May 082017
 

Last August we had the pleasure of filming with the team from the hit BBC show ‘Escape to the Country’ and Presenter Jonnie Irwin.

We have filmed with many media organisations in the past seven years but these guys had really done their homework and came to the site fully prepped.

The small production team interviewed our Coleshill expert Bill Ashby (Above) and with the help of National Trust Volunteers Roger Green and Bob Marchant (Below) they explored inside the new replica Operational Base. You can see a short behind the scenes video of the filming here. 

The episode aired on Tuesday 9th May 2017 on BBC One at 3pm. You can watch it here. 

Apr 182015
 

Joan Welborn 2 - Coleshill 2015On 11th April former ATS Cpl Joan Welborn returned to GHQ Coleshill for the first time in 72 years.

Joan was guided around the site by Bill Ashby, our Coleshill Researcher.

Joan arrived at Coleshill on May 22st 1943 and worked in the orderly room which was located on the first floor of the Stable Block above the stables.

Joan worked for Camp Commandant, Captain Benson who had an office nearby.  Although she had electricity her office was very cold and she used to type wearing woollen mitts.

We took her into the stable block to find her office.

Joan Welborn - Coleshill 2015

We wanted to take a photograph of Joan by the same gates she stood by in this picture with her colleagues.

Bill then showed Joan the replica Operational Base and she was brave enough to venture inside where she was met by National Trust Volunteer Roger Green.

Joan is one of only a few Coleshill staff members to return to the site after travelling down from Leeds.

Our thanks go to her and her family for a great day.

You can read more about Joan here. 

See a whole gallery of images of the trip here. 

Mar 082014
 

Aux Memorial web

National Trust volunteers, Bob Marchant, John Driskell and Roger Green have created this amazing mosaic memorial next to the replica Operational Base at GHQ Coleshill.

Bob created the mosaic which is really impressive.

Under the main Aux badge are the initials of all those that have been involved in the build of the new OB.

A great effort and a fitting tribute to the men and women of the British Resistance.

Sep 042012
 

The National Trust at Coleshill are planning another event at Coleshill later this month.

Some CART researchers will be walking around in branded hi vis tabards but CART will not have a stand at the event.

This event will be a busy interactive weekend, visitors will be encouraged to arrive in 1940’s costume, there will be prizes!

Please Note: The event is the same each day except for Saturday at noon when the OB will be opened.

To find out more about the weekend please see here

Aug 202012
 

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Keith Blaxhall. Keith was the Head Warden at Coleshill (National Trust) for over 30 years and was incredibly influential in the creation of CART and was a founding member. He died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday. Keith features on our Weapons DVD and was a real ambassador for keeping the memory of the Auxiliary Units alive.

Keith was qualified as a Building and Land Surveyor and worked for an architect, a national contractor and in local government. Keith retired in May 2011 but for more than 30 years Keith was the Head Warden for The National Trust in West Oxfordshire and managed country estates, archaeological sites and woodlands covering in all approx 10,500 acres including Coleshill. He was the secretary of The Ridgeway Military and Aviation Research Group with a museum at RAF Welford near Newbury. Keith was also a member of The Airfield Research Group and The Mosquito Aircraft Museum and contributed parts to The Assault Glider Project at RAF Shawbury.

“Keith was my first point of contact at Coleshill and he got me really fired up about the British Resistance. He then worked closely with me as CART was formed and attended all our meetings. His experience, gentle manner and wealth of knowledge will be sorely missed.” – Tom Sykes – CART Founder

“I was very sorry to here of Keith’s passing – I met Keith not long after CART was founded and was struck by his experience, knowledge and enthusiasm for local history, especially that of the Auxiliary Units. A really, really nice guy, I’m sure he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.” – Peter Antill – CART Researcher

“I’m so very sorry to read about Keith. He was a gentleman in a land where few still exist. He had qualities and standards that anyone would be proud to emulate. My thoughts are with his family. It’s they that have to bear the brunt of sorrow, loss, perhaps anger and a hole in life impossible to fill. I’m dreadfully sorry, I liked him greatly.” – Richard Ashley – CART Weapons Adviser

“Such sad news – a really great guy who went out of his way help everyone. He called me only a few days ago to tell me that he had a pile of Aux Coleshill related papers that he was going to hand over. He was in good form, his normal cheerful self and we arranged to meet up. So it is a real shock to hear of his passing. My thoughts are with his family” – Bill Ashby – CART CIO for Coleshill

” I feel privileged to have met with him and enjoyed his wonderful knowledge and humor.” Clive Bassett

