Nov 072020
 

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of WW2. As Remembrance Day events are cancelled due to Covid, we take time to remember those that were involved with Auxiliary Units.

Whilst each person’s entry on our website is a personal memorial in itself, we have created a new page highlighting the increasing number of Memorials, Plaques and Information Boards dotted around the country.

Please take a few moments to explore the page and see what Auxiliary Memorials might be near you. We are aware that most of them are in southern England and Wales. We would love to see more recognition throughout the whole of Britain: www.staybehinds.com/memorials-connected-auxiliary-units

Of course, YOU might know of more memorials, plaques, information boards, or local features that have Aux links that we are unaware of. We’d love to hear of more and add them to our site !

We may have our social interactions curtailed this year, but we can take a virtual tour instead – Remembering Auxiliary Units: www.staybehinds.com/memorials-connected-auxiliary-units

Pictured below are Auxiliers Trevor Miners (Perranporth Patrol) and Peter Potter (Fingringhoe Patrol) at the Cenotaph March 2015, stood in front of the Tank Regiment statue at Whitehall.

Whitehall was the first HQ for Auxiliary Units.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

www.staybehinds.com

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.

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.

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