Titles read: "ON GUARD!"

Somewhere in England.

Various shots of soldiers of the Home Defence Battalions (forerunner of the Home Guard) on guard duty at 'vulnerable points' - on a railway bridge and beside the railway line. voice over makes remark about "showing the young 'uns a thing or two". C/U of Home Guardsman. M/S of a man signing on; he gives his papers to an officer who recognises him (from the First World War, according to commentator).

M/S of a group of home guardsmen marching along a riverside path. Men on guard beside railway lines and canal. Good C/Us of typical Home Guardsmen in uniform. Army catering in the field; food cooked on a range, troops seen sitting and eating in huts. C/Us of food. One man eating at a table with others gives the thumbs up. Nice shots of the men eating in their mess (spotted dick and custard is served up) and relaxing by playing darts and shove-ha'penny.