East Woodlands Patrol

A.K.A. (nickname)
Longleat
Locality

The two neighbouring hamlets of East and West Woodlands are situated on the Somerset/Wiltshire border to the south of Frome near to the Longleat Estate.

It is thought there was also a Great Elm Patrol that was most likely disbanded before stand down. Some Auxiliers could have been in both or either Patrols.

Patrol members
Name Occupation Posted from Until
Sergeant William George Buckett

Gamekeeper of Longleat Estate

04 Jun 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private Francis Henry Crossman

Farmer

09 Mar 1942 03 Dec 1944
Private Herbert Dennis Crossman

Farmer

14 Nov 1942 03 Dec 1944
Private Gordon Alexander Derry

Maintenance engineer

15 Apr 1941 03 Dec 1944
Private Stanley John Francis

Dairy farming and general labouring

12 Dec 1942 03 Dec 1944
Private Kenneth William Charles Fricker

Mill worker

28 May 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private John Heritage

Dairy farmer

28 May 1940 03 Dec 1944
Operational Base (OB)

The OB was within the grounds of Longleat House on Carpenter's Knoll. