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Charlwoods Oldest Parashot
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Charlwoods Oldest Parashot
Seventy-eight-year-old John Chandler on the lookout for German paratroopers in Charlwood, Surrey. He was a member of the Local Defence Volunteers (later renamed the Home Guard ), despite the upper age limit officially being sixty-five. The L.D.V. was established in 1940 to prepare British citizens for a possible German invasion.
1940
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Media ID 14405431
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Aged Chandler Charlwood Citizens Dads Defence Effort Elderly Guard Invasion Paratroopers Sep16 Surrey Volunteers
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the determination and resilience of 78-year-old John Chandler as he scans the skies over Charlwood, Surrey, for any sign of German paratroopers in September 1940. Amidst the backdrop of the Second World War, with the threat of an invasion looming large, John, a member of the Local Defence Volunteers (LDV), defied the official age limit of sixty-five to answer the call to duty. The LDV, later known as the Home Guard, was formed in May 1940 to prepare British citizens for the possibility of a German invasion. As the war intensified, the need for manpower became increasingly urgent, and older citizens like John stepped forward to play their part. Despite his advanced age, John's commitment to the defense of his village was unwavering. Here, he stands tall and alert, a testament to the spirit of the British people during wartime. The photograph, taken by the Illustrated London News Ltd, offers a poignant glimpse into the sacrifices made by ordinary men and women during this pivotal moment in history. The image of John Chandler on the lookout for paratroopers serves as a reminder of the collective effort and fortitude that characterized the British response to the threat of invasion during World War II. It is a powerful reminder of the indomitable spirit of the human spirit in the face of adversity and the enduring legacy of those who answered the call to duty, no matter their age.
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