Haricot Auxiliary Unit Patrol and Operational Base.

This page was last updated at 2:03pm on 30/12/11

Thank you for selecting information on the Haricot Auxiliary Unit Patrol and their Operational Base in Hastingleigh, Kent. The info and images below have been supplied by CART CIO for Kent Phil Evans.

The first I.O for Kent was Grenadier Guards Captain Peter Fleming. He was the man responsible for setting up the Units in Kent under the name of the XII corps Observation Unit. In late 1940 he left and a Royal Fusilier Captain Norman Field then took over as I.O. At some point in Normans command he split Kent in two. West Kent came under the command of Captain George MacNicholl and Norman commanded East Kent. In late 1941 Norman was taken away from the Units and George MacNicholl took over as I.O. for the whole of Kent for the rest of the war.

It is currently unknown when the patrol was formed.

Patrol Leader was Peter Leonard,
Ron Martin,
Jack Long,
Jim Scott (dropped out due to age),
Alf Southern (Dropped out due to age),
Trevor Lockwood
Alan Chester

Location 1: A local Manor Ruins (Exact location known to CART)

The patrol utilised the cellars of a local mansion that was pulled down just before the war. But this location was considered unsafe because it was to close to the road so the O.B. was moved. The base is located on private land so please do not visit.

 
 
Location 2: Ice House
This was chosen as a better base as it was more secluded than the Manor. The only downside was the lack of escape exit. Joists were put up to make floors and on the lower level weapons and explosives were stored. A table on a hinge was used as trap door to get to the lower level. Unfortunately the Ice House was long ago destroyed when landowner at the time was clearing space.

Observation Post/s: Not known

No specific targets were given to this patrol.

Trained at the Garth a couple of times a month and also used a local field.

 Currently unknown

 Currently unknown

Currently not given.

If you can help with any info please contact us.