We are looking forward to returning to this cracking family-friendly show with an Aux Units display and info. See you there !
Aug 082019
Jul 232019
CART’s Somerset researcher recently laid a wreath for Major Ian Fenwick on the War Memorial and at the church in Bruton, Somerset.
Major Fenwick, a former Somerset Intelligence Officer who organised and trained Somerset Auxiliers (part of 203 Reserve Battalion GHQ), went on to join 1st SAS.
On 16th / 17th June 1944, he was dropped into Normandy a hundred miles behind enemy lines and successfully led sabotage missions against German communications. He was killed in an ambush on 7th August 1944 trying to assist his team who had been attacked. You can read a full account on the Para-Data website here: https://www.paradata.org.uk/people/ian-fenwick
Before the war Ian Fenwick was a professional cartoonist for magazines such as Punch. He had family connections and lived for a while in Bruton, Somerset.
Learn more about the Somerset Auxiliary Unit Patrols.
Jun 182019
CART will have our ‘multi-award winning display’ at Haselbury Mill on Sunday June 30th. Come along for a family fun day out and discover what Churchill’s Auxiliary Units would have done if Britain was invaded in WW2.
Apr 202019
Verdon Besley was 16 when he joined the Sandford Auxiliary Unit Patrol in Somerset. At 18 he joined the Queen’s Royal Regiment and went all the way to Berlin where his Auxiliary training came in handy.
The Patrol’s Operational Base was inside an old lead mine in the Mendip hills. Learn more about the Sandford Patrol here:
Our sympathies to his family and friends. R.I.P. Verdon Besley.
Nov 042018
A nominal roll for Special Duties Operators has yet to be found. Could it still be “Top Secret”?
Thanks to Roger Parsons of Millfield School, CART has obtained a photograph of a Special Duties Operator in Somerset.
Having married in Kuala Lumpur the couple lived in Federated Malay States (today Malaysia). During the 1910s and 20s they often travelled backward and forward from the UK, his occupation recorded as “Planter”.
www.staybehinds.com/station/edgarley-outstation
Aug 082018
CART Devon and Somerset researchers have recently managed to get a copy of a photo showing some of the Auxiliers in the Nether Stowey (nr Bridgwater, Somerset) Patrol. This is quite a rare find, as very few photos were taken of Auxiliers…
A patrol report for the Nether Stowey Patrol is on the new CART website.
Jun 202018
We would like to pass on our best wishes to Don Brown who has recently been taken ill. Don contributed to our research for the Somerset Scout Section.
He is the author of Somerset v Hitler (Secret Operations in the Mendips 1939-1945).
Don also organised a meeting of ex-Auxiliers at Charterhouse near Cheddar in 1995, where they were finally given their Defence medals.
Best wishes Don, from all at CART.
Jun 192018
Thanks to all those who stopped by the CART display at the excellent Haselbury Mill WW2 event near Crewkerne on Father’s Day. It was a great day with lots of interest and lots of leads in the South West and also Worcestershire.
From our Devon researcher, Nina: “Though the weather could have been warmer it was a busy show and well attended. We talked to a lot of people about Auxiliary Units, many hearing about them for the first time. We were also given an amazing 10 leads on OB sites in Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Worcestershire. Going to be a busy rest of year hunting for those ! Many thanks gents. Chips were great too !”
May 302018
CART will be at Haselbury Mill’s free WW2 event on Father’s Day, 17th June 2018. Take your Dad along for a little nostalgia and a chat! Haselbury Mill, Haselbury Plucknett, Nr Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 7NY
Some photos from last year:
May 092018
CART will be at Chard Museum on Sunday 20th May, with a small Auxiliary Unit display as part of the Museum’s ‘Military Day’. If you’re in the area why not drop in for a friendly chat with CART’s Somerset researcher, Chris Perry.
Chard Museum, High street, Chard TA20 1QB. Open from 10.00am.
