Beckley Patrol

A.K.A. (nickname)
Broad Oak Patrol
County Group
Locality

Beckley is a village in the Rother district of East Sussex five miles northwest of Rye.

Patrol members
Name Occupation Posted from Until
Sergeant Ben George Fryer

Farmer

08 Aug 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private Harry Comport

Farmer managing mother's farm

17 Nov 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private Leonard Dean

Working farm foreman

07 Apr 1941 03 Dec 1944
Private Cyril Norman Fryer

Farmer

08 Aug 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private Frederick Ernest Noakes

Farm worker assisting father

09 Jun 1941 03 Dec 1944
Private Sidney Scott

Dairy farmer

Unknown Unknown
Private Edmund Lionel Wray

Farmer

Unknown Unknown
Operational Base (OB)

The Operational Base is thought to be in Moores Wood between Beckley and Broad Oak, 500 yards to the east of Glasseye Farm, the home of Sidney Scott.

Sidney Scott's son Robert recalled visiting after the war to find it partially destroyed with only the escape tunnel intact.

OB Status
Location not known
Location

Beckley Patrol

Patrol Targets

One practice attack took place on Canadian soldiers based at Brickwall Park. On successfully entering the Park the Patrol laid dummy charges on vehicles and weapons.

Training

It is assumed they trained at the regional HQ at Tottington Manor.

Local training took place at Heathfield Wood, Heathfield and Brickwall Park, Northiam.

Other information

On 22nd March 2005, Ernie Noakes was interviewed about his time in the Beckley Patrol:

References

TNA ref WO199/3391

Hancock data held at B.R.A

1939 Register

The Secret Sussex Resistance by Stewart Angell

Ernie Noakes daughter Sandra J. Whimhurst