comradeship will long endure was strong in me this afternoon while many thousands of you marched past me in one of the most memorable and impressive parades that I have ever seen.

“For most of you – and, I must add, for your wives, too – your service in the Home Guard has not been easy. I know what it has meant, especially for older men. Some of you have stood for many hours on the gun sites in desolate fields or on windswept beaches. Many or you, after a long and hard day’s work, scarcely had time for food before you changed into uniform for the evening parade. Some of you had to bicycle for long distances to the drill hall or the rifle range.”

The King concluded: “I am very proud of what the Home Guard has done, and I give my heartfelt thanks to you all. Officers, non-commissioned officers and men, you have served your country with a steadfast devotion. I know that your country will not forget that service.”

On that day thousands of people gathered at the City Hall, Belfast, when His Grace the Governor took the salute at the “stand down” march past of the four city battalions.

The News Letter noted: “It was the most imposing parade of the Home Guard ever seen in the city. About 3,500 members of the Force were in the parade, which included the Belfast County Headquarters Units, the Post Office, Short and Harland, and Motor Patrol Boat groups, and the motor transport units, and the march past occupied more than half an hour. Colonel C Wilkins, MBE, Belfast County Commandant, was officer commanding the parade.

The battalions and other units assembled at May’s Market, where they were addressed by Colonel Nelson Russell, DSO, MC, deputising for Major-General Bucknall, GOC, Northern Ireland.

Colonel Russell, having read the King’s “stand down” message said that even in a world crowded with big events, he was sure history would name December 3 as “a landmark in the war and as a milestone near the end of their very long and hard road”.

“If the German had come,” Colonel Russell commented, “I am certain that in no place would he have got a hotter reception than in Ulster. The people in Ulster may have their failings – I cannot think of one at the moment – but no one has ever accused us of being unable to fight.”

Colonel Russell said he was sure that one of the chief reasons why Hitler called off the invasion of Britain was the existence of the Home Guard, “so firm in their purpose”.

He added: “The Home Guard, welded into a formidable force, had enabled the army to take the offensive and win victories culminating in the invasion of Normandy and the liberation of France, Belgium and Holland, and finally the invasion of Germany.

“Although victory is in sight and the order for the Home Guard has come to stand down, many tasks still lay ahead. There can be no real stand down for anyone until we have secured a world that is was fit to live in – with peace and security for all.

“One thing is certain, if the world is to be a better place to live in we must make it so. We will have to work as hard and pull together as well in the future as we have done in the last five years.”

The parade to the City Hall was led by the band of the Gas Works Company (3rd Battalion), and the pipe band of Short and Harland's group also took part. The RUC and USC bands played at the march past.

The Governor was attended by Mr William Grant (Miníster of Health and Local Government) and by Commander Henderson, and was received at the City Hall by the Lord Mayor (Sir Crawford McCullagh), Sir Thomas Dixon, HML, the High Sheriff (Alderman C A Hinds), and Colonel Russell. Members of the Corporation were also present.