THEY stood ready when their country needed them to face the most formidable military machine in the world.

Although they were often too old for military service, the men of the Home Guard flocked to the colours in 1940, when Hitler's forces were triumphant all across Europe.

Decades later they became the subject of one of British television's best-loved programmes, when they were immortalised in the classic comedy, Dad's Army.

And a museum near York joined today's tributes to the country's volunteer defence force, raised during the darkest days of the Second World War.

The event at the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington commemorated the 60th anniversary of the Home Guard's standing down parade, which took place in London's Hyde Park and West End, and was reflected with ceremonies across the country.

Museum volunteers donned appropriate costume for the occasion, and received an official inspection from Group Captain Ian Morrison, station commander at RAF Leeming.

He was making his first visit to the site in his capacity as vice-president of the museum, and the Allied Air Forces Memorial there.

The Home Guard was raised as a response to the Nazi threat following the fall of France and the evacuation of Dunkirk, when a German invasion was expected any time.

But at a time when the British Army itself faced massive equipment shortages, having lost so much of it in France, the new force was at first often poorly equipped, and its initial organisation often left a lot to be desired.

While this state of affairs provided plenty of scope for Dad's Army scripts, most of the volunteers who came forward were entirely serious about defending their nation against the potential threat from across the Channel.

Many of them were First World War veterans - one of them, tank pioneer Percy Hobart, was even snatched from his unit on Winston Churchill's orders, and ended the war as a major-general with Montgomery's forces in north-west Europe.

Fortunately, the 1.8 million volunteers never had to face an invasion, but they carried out a whole range of often mundane but necessary home defence roles, which released many other servicemen for more warlike duties.

After their standing down parade, King George VI praised the voluntary spirit and comradeship of the Home Guard, and told them: "I am very proud of what the Home Guard has done and give my heartfelt thanks."

The air museum's director, Ian Reed, said: "We are delighted to pay this small tribute to the men and women of the Home Guard. Their contribution is a fascinating aspect of the war in this country, and it should not be forgotten."

Were you or a member of your family a member of the Home Guard? Do you have stories to tell about those days? If so, please phone Katie Emslie on 01904 653051 ext 133, or email katie.emslie@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 10:30 Friday, December 03, 2004