Carnoustie is a town in Angus and is at the mouth of the Barry Burn on the North Sea coast.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant Archibald Clerk | Dentist |
Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private William M. Alexander | Builder |
Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Thomas B. (Don) Cunningham | Dispensing Chemist |
Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private John J. (Jock) Duncan | Grocery Van Driver for Bradburn Grocers, Broomfield, Carnoustie |
Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Robert B. Sutcliffe | Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
The Operational Bases was / is located in woodland close to Monikie reservoirs. There is a good view looking down to Carnoustie.
It is currently unknown if it's still standing but at least one person has claimed to have fallen through the rusted roof.
The entrance was through a trapdoor with steps down.
Post-war, David Smith remembered entering the OB through a vertical shaft. There were bunk-beds still in place and a 'rifle' rack on the wall.
Carnoustie Patrol
Likely targets would have included where the main railway line north passes through Carnoustie along with a coastal road. Airfields at East Haven and Arbroath were likely targets.
The Patrol raided Arbroath Airfield (HMS Condor) and put signs in the fuel depot with the word “bomb” on them.
The Arbroath-Carnoustie Auxiliary Unit was among those from the No.1 Region of the Resistance movement in Scotland which included Angus, Fife and Perthshire.
The unit’s existence only became public knowledge after the end of the war.
Major Ramsay told of his experiences running the Arbroath area group in an interview with the Evening Telegraph in May 1970 – including their invasion of HMS Condor.
Mr Ramsay said: “My area stretched to the outskirts of Dundee, and included Monifieth Carnoustie, and Arbroath.
“Our headquarters was near Forfar.
“We had hidey holes in various places.
“There were two on my estate, but I think they will have pretty well collapsed by now.
“Underground, they were quite a size and were stocked with stores, food, equipment, and bunks.
The Arbroath-Carnoustie Auxiliary Unit during the war. Image: BNA.
“Our boys were all picked men.
“We used to train with members of the Special Air Service and with Norwegians.
“We were obviously regarded as important, as we could get any equipment we asked for.”
Personal correspondence with David Smith (2024). David tells us he had 3 uncles in this Patrol, and that there should be another member of the Patrol: Alexander Duncan (known as Ali) who was a Maintenance Supervisor at Anderson-Grice (they made quarrying equipment and parts for tanks).
David Smith (personal correspondence) 2024
Alan Stewart
TNA ref WO199/3388
Hancock data held at B.R.A
The information above has been kindly provided by Norman Davidson, who got the information from John Strachan of the Patrol.
Additional Information from Patrick Scott of Huntly.