Frank Stuart Platten

Platten was commissioned into the Royal Artillery. He was apparently a family friend of George McNicoll, Kent's Intelligence Officer, perhaps because they had met him through Territorial Army service. Reportedly he served from 1939, suggesting he also had a period in the ranks. It is not entirely clear when he joined Auxiliary Units, but it appears likely to have been in late 1942 or early 1943. He is believed to have been the Scout Section Officer for the section at Wenmans Cottage, being pictured there and also alongside Captain McNicoll as Intelligence Officer at the Garth. Auxiliers recalled him being responsible for explosives training. On 23 Nov 1943 Lieutenant Platten was promoted Acting Captain and took over as the Intelligence Officer for Kent, being confirmed Temporary Captain 3 months later. He remained until the role ceased to exist in the later half of 1944 as part of the post D-Day wind down of the regular Army component of Auxiliary Units. By 1946 he was listed as a retired officer and also received the Efficiency Decoration (Territorial), confirming his TA service.