The Home Guard - George Town, Cayman Islands
Posted by: 
denben
N 19° 17.801 W 081° 22.982
17Q E 459757 N 2133699
The historic sign titled "The Home Guard" is erected on the site of the remains of Fort George on the corner of Harbour Drive and Fort Street in George Town, Grand Cayman.
Waymark Code: WMV56F
Location: Cayman Islands
Date Posted: 02/25/2017
Views: 3
The original purpose of Fort George was to defend Grand Cayman from attacks by Spanish marauders from Cuba. Locals and cruise ship visitors can visit for free the remains of Fort George and get information from the various markers on the site.
This sign says:
"The Home Guard - A Company of the Jamaican Home Guard was established on Grand Cayman in June of 1942, and functioned until the end of World War II in 1945. It consisted of forty-two recruits and two officers. Joining the Home Guard provided a fulltime occupation for many patriotic Caymanian men who wished to do their part for the war effort, while earning seven pounds ten shillings a month.
The Home Guard was set up for the island's defense to maintain a twenty-four-hour coastal watch for German submarines. During the war there was a real fear that Cayman Islands would become a target for attack due to its strategic location along the shipping lanes from Panama to Nova Scotia in which allied vessels passed to and from the east coast of the United States.
The main barracks for the company was in Dobson Hall, just north of the fort. The building contained cots for the men to sleep on, but no mess hall - the guardsmen were expected to arrange for their own meals out of their wages."
Group that erected the marker: National Trust Cayman Islands
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
Harbour Drive
George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
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