Norfolk Auxiliary Units And Operational Bases

This page was last updated at 12:12pm on 23/12/12

This is the overview page for the Norfolk Auxiliary Units.

In 1940, Intelligence Officer Captain Andrew Croft set up AU patrols in Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. The first patrols were created in the areas deemed most likely for a German invasion force to land first and hence being the most vulnerable: Essex, and the area of Suffolk south of Woodbridge. In the following year each of the three Counties was appointed its own own Intelligence Officer.

In 1941, Capt (Major) Nigel Oxenden MC (succeeded by Capt Woodward) served as I/O for Norfolk, with the administrative centre being at Beeston Hall near Neatishead, and the control station and radio communications centre at Rackheath Hall, to the north-east of Norwich. 201 men had been recruited, forming 11 groups, divided into 35 patrols. 40 OBs had been built and 8 more were planned. By 1942, the number of recruited men had risen to 276 and the number of patrols amounted to 45.

Confirmed Norfolk Patrols CART has substantial archived documentation and research etc. Click a patrol below to see its evidence.

Norfolk Group 1 (Norwich) - Lead by Capt RW Eades with CH Buxton and his 2nd Lt and J Page as his 2nd Sgt.

Earlham Patrol - Updated 8/9/11

Eaton Patrol - Added 19/7/11

Thorpe St. Andrew/Sprowston Patrol - Updated 8/5/12

Norfolk Group 2 - Lead by Capt. H.W.R. Mitchell

Fundenhall Patrol - Updated 16/2/12

Kirby Bedon Patrol - Added 22/9/11

Stoke Holy Cross Patrol - Added 22/11/11

Carleton St Peter Patrol  - Added 13/9/12

Norfolk Group 3 - Lead by CO Capt Duncan with PN Neave as his 2nd Lt and AG Abel as his 3rd Lt.

Aylsham Patrol - Updated 23/12/12

Baconsthorpe Patrol Updated 21/9/11

Alby / Calthorpe Patrol - Updated 23/12/12

Matlaske Patrol Updated 21/2/12

North Walsham Patrol - Updated 23/12/12

Stody Patrol - Updated 23/12/12

Norfolk Group 4 - Lead by Lt LS Harris (1940 – 1943) & Capt RW Eades

Happisburgh Patrol - Added 17/8/11

Hoveton Patrol - Updated 11/8/11

Neatishead Patrol - Added 17/8/11

Norfolk Group 5 - Lead by Lt. Harry Wharton

Mautby Patrol - Updated 21/9/12

South Walsham Patrol - Added 14/8/11

Wroxham Patrol - Updated 7/9/11

Wroxham Aux Unit Scout Section - Updated 9/1/12

Norfolk Group 6 - Lead by Lt G F Rutterford

Holkham Park Patrol - Added 5/8/11

Brancaster Patrol - Added 18/8/12

Norfolk Group 7 - Lead by Lt Richard Ralph Stanton with J Young as his 2nd Lt and W Newstead as his Lt.

Dersingham Patrol - Updated 16/2/12

Snettisham Patrol - Updated 22/12/11

Ringstead Patrol - Added 7/9/11

West Norfolk Scouts - Added 13/8/12

Norfolk Group 8 - Lead by Lt LN Brock

Ashill Patrol - Added 25/9/11

Castle Rising Patrol - Added 5/10/11

Gayton Patrol - Updated 13/8/12

Mintlyn Patrol - Added 20/9/11

Middleton Patrol - Added 18/8/12

Narford Patrol - Added 13/9/12

Norfolk Group 9 - Lead by Lt Wm W Ward with EW Longfield as his Sgt.

Fritton St Olaves Patrol - Updated 13/8/12

Somerleyton / Fritton Lake Patrol - Added 21/8/11

Norfolk Group 10 - Lead by Capt Walter G Gentle (Brandon) - Local butcher. His 2nd Lts were Eric G Field, R.F.St.B Wayne, DC Kerry/Carey and possibly GR Holmes as his 2nd Sgt.

Brandon Patrol - Added 30/12/11

Hockwold Patrol - Added 22/12/11

Fakenham Patrol - Added 27/2/12

Norfolk Group 11 - Lead by Lt LN Brook with JE Taylor as his 2nd Sgt.

Alethorpe Patrol - Updated 23/12/12

Blakeney Patrol - Added 22/8/11

Cley Patrol - Added 2/9/11

Thursford Patrol - Updated 23/12/12

Walsingham Patrol - Added 7/8/11

This list was compiled from various sources including the concentrations of names/addresses as found in the Auxiliary Units Nominal Roll (held at Kew, National Records), and the very welcome help of Evelyn Simak, Adrian Pye, Jeremy Norman and others.

Unconfirmed Norfolk Patrols
CART is awaiting further documentation etc.

You can contact our Norfolk County Information Officer here cartnorfolk@gmail.com

If you would like to write an overview of the Norfolk Auxiliary Units or you have researched them please get in touch with us.