As we were preparing a re-vamped version of our Weapons & Explosives DVD we came across a short piece of video which we have never shared with anyone.
It features the late Keith Blaxhall guiding Coleshill trained Auxilier Bob Millard around the Coleshill training Operational Base.
Keith was the Head Warden at Coleshill for many years and he loved sharing all his knowledge. Bob explains how things were done in his OB.
Enjoy
Norwich Zero Station – Many 0f our researchers believe this to be the most significant ‘find’ in terms of research into the Special Duties Section in the last decade.
In the spring of 2012, we were contacted by a retired grounds man who informed us about the existence of a secret WWII ‘bunker’ and a meeting was arranged within the same week.
Armed with spades, shovels, a crow bar, and a metal detector we met the owners’ development manager at the site. What we found left us quite breathless (in more than one way)
The property owners acted swiftly and with great responsibility in that the in-house surveyors as well as Norfolk County archaeologists were informed 
within hours. Furthermore, thanks to the owners’ generosity and trust we were the first to carry out a detailed survey before anyone else came on site, and for this we are immensely grateful. Bound by our promise not to talk about what we had seen, we quietly continued our research and we produced a report to be used for guidance by all concerned – knowing that nobody would be familiar with what they would be seeing, and that for this reason not only would many small details go unnoticed but, more importantly, the importance of this find might not be fully understood. Nowhere in the UK was there another Zero-station in a similar state of preservation and with so many original features still in place. Consequently, we suggested that the structure is of national importance and that it should for this reason be preserved in its entirety.
In due course, the Norfolk County archaeologists requested our presence when conducting their own assessment – needless to say that we were very pleased to be invited to meet them. To our great delight, they unanimously decided on the spot to involve National Heritage, resulting in the Zero station being declared a Scheduled Monument of national importance. Our report now forms part of the archaeological survey of the site.
Our thanks go to the landowner and the hard work Evelyn and Adrian have put in to producing this report.
See the full exclusive report here
Today we have added a report by Stephen Lewins our CIO for Northumberland.
The Stobswood patrol also known as “The Death or Glory Boys” were based near Widdrington Station and Stobswood, two mining villages in the south east of Northumberland.
You can read his report here
Andy Gwynee, our CIO for Yorkshire has visited the huge Rise Operational Base. This OB was used as the Yorkshire HQ for some time before it moved to Middleton-on-the-Wolds. It was somewhat custom built by the plans made from Captain Peter Hollis who was the Commanding Officer / Intelligence Officer for East Riding.
Being the HQ OB this dictated its size so it would accommodate extra supplies for other Patrols and could accommodate other Patrol members who’s own Patrol OB had been destroyed or discovered.
His exclusive report, video and images can be seen here
Phil Evans, CART’s CIO for Kent, spent all day on Sunday at the OB clearing it out with the help of a friend.
The first part of the visit was spent measuring bits they had missed on the last trip. Then they made some temporary fixes to the ventilation system to stop debris blocking them. The final job for this trip was to clear the silt from in-between the walls where the water tank sat. Very hard work but they managed to achieve their goal. Worst bit over hopefully!!
Follow Phil’s work here
We have the opportunity to restore an Operational Base in Kent. Due to the nature of the work, and the fact that certain members of the public like to go and destroy these precious time capsules, the location is a closely guarded secret.
We are calling the project Operation Turnip as many of the patrols in Kent were named after vegetables.
Phil Evans, our CIO for Kent, will manage the work on the ground and CART HQ will oversea the project and fund raise.
A small team of experts will be called upon to advise on the restoration and we will use our own internal archive and researchers knowledge around the UK to fit out the OB as authentically as possible.
We hope to then open the space at certain times of the year for guided tours, press calls and to allow re-enactors to stay inside.
We suggest you bookmark this page to follow our work.
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
After scouring the Internet for Aux related research again this afternoon, I came across a video by thebritishww2man
He is a follower of our YouTube account and has made a model of an Aux Unit OB (Operational Base) from Lego.
You can see his video below. His attention to detail and knowledge of the Aux Units is very good.
Tonight we have added a patrol and OB in Greenlaw, Scotland.
The OB has sadly been bricked up but our researcher David Blair has found out lots more about the patrol.
See it all here
Bill Ashby has kindly donated these images of his father Lieutenant W. Ashby digging a Operational base somewhere in Sussex.
As far as CART knows, these are the only known pictures of an OB being built.