Creech Barrow Auxiliary Unit Patrol

A report by Will Ward - CART CIO for Dorset. If you can help with any info please contact Will by emailing cartdorset@gmail.com

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Auxiliary Patrol: Creech Barrow - near Church Knowle (close to the Blue Pool tourist attraction)
Patrol codename: Unknown.

The map on the sign below shows the location of the OB

The following are the entries found in the Nominal Roll, with any research notes etc, given in [  ].

Exact addresses have been removed by CART.

Fred Simpson recalls that two members of the patrol were called up to the mines, and were replaced. Jack Hatchard certainly went to the mines in February 1944. However, it appears that Wilf Stockley, Eli Kitcatt, Jack Hatchard, Les and Doug Green may all have been later additions to the patrol. The Aux Units Nominal roll records Wilf Stockley as joining on 2/2/1942 (this may just refer to regular Home Guard), though the Dorset Home Guard records have him transferring from No.6 Company to the Aux Section on 10/2/1943. The same records have Doug Green transferring on 1/3/1942 from No.2 Company. Les Green left the same company in November 1942, presumably to join Aux Units. Eli Kitcatt is down as joining on 30/9/42 and Jack Hatchard on 11/3/1943 according to the nominal roll. It is not exactly clear when the patrol was formed and it may be that the men served with the Aux Units before all the paperwork was properly sorted out.

(Left. Fred Simpson with Tommy Gun)

Fred Simpson was a farm worker and was recruited with two other men from he Home Guard, joining up with men from other Home Guard units to form the patrol. He was initially a corporal before being promoted to Sergeant.

Doug Green was also a farmworker. His cousin Les Green was a clayworker from Church Knowle was Wilf Stockley, while Eli Kitcatt apparently drove the clay train. The Hatchards were from Furzebrook.

The patrol built their own base to begin with but it collapsed and they built another. The location of these is not known.

Eventually the Royal Engineers were sent to build a more substantial OB. The remains survive just off a footpath and can be easily visited. Map ref SY939828. The main entrance shaft had a hatch operated by a remote cable. The first chamber contained the equipment and tables. There was a second chamber, unusually set at an angle with a short connecting tunnel, apparently to deflect blast, though it isn’t clear if this would have worked. The second chamber held naval type hammocks in a star pattern suspended from the centre. At the end of this chamber was the escape exit. What survives is the entrance shaft and the walls of the two chambers, though the corrugated iron roofs have collapsed.

The Entrance Shaft

Composite view from inside the first chamber

Observation Post/s:

Currently unknown. 

These included the railway from Swanage to Wareham and the main line from Weymouth which passed through Wareham. They also practiced against Holton Heath Munitions factory.

Apart from training to attack the above targets, they also regularly travelled to the Dorset HQ at Duntish Court, Buckland Newton for training. Fred Simpson reckoned to make a small profit on the journey as a mileage allowance was payable. He also recalled going to Coleshill at least once.

In 1944 the patrol was mobilised to provide a week’s guard for the underground bunkers of the radar station near Worth Matravers. This was part of the defences against possible German counter rads around the time of D Day. Another patrol took over from them.
 

In 2009 a memorial stone was erected near to the OB. It lists the men involved and a sign alongside has pictures of the men and a rough plan of the layout of the OB. It was erected by the Royal British Legion.

The memorial stone to the Creech Barrow seven

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/8124391.Purbeck_s__secret_seven__were_war_heros/

http://www.dorsetlife.co.uk/2009/11/staying-behind/

Audio tape made by Fred Simson (CART archives)

If you can help with any info please contact Will Ward the CART CIO for Dorset by emailing cartdorset@gmail.com