These photos turn back the clock to the 1940s and showcase Leeds Home Guard in training around the city. They are probably the 9th (Leeds) Battalion, West Riding Home Guard, affiliated to the West Yorkshire Regiment whose cap badge they wore. The 9th Leeds Battalion was based around north Leeds and trained at Eccup, Moortown, Adel, Meanwood and Golden Acre Park. The 9th Battalion 'had practically no contact with the enemy' according to the account of its Commanding Officer, Lt Col HK Boyle DSO, written in September 1945. The Home Guard was disbanded in 1944 and a final parade was held through Leeds on December 6, 1944. The images are published courtesy of Leeds Museums Service, whose collection is housed on photographic archive Leodis, which is run by Leeds Library & Information Service. READ MORE: The Second World War bombing raids which brought death and terror to Leeds LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook YEP RETRO NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our free monthly email digest of Leeds nostalgia
7. Leeds Home Guard
This photo is entitled 'A Demonstration of Stripping, Becketts Park, Spring 1941'. The image shows stripping and cleaning a Browning Machine Gun in Becketts Park in Headingley, which was used as a training centre during WWII, mostly for training medical orderlies. Photo: Leeds Museums Service
8. Leeds Home Guard
Sniper training 303 target shooting telescope, probably Harewood Park Sept 1940. The rifle did not have a telescopic site, so the spotter would use the telescope to locate the target and direct the sniper. Photo: Leeds Museums Service
9. Leeds Home Guard
This image is entitled 'A Demonstration of Stripping by an Expert?' and shows men stripping and cleaning a Browning Machine Gun, probably in Becketts Park. Becketts Park in Headingley was used as a training centre during WWII, mostly for training medical orderlies. Photo: Leeds Museums Service
10. Leeds Home Guard
Leeds Sub-area School of Tactics taught hundreds of officers and senior NCOs in Golden Acre Park so this image may have been taken there. (Yorkshire Post & Leeds Intelligencer 1/11/44 ). In his account of the 9th Battalion written in September 1945, Commanding officer Lt Col HK Boyle DSO writes about these weekend schools where Tactics, Weapon Training, Bombing, Intelligence, Gas, Street Fighting, Umpiring, Ammunition, Catering, Hygiene and Civil Defence were taught - 'Three very full and concentrated week-ends on top of a full time civilian job, though, proved very gruelling to most of those who undertook this'. Photo: Leeds Museums Service
11. Leeds Home Guard
The image is titled 'Demonstration Team, Golden Acre'. Leeds Sub-area School of Tactics taught hundreds of officers and senior NCOs in Golden Acre Park. They are possibly demonstrating to US officers. Photo: Leeds Museums Service