Hebron Auxiliary Unit and Operational Base

This O.B is still partially intact. The main body of the shelter is still in place and holding up the earth above it.

The entrance hole and the bolt hole have collapsed The bolt hole leading from (he O.B. towards a stream looks to have been built from cut wooden railway sleepers, now rolled.

The bolt hole tunnel heads in a downward direction from the steep bank that the O.B. is built upon. It is possible to enter the O.B with caution, via the opposite end to the entrance. Here the corrugated iron sheeting has come apart allowing access.

The site is in woods near the village of Hebron, Northumberland. It is located near a track through the woods on high ground overlooking a stream. Again this would be useful for prolonged stays in the O.B. and follows a standard pattern adopted in the Northumberland area.

This O.B. was built by 184(s) Tunnelling Company R.E.

World War 2 map reference. - qU 688 108. Modem NZ 203 906

Hebron Cell members (as accurate as possible): -

LT. W.A. Mitchell
SGT J. Hine
PTE. H. McBryde
PTE M. McBryde
PTE. J.S.Moore
J.R. Davidson

Licutenanl W.A. Mitchell became Mayor of Morpeth during his lifetime.

The letter below was sent to Jimmy Moore of the Hebron patrol after his duties at Balmoral. Jimmy was a farmer at Longhirst north of Morpeth. Our thanks go to Bill Rickalton who has kindly said we can show this on our website.

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Page text and images supplied by Stephen Lewins.