This page was last updated at 4:36pm on 30/1/12
A teaser film for the exhibition can be seen here
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 Sallie Mogford and Owen Sheers. Unconfirmed
Welsh Patrols Easau (Usk) Patrol Jephtha (Abergavenny) Patrol Absalom (Cwmbran) Patrol Noah Patrol Lucifer (Raglan) Patrol Cymmer/Portcawl Patrol Laurchne Patrol Letterston Patrol Milford Haven Patrol
The Auxiliary Units in Monmouthshire
In all, there were 8 Auxiliary Units or patrols as they
were known, in Monmouthshire. Each had biblical names such as Jonah (Llanwern), Moses (Bassaleg), Esau (Usk), Abraham
(Chepstow), Lucifer (Raglan), Jeptha (Abergavenny) and Isaac. Each patrol consisted of between 6 and 7
specially selected local men, stationed in secret Operations Bases (OB’s) across costal areas of Monmouthshire.
Satellite ammunition storage bunkers were located close by.
Each unit worked in isolation but met up for group
training sessions. In the event of invasion, the patrols would not have been in contact and would have worked
individually in their own areas.
(Above) A photo taken on 12th September 1997. It shows members of Jonah, Moses and Esau Patrols as well
George Vater from Special Duties. Thanks to Bill King for the picture.
The Intelligence Officers for Monmouthshire region.
The IO recruited for the Monmouthshire region was Captain John Todd, a city stockbroker
by trade. He was most often seen in ‘mufti’ wearing a hat with fishing flies attached. He was described by all
who knew him as an eccentric country gentleman. He went under the alias Tommy Atkins and came from Llanvihangel
Crucorny near Abergavenny. In Wales, he was nicknamed ‘Sweeney Todd’. We can assume that John Todd came in to
set up the organisation, and then appoint a local man as permanent IO as happened in Herefordshire and
Worcestershire. It is possible that John Todd was appointed by a Colonel Hughes. He was later replaced by a
Captain Sandford followed by Lloyd Bucknell in 1943.
The objectives of the Intelligence Officers were as follows:
• To form Auxiliary Units, selecting localities and personnel,
• To distribute and conceal the special stores (firearms, ammunition and explosives) • To train personnel in their duties and in the use of the special stores. • To act as liaison officers between the military Commanders and the Units
Sandford covered Monmouthshire as did Group leaders Capts Ceri Bates, Charles Jones and
Bev Lyon all of Newport. Bev Lyon was a lieutenant and his regional HQ was based in the Bulmer’s Cider Works
outside Hereford. Charles Jones lived in Penhow opposite where Johnsons store used to be located. He was known
locally as a formidable man who did not tolerate fools gladly.
What was expected of these brave
men?
In the event of a German invasion the members of Auxiliary Patrols had the following
objectives:
• To blow up petrol dumps,
• To lay mines and booby traps across roads and paths and to cut railway lines. • To blow down trees across roads to hinder German advances • To execute if necessary any isolated German sentries who got in the way of their sabotage efforts. • To take the life of fellow comrades if capture was inevitable. • To hasten the death of fellow comrades should they be fatally injured • To sabotage German water and food supplies. • To execute collaborators if absolutely necessary.
Colin Gubbins had a nine point guerrilla creed laid down in his top secret training
publication ‘The Art of Guerrilla Warfare’ The principles of this type of warfare are as
follows:
a) Surprise first and foremost, by finding out the enemy’s plans and concealing your
own intentions and movements
b) Never undertake an operation unless certain of success owing to careful planning and good information. Break off the action when it becomes too risky to continue. c) Ensure that a secure line of retreat is always available d) Choose areas and localities for action where your mobility will be superior to that of the enemy, owing to better knowledge of the country, lighter equipment, etc. e) Confine all movements as much as possible to the hours of darkness. f) Never engage in a pitched battle unless in overwhelming strength and thus sure of success. g) Avoid being pinned down in a battle by the enemy’s superior forces or armament: break off the action before such a situation can develop. h) Retain the initiative at all costs by redoubling activities when the enemy commences counter-measures. i) When the time for action comes, act with the greatest boldness and audacity. The partisan’s motto is - Valiant but Vigilant.
Listen to a Sallie Mogford talking about her Welsh Auxiliary relatives on Radio 4 below. Broadcast on "Questions, Questions" on Radio 4 28/1/2010 Read Owen Sheer's book "Resistance" set in Wales. Full story here If you would like to write an overview of the Welsh Auxiliary Units or you have researched them please get in touch with us.
Are you interested in our history during WW2? Fancy helping us grow our research and being part of a national team of volunteer historians? Please email Tom at hq@coleshillhouse.com |
Confirmed Welsh Patrols
We need a researcher for the west side of Wales.
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