Coads Green is a rural village to the east of Bodmin Moor
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant Walter Maurice Tucker | Motor engineer |
06 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private William Leonard Brent | Farmer |
06 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Samuel John Creber | Van driver |
06 Jun 1940 | 16 Apr 1943 |
| Private Frank Alan Gillbard | Farmer |
13 Mar 1942 | Unknown |
| Private Samuel John Gribble | Farmer |
06 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Arthur Francis Harris | Dairy farmer |
06 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Arthur Douglas Murray | Master mason |
06 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Sydney Thomas Palmer | Motor mechanic |
Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
In an interview given to The Western Morning News (8th July 1999) Walter Tucker describes the original OB location as being around Trebartha House. The gardens are occasionally open to the public under the National Gardens Scheme. The Defence of Britain Project recorded it as being in two miles north-west of the village at Daw's Hill Plantation. It was built by the Patrol with materials of wood and iron sheeting, acquired by them. It was small, at only 10 foot by 6 foot and had only one entrance.
They may have moved from this location due to the Hall being used as a RAMC hospital. The Hall was demolished in 1948 and replaced with a more modern house.
The second OB was located in an old quarry at Kersbrook Farm near Coads Green. The Defence of Britain database records this OB as being built by the Patrol in 1943. It was 15 foot by 12 foot and made from wood and curved corrugated sheeting. It is unknown if there are any remains, it is thought it was buried when the old quarry was filled in.
As the OB was not thought to be dry enough, the Patrol used the upper rooms of the village shop and Post Office as a bomb store. This was ran and owned by retired Royal Navy Captain Horace Ollett who initially recruited Walter Tucker. It was later taken over by Walter Tucker. Situated on the main (B3257) through the village, it is now a private residence.
Coads Green Patrol
Some of the Patrol went to Coleshill to train but it is recalled that they mainly trained at Intelligence Officer Captain John Dingley at Polhilsa House near Callington. They were known to have won a local competition between the Cornish Patrols.
It is assumed they were issued with the standard kit, arms and explosives.
Walter Tucker was the first to be recruited by local Postmaster, Hector Ollett, a retired Royal Navy Captain.
Walter Tucker recalled how two men did head off to war but were sent back as their potential role within the Auxiliary Units was considered more important. At one point he was told they could be sent to France but as that did not happen they continued with their training.
Exempt from the Army because of his work both on the land and repairing vital machinery, Walter was soon singled out for his secret service after volunteering for the Home Guard. “Everyone used to say 'They belong to the Secret Service'. That is what they thought...I used to quite enjoy it”.
Other memories he recalled included how one night Arthur Harris, their dispatch rider, went to the pub and using specially designed pockets sewn into his coat, smuggled more than 20 bottles of beer back to the OB for the boys. When the cook, Jack Creber, used to do his morning fry-ups, the men all joked that if Hitler invaded he would soon find them all once he smelt the bacon cooking !
Alwyn Harvey recorder for Defence of Britain Database
TNA ref WO199/3391
Hancock data held by B. R. A
1939 Register
Western Morning News 8 July 1999