This original post-war publication, Bureaucrats in Battledress by Henry Smith, records the history of the Ministry of Food Home Guard — one of the most unusual and rarely documented Home Guard units. Produced in a small print run shortly after the war, it offers a detailed account of the department’s wartime duties, training, organisation, and personnel, complete with internal photographic plates.

Copies of this title were produced with thin card covers that are prone to wear, and surviving examples are seldom found in clean condition. This copy shows some wear to the back cover but remains complete and internally clean, with all photographic plates present. A scarce and appealing piece of Ministry of Food and Home Guard history, ideal for collectors of the wartime Home Front.

As shown in the photographs, the back cover has an area of surface paper loss affecting only the outer printed layer. This is not a tear and does not impact the integrity of the underlying card, which remains structurally sound. The book was originally produced with a two-layer card wrap, and the wear is confined solely to the top surface.

There are no pages missing, and aside from a handwritten name on the inside cover (see photos), the interior is free from markings. No pages are folded or creased, and the spine remains in very good, sound condition.