Worlaby Auxiliary Unit Patrol and Operational Base.

Thank you for selecting information on the Worlaby Auxiliary Unit Patrol and their Operational Base in Lincolnshire. 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 Area North 1 - Group 1 which also included

Barton-on-Humber Patrol         Lincoln Group 1 (1b)
Elsham Patrol                        Lincoln Group 1 (1c)
Saxby All Saints Patrol           Lincoln Group 1 (1d)
Great Limber Patrol                Lincoln Group 1 (1e)

CO Lt. H Marshall – The Grange, Saxby All Saints

It is currently unknown when the patrol was formed.

  Sgt L Clark TNFO 29/6
  Cpl F T S Turner JCHG 38/5
  Pte H Jackson
  Pte G Elsom
  Pte W Wilson
  Pte J Harper
  Pte R Healey

The OB is situated on private land and is built into the slope of a disused marl pit located near the Worlaby St Clement’s church.

Size: Main chamber: 3.50 L x 2.30 W x 2.10m H

Ammunition store: 1.80 L x 1.20m wide, with corrugated sheeting as roof

Toilet cubicle: 0.80 x 0.60 cm

Orientation: ESE/WNW

CART visited the OB site with John Andrew and Dennis Holloway in order to assess condition, take measurements and photographic records.

This is one of 15 Lincolnshire OBs that were built by John Sheffield of Scunthorpe with Royal Engineers labouring. It was constructed from prefabricated concrete panels that were bolted together. Breezeblocks were used for building end walls, ammo store and entrance and exit passages.
Entrance passage, main chamber, ammunition store, toilet cubicle and emergency exit passage all are well ventilated and in excellent condition. Paving slabs cover the floors. (See drawing above)

The structure was accessed through a breezeblock passageway, the opening of which was built into the upper slope of the disused marl pit. Presumably the opening would originally have been secured by a well-camouflaged, centrally pivoted hatch that would not have required a counterweight due to both ends being evenly balanced. (see below)

Main chamber looking towards the entrance.

Main chamber looking towards the ammo store.

Entrances: Entrance: 0.60 x 1.40m passage; swivel hatch.
Exit: 6m long passage; 2.20m rise with stone pedestal on floor and one steel rung across corner; 0.70 x 0.80 cm opening; drop and slide hatch.

The short entrance passage leads into the main chamber which has a water pipe coming through the wall near the rear doorway. This pipe connects with the zinc water tank above (outside). (See images below)

The water tank is situated outside the structure at about roof level height, immediately above the east side of the main chamber. The tank would once have been covered with corrugated sheeting and camouflaged.

The doorway at the main chamber’s rear end gives access to an ammunition store. It was built from breezeblocks and has a roof constructed from corrugated sheeting. (Above left) End of emergency exit passage with exit opening.

(Above right) A 6m long exit passage turns off at right angles, leading past a toilet cubicle that has been integrated into it. The toilet is located diagonally across from the ammunition store. 

The emergency exit passage has breezeblock walls, and a concreted floor and roof. It leads downwards via several steps with its floor being about 2.20m below ground level at its end.

A concrete block on the floor and one sturdy steel rung set across a corner (still in situ) would have provided easy and quick exit.

The exit (above) opening would once have been secured by a well-camouflaged drop and slide hatch.

Other physical remains:  Water tank: (Above right) 0.60 W x 1.80 L x 0.60m deep (zinc)
                                        Water pipe (Above left) with tap running through wall into main chamber
                                        Paving slabs on main chamber’s floor
                                        Ceramic vent pipes

Observation Post/s:  Currently unknown

RAF Kirmington, railway line and railway bridges in the vicinity.

Locally within the area the patrol operated or at the regional headquarters at Wellingore, Blankney or Dalby.  All patrols also went to Coleshill for specialist training

 Currently unknown

Many thanks to John Andrew and Dennis Holloway for taking us there.

Mark Sansom, The Secret Army, Heritage Lincolnshire (2004); John Andrew, Barton upon Humber (personal interview); Dennis Holloway; Stephen Lewins CART CIO Northumberland

If you can help with any info please contact us.