Nov 112019
 

This years Cenotaph memorial march in London was attended by Jim Gascoyne, John Hewett and Stewart Bates. Our thanks to them for Auxiliary Units representation.

Here’s what Jim had to say: “We were sandwiched between WRVS ladies (charming) and RSPCA officers (funny) with RAF Police alongside and Royal Military Police a few yards behind us. The Duke of York took the salute before we dispersed from Horseguards Parade. A personal Thank You from me for ensuring that the CART slot was maintained at the RBL Cenotaph Remembrance Parade. Best regards, Jim Gasgoyne.”

CART’s Roger Green and Bill Ashby attended the memorial service at Coleshill, remembering all those from the village that gave their lives. They also laid a wreath in memory of Aux Units.

In Somerset CART’s Chris Perry laid 2 wreaths at Somerton war memorial: One to all the men and women that served in the Aux Units in Somerset, and one to Major Ian Fenwick, the late John ‘Tiny’ Kidner of Somerton & all the men that served in the SAS.

We will remember them

Nov 092019
 

Auxiliary Units were not only the Spirit of Resistance. Their contributions enabled regular soldiers to fight away from home soil, tested defences at home, and led to many joining the SAS. The secret radio network (Special Duties Branch) broadcast huge amounts of ‘radio noise’ in the coastal areas of the south east of England that helped build a misleading picture of a D-Day invasion coming from Kent to Calais. All this and not a word to anyone, and with little or no recognition.

We will remember them.

These excerpts from Auxilier Geoff Ratcliff of East Bergholt Patrol, Suffolk paint a vivid picture of what it was like to have been a Patrol member. Reading his full account will take 2 minutes: www.staybehinds.com/patrol/east-bergholt-patrol

” In June 1940 I became a member of the Home Guard, L.D.V. (Local Defence Volunteer) as it was first called. Soon after I was selected for what was said to be a very special job… “

“… one was left with the impression that we were really rather special, I was seventeen and cynicism was not in my vocabulary.”

” The ground sloped away to a free flowing stream some fifty yards away. This would be our water provider, in 1940 this water could be safely drunk.”

” … if they went off when you were priming plastic explosive or a hand grenade or a sticky bomb then of course the whole lot went including you. ”

” All in all we were well equipped but no mention how stocks would be replenished if it ever happened. I suppose it was assumed one would not last longer than the supplies.”

Read Geoff’s full account here

We will remember them

May 292015
 

British Resistance March Banner 2015This Remembrance Sunday we will have the chance for twelve people to march past the Cenotaph on Whitehall again.

If you know of a surviving member of the Operational Patrols or the Special Duties Branch who would like to march or if you are related to one and would like the chance to be involved please email hq@coleshillhouse.com as soon as possible. See more here.

Nov 102014
 

Yesterday an Auxilier and ten Aux relatives and researcher marched down Whitehall in London lead by Lucy Fleming, daughter of Kent Auxiliary Unit Intelligence Officer Captain Peter Fleming. This is only the second time that members of the British Resistance have taken part in the Remembrance day parade on London.

march20140news-1

Auxilier Trevor Miners from Perranporth Patrol was the wreath bearer and marched for the second time with his two sons.
After the march a small reception took place at The Farmers Club thanks to help from one of their members Philip Merricks OBE who also marched (Far left in image below)

march20140news-2

An original Aux badge was donated to the group on the day by marcher Neil Bent. Neil’s father was the patrol leader of the Nerrols Farm Patrol in Somerset. The badge will now be sold to help raise funds for future outreach.

march20140news-3

See video and images of the day here or on our Facebook page.

Oct 172014
 

Trevor Miners-postcard

Next month we will be marching past the Cenotaph on Whitehall again on Remembrance Sunday. Auxilier Trevor Miners (seen above) will be carrying the wreath. Please do watch on TV and stand to remember the brave men and women of the British Resistance Movement.

Also keep an eye on this page for any press or information updates.

Aug 262014
 

Lucy Fleming, daughter of Peter Fleming who was one of the founding members of the Auxiliary Units, will lead the Remembrance Sunday march.

