Ken Maryan Green was a central figure in the Special Duties branch in Essex. Fortunately he kept a considerable part of his correspondence from his wartime service giving a rare insight into its operation. He was the husband of Elsie “Laura” who was also a Special Duties operator.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hockley Outstation | Group Leader | Unknown | 20 Jul 1944 |
Investment advisor London Stock Exchange
1919 He was commissioned Second Lieutenant and served in Russia (also in Russia at the time were Gubbins, Croft and Harston who would all serve as officers with Auxiliary Units).
1921 Letter from the War Office stating that he relinquishes his rank due to enlisting in the Territorial Force.
1931 Letter from War Office stating that he is granted the rank of Second Lieutenant due to discharge from the Territorial Army.
1940 He joined the Local Defence Volunteers shortly after formation and was the local commander in Hockley. His family still have his Home Guard insignia.
6 Jun 1940 He wrote to Platoon Commanders of the Local Defence Volunteers, from his home, described as Local Defence Headquarters, explaining what was expected of the newly organised volunteers. Recruitment had only commenced on 14 May 1940.
9 Jun 1940 Letter from Ken to his wife, who was living away from home, in which he mentions Local Defence Volunteers Officers and action "...the necessity to create & keep going a successful detachment...." Colonel Robinson......Warely Ranges..... Deavin...Norrier trying to pinch some of our men....... Captain Parker took me over to the aerodrome last night..." He may have eased up on the Local Defence Volunteers as by July 1940 he is looking for something worthwhile to help the war.
In July 1940 Kenneth Maryan Green was staying at 10 Astley Avenue, London, N.W.6. (He was a stockbroker).
13 July 1940 – he received a letter from the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Aircraft production acknowledging suggestions for the ‘Appeal for aluminium’. It was addressed in error to Morgan Green a common mistake people made confusing a hand written Maryan with Morgan.
On 25 July 1940 Ken got a letter from 10 Downing Street saying that Employing Departments tend to ignore any suggestions they (‘No.10 Staff’) put forward. We guess another attempt by Ken to find some help in getting a position.
How he was eventually recruited into Special Duties is unknown perhaps he made contact with one of the officers from his time in Russia.
In late 1940, Don Handscombe was being recruited to Auxiliary Units by Fred Harris, Thundersley Patrol Leader. However he was asked to meet Ken Maryan Green and described him as a "civilian cut out". He arranged a meeting with CG Ford who was in change of the Patrols in the area and would later be Group Commander. Special Duties members were rarely known to the Patrols, so this is unusual and suggests that at least three Patrol members in the area knew of his involvement.
Ken Maryan Green also kept a series of papers from a course at Coleshill House. These appear to be quite early in the formation of Auxiliary Units as they refer to "Dumps", which were created by the Home Defence Organisation in the summer of 1940.
In 1941 he was in possession of a pass signed by Colonel Major to be shown if stopped. This refers to Special Duty and is numbered 372, perhaps suggesting the minimum size of the branch at this stage. He came under command of Captain Freddie Childe who sent him hand written letters from Great Yeldham complimenting him on good work and looking forward to visiting again. The first letter was addressed as Dear Green but by the Special Duties stand down in July 1944 they had become close friends.
7 Apr 1942 he was issued with another Pass this time from the Chief Constable of Essex stating that Ken Green was employed on Special Duties with Auxiliary Units.
At about this time (8th Apr) he wrote to both the Belgium and Norwegian Government Information Offices in London asking for an interview. Ken’s daughter believes that this was to discuss their resistance organisations.
On 17 Aug 1942 he received a letter from Captain Fingland of Coleshill thanking him for a copy of a letter the Germans got the Superintendent of Leslau (Poland) to give the residents - 20 minutes notice to evacuate their houses.
In 1943 Freddie Childe’s letters came from his new base at Hill Top, Dales, Ipswich, Suffolk.
Colonel Ramsay wrote in 18 August 1943 enjoyed my visit - impressed with work.
11-13 Dec 1943 - Exercise "Talbot" an exercise arranged to test Key Men and Observers and practice communications. The exercise covered a series of locations from the Wash around the coast down to Southend.
28 Jan 1944 Freddie Childe wrote about Special Wireless arrangements - priority, silence and intense activity. Further instructions followed in February about priority messages. These may have related to Operation Fortitude.
Read article about Operation Fortitude.
17 Feb 1944 Peter Forbes wrote thanking Ken for his work and tell him of his move to the Staff College and of his replacement Freddie Childe. Note: He states that Kenneth is a Group Leader. This seems to be the term for those in charge of a whole area for Special Duties. Key Man is a term used for those beneath the Group Leader, with Observers below them.
23 Feb 1944 Colonel Douglas wrote saying Major Forbes has shown me the exam papers you set for your Key Men and Observers - well done
3 Mar 1944 Captain Childe wrote from Coleshill that he was enjoying his new post and seeing the nationwide set up - will keep in touch.
25 Jun 1944 Another exercise involved a series of messages that were recorded as being sent from Chiswell 3 to Chiswell (Instation)
Daughter Stephanie
Don Handscombe quoted in Churchill's Underground Army, John Warwicker
1939 Register