The Volunteer Defence Corps 1940 - 1945

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Copyright: Philpot, Graham
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Abstract
The aim of this thesis is to examine the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC), a voluntary and part-time organisation, from inception in 1940 until disbandment in 1945. The organisation will be analysed through political, military and social decisions that impacted on the organisation during its existence within a general military and political context. As Australia’s strategic and economic circumstances altered during the Second World War, the impact of these factors, individually and in combination, also altered. Due to the overlapping of these factors, and for ease of analysis, the approach taken is partly thematic and partly chronological. The thesis commences prior to the Second World War in order to identify the historical issues relating to the formation of a civilian controlled force that had no defined role in home defence. By doing so, the thesis can trace the development of the political and military issues affecting the Volunteer Defence Corps and the manner in which the government utilised the organisation to meet its own requirements. These ranged from a political requirement at its inception to a military need as Australia’s strategic situation changed. The difficulties faced by the Corps in adjusting to these changing roles will be examined within this context. The continuing social and propaganda value of the organisation will also be discussed. Through this examination, an assessment of the value of the Volunteer Defence Corps during the war can be reached. Despite reaching 100,000 members at its peak in 1942, there has been little scholarship examining the history of the Volunteer Defence Corps and its contribution to the nation during the Second World War. This thesis will attempt to fill the gap and argue that the Corps played an important and valuable role in supporting the Australian war effort on a political, military and social level.
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Author(s)
Philpot, Graham
Supervisor(s)
Hancock, Eleanor
Stockings, Craig
Hall, Robert
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Publication Year
2016
Resource Type
Thesis
Degree Type
Masters Thesis
UNSW Faculty
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