Lucy Fleming

(Pic by www.curtisbrown.co.uk)

We are delighted to announce that Lucy Fleming, daughter of Peter Fleming a key member of the British Resistance or Auxiliary Units, will lead the group of veterans and relatives, who are marching for just the second time past the Cenotaph in November. Lucy is also the niece of James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

Peter Fleming was brought in by Colonel Gubbins who was asked by Churchill to set up the first organised resistance force in Europe. Fleming helped to build some of the first OBs in the country, often in genius guises such as enlarged badger sets.

Tom Sykes, founder of the British Resistance Archive said. “To have a member of the Fleming family leading the veterans and relatives of the Auxiliary Units is something very special indeed as Peter was so integral in establishing the patrols throughout the country.

“Last year’s march was incredibly important for us as it was the first time that veterans and relatives of the Auxiliary Units had marched. Although they have never been officially recognised by the Government, it represented a chance for the public to finally recognise the bravery of these civilian volunteers. To be accepted for a second year is fantastic and to have Lucy leading will, I know, be a great honour for all those involved.”

Lucy Fleming is an actress and also helps to run Ian Fleming Publications. Her father was a renowned author and explorer who was head of D (Deception) Division later in the war. Lucy says: “It is a huge honour to be leading this group of remarkable veterans and relatives. Had the worst happened in the uncertain days of 1940 these men and women would have put everything at risk to protect their country, which is a commitment that should never be forgotten.”

To hear more about the Auxiliary Units or the Cenotaph march please see here.

If you are a former Auxiliary Unit member or relative who wishes to march please contact hq@coleshillhouse.com

Nov 052013
 

Remembrance-Sunday

This remembrance Sunday (10th November) remaining veterans of what would have been Britain’s last line of defence against an invading German army will proudly march past the Cenotaph for the very first time.

The British Resistance, or Auxiliary Units as they were known, were formed of volunteers who were too old or too young to be called up, or in reserved occupations. They were picked because of their intimate knowledge of their local surrounding areas and were often farmers, gamekeepers or poachers.

In the event of an invasion they were to go directly to their operational bases (OBs) hidden underground throughout the British countryside, without letting a soul know where they were going or their mission.  Once in their OB these highly trained volunteers would wait for the invading army to pass over them and then come out at night and disrupt the enemy’s supply chain, cut vital communications, ‘deal’ with collaborators and generally try to make a nuisance of themselves to allow the regular forces to counter-attack.

Such was the danger of their mission the life expectancy of an Auxiliary Unit member was only expected to be a fortnight after the invasion started. They signed the Official Secrets Act and never told their nearest relatives or friends what they had to do, most never revealed even after the war, taking their secrets to the grave.

Another group that will be represented at the Cenotaph for the first time will be the volunteers of the Special Duties Branch. These volunteer civilian’s and ATS personnel were to gather information on the invading army’s forces, numbers of vehicles, specific regiments etc and pass this on covertly to the regular forces via a secret radio network.

The Coleshill Auxiliary Research Team, (CART) the group behind the British Resistance Archive, the largest collection of research into this highly secretive group, has worked with the Royal British Legion to ensure these veterans are included in the march past, representing their first official recognition.

Tom Sykes, founder of CART said. “We are hugely proud to have made it possible for veterans and families of volunteers no longer with us to march on Sunday 10th.

“Although we are finding out more about these groups of civilians and the extraordinary lengths that they were prepared to go to protect their country, we are sadly meeting fewer and fewer surviving members. Soon we will be left with none, and so the importance of the work our researchers are undertaking throughout the country takes on even more significance.

“The situation could very well be that this will be the first and the last time these veterans will get the nationwide recognition they deserve and so this Sunday will be a hugely moving and proud day for all of us involved.”

Read more about the Cenotaph march http://www.coleshillhouse.com/march-at-the-cenotaph-campa…

Aug 292013
 

The Farmers Club

We are pleased to announce we have confirmed the location for the after march gathering on Remembrance Sunday in London.

The Farmers Club, Whitehall, have kindly agreed to host the small ticket only gathering.

Tickets are very limited but you can buy one here for just £10 per person (No more than 3 per family). The price includes a drink and a light lunch.

Nov 152011
 

Each year the Home Guard and Bevin Boys are represented on Remembrance Sunday and march past the Cenotaph on Whitehall.

CART feels strongly that members of the British resistance should also be represented separately to the Home Guard.

Please show your support and get involved here