That is such a shame. Will be a sad loss to us all. Sympathy to his family.” – Sallie Mogford – CART CIO for Wales

“I was much saddened to hear the news about the passing on of Keith Blaxhall who’s kind hearted sharing spirit combined with his knowlege of Auxunits and Coleshill was a great help and support for me when I was doing my own researches. He was certainly an inspiration in the way he dealt with others and passed on his own infectious enthusiasm and interest.” – Matt Gibbs – Aux Researcher and Re-Enactor

“Keith’s knowledge and enthusiasm have, I am sure, inspired many people. He was always willing to put himself out to help others and it was always a delight to meet him. He was also a good friend to Subterranea Britannica, running a number of private tours at Coleshill and will be remembered by many.” – Martin Dixon – Subterranea Britannica

He leaves a wife and family and a huge void in the hearts of local historians.

R.I.P Keith.

Dec 242011
 

The National Trust at Coleshill are planning another event next year. This event is happening mainly due to the overwhelming success of last years event on July 4th.

This info was taken from their website. It is uncertain at this time if CART will be involved. Bookmark this page on our site for more info.

Witness first hand life as a trainee Auxiliary Reserve at the grand opening of a replica WWII underground operational base at Coleshill, home of the British Resistance. Commemmorate the loss of Coleshill House on the 60th anniversary of the fire.

Step back in time at our nostalgic family weekend remembering the secret wartime volunteers, who trained up as Britain’s last line of defence in case of invasion. Check out the 70-year old Operational Base (OB), the Guard House and the Trust’s brand new underground Heritage-Lottery-funded replica OB. Get in the mood at our 1940’s street party with a Big Swing Band, drill practice with the Auxiliers, food, talks, art exhibition, re-enactments, entertainment, and a commemorative Church Service.

Source: National Trust Website

 

Jul 062011
 

This week has seen the continuation of CART’s Coleshill Uncovered project on the Coleshill estate in Oxfordshire.

More than 20 people each day are working on site to uncover and learn more about the training of the Auxiliary Units.

The project is being lead by Anna Gow and John Winterburn with help from other archaeologists.

So far we have uncovered the suspected entrance to another operational base. See below.

You can see there are two holes in either side of entrance. These are where part of the counter weighted system would have been housed. The drawing below was drawn at Coleshill and given out to Auxiliers as part of their course notes. It clearly shows the same system and notice the pulleys? Below the drawing you can see the pulleys that we have found.

We have also discovered so far what we believe to be part of a radio dial. In part of the woods that we are working they used to make TRD radio sets. About 250 in number. You can see below the dial and also an image of a modern mock up of the Auxiliary radio which can be seen at the Museum of the British Resistance Organisation.

Source: John Warwicker

More images can be seen here

The work at Coleshill will end this Thursday afternoon.

Jun 052011
 

Yesterday teams from CART and Subterranea Britannica explored the water tunnels and the cellars next to the remains of Coleshill House.

Work started at 9 am and ran till 4pm and 8 people in total took part. The purpose of the work was two fold. Firstly CART wanted to see if the cellars were used for anything during the war and they also needed to measure the complete area for their Reborn project.

Secondly Sub Brit wanted to explore the water mines and also make an assessment on their condition for the landowners, the National Trust.

Both organisations had a great day. Images and video from the day can be seen here

 

May 232011
 

 

 

 

 

After the success of the evaluation weekend work at Coleshill the National Trust has now been given the green light to stage two.

This is due to happen from Sunday 2nd July to Thursday 7th July at the Coleshill estate on the Oxfordshire/Wiltshire border.

In January 2011 the evaluation weekend (Stage One) located the remains of structures that were previously unknown, as well as discovering many finds including a very well preserved bayonet.

In Stage Two the team plan to re-visit the concrete bases that were previously cleared and will add trenches next to the structures, which will hopefully provide them with either further information about the construction of the original buildings.

Other remains like the suspected ‘Generator Base’ and military vehicle servicing ramp will be cleared of vegetation so they can build a clearer picture of their uses.

During Stage One, a number of strong signals were logged from both metal detecting and geophysics that the team plan to follow-up on.  Some small test trenches may be put in to further investigate these.

The Coleshill Uncovered team are looking for volunteers to help search for further evidence of the headquarters and training grounds of Churchill’s secret Auxiliary Units.

Anyone over 18 years of age can participate and no experience of archaeology is needed. As the project has no funding the organisers have to charge a fee of £75 per person and this will cover you for the week.

For more info and terms of involvement please go to coleshill uncovered