The darkening war situation on the continent prompted people to think about defending their homes by whatever means possible. On Tuesday May 7th a meeting was held in Turners Cafe, Tankerton, where it was decided to raise a Voluntary Defence Corps to deal with an invading enemy whether from the sea or from the air. There was a Grocer, a traveller for Mazawatee Tea, a Draper, a Dentist, a Baker and a retired army captain. These were the men sent by the meeting to put the proposal to Whitstable Urban District Council.
As it happened their initiative was overtaken by events when, a week later; Mr Anthony Eden made his famous broadcast appeal for “large numbers of men …. to come forward and offer their services” for a new force to be known as the ‘Local Defence Volunteers’. By the next evening an astounding 250 men had registered their interest at Whitstable Police Station.
The authorities appointed Norman Thompson – better known in the town as Dennis Norman, principal of the Dennis & Desmond School of Dramatic Art – to be Commander of the Whitstable area. Rallies were called in the Drill Hall, Cromwell Road, for Saturday and Sunday 25th and 26th May to which all were invited.
Members of the Home Guard in 1940 were expressly forbidden to discuss the plans that had been put in motion to meet the expected German invasion. They were not even permitted to speak about their work to other Volunteers lest they be overheard.
I found it quite astonishing that, after so many years had elapsed, some men still felt bound by this order and would speak to me only after I had promised not to identify them. Some of these men have died since my research began. Research, I may say, which covers far more than this little booklet can contain. They were good men, warm hearted, courteous, and hospitable. I have every intention of respecting their wishes.
