This rare World War I era patch features Maine’s Cape Neddick “Nubble” Lighthouse in York. Maine. This “citizen soldier” patch was worn by the Home Guard in York, Maine.

Very little has been written about the Home Guard in America, which was similar to what Great Britain had in the next World War. However, during the First World War most states had their state units (since named National Guard) that were federalized for the war effort. In their stead many states and in some cases individual communities created substitute units of civilian volunteers to provide for the protection of the previously afforded state military units, which had been shipped off to help with the war effort.

Military insignia collector and Lighthouse Digest subscriber Stephen D. Johnson shared this patch with us and it is the only one he has ever come across. If any of our readers have a patch like this or other lighthouse patches they’d like to donate, please send them to Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 250, East Machias, ME 04630.