Happisburgh Auxiliary Unit Patrol and Operational Base.

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Thank you for selecting information on the Happisburgh Auxiliary Unit Patrol and their Operational Base in Norfolk. The info and images below have been supplied by CART's Norfolk CIO, Evelyn Simak and CART's Suffolk CIO Adrian Pye.

The patrol formed part of Norfolk Group 4 which also included

Hoveton patrol and Neatishead patrol         

CO Lt LS Harris (1940 – 1943), schoolteacher - Field House, Hoveton.
National reg. Number: TRXZ 170/1

Capt  RW Eades - Norwich Wayside, Frettenham, St. Friths

• Capt Reginald William Eades started as Lt and was later promoted to Capt. He was Group 1 and 4 A & Q (Adjutant and Quartermaster).  When  Lt LS Harris was called up in 1943, Eades was promoted to Capt and Group 4 area CO.
(Info: Stephen Lewins)

It is currently unknown when the patrol was formed.

Sgt George Mervyn Deane  (Gaywood, Cromer Road, North Walsham)
Cpl Hubert Barnard Sands  (Brumstead Grange, Stalham)
William Love  (The Chimneys, Walcot) *
John Edward Owles (Park Farm, Witton) **
Philip John Harmer  (Manor Farm, Witton)
Alexander Herbert Dawson  (North Walsham) ***
P Harmer  (Manor Farm, Happisburgh)
George Milligan

Bacton Wood is owned by the Forestry Commission and managed through a partnership with North Norfolk District Council. The woodland is open to the public.

The woodland is located about 2.5 kilometres to the north-east of North Walsham and roughly the same distance to the west of Witton Bridge. The OB site is situated near a path leading along the northern edge.

A deep crater is all that remains.  We presume that the structure including all materials was removed by the Forestry Commission when the woodland was developed as a recreational area for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

According to Mr Owles and his sister, both of whom were taken to the site by their late father in the 1950s and who have visited the OB several times since, the main chamber consisted of a Nissen hut type structure with a curved roof and a drop down entrance shaft lined with corrugated sheets at its southern end.

The estimated size of the OB is 3 x 5 metres with a N/S -- 164ft ASL Orientation.  

The entrance cover was camouflaged with a layer of leaves.

A pipe hidden within a hollow tree stump was placed near the entrance.  According to Mr Owles this concealed pipe was used for dropping messages down into the chamber.

The main chamber was adjoined at the north-east end by a small room used for storing explosives.

The emergency escape exit was situated by the north-west corner. From there the exit passage ran in a zig-zag course for 45 metres, emerging at the woodland’s edge.  The whole length of it was covered with corrugated sheeting.

Observation Post/s:  Currently unknown

Currently unknown

Training nr Aldershot. Attack on Rackheath Hall. Training with explosives and sticky bombs.
Officer died during explosives training ??

 Currently unknown

* Wm. Love, who had a nanny and insisted that he took his toast and marmalade when he went out on a Sunday morning.

** Charles Owles, son of John Owles is still farming in Witton.

*** AH Dawson was a Vet in North Walsham and was best man at JE Owles’ wedding.

A Hoare, Standing up to Hitler (2002) – map page 222.  Mrs Sands (widow of Cpl Hubert Barnard Sands); Charles Owles (son of patrol member JE Owles), Witton (personal interview); Stephen Lewins CART CIO Northumberland.

If you can help with any info please contact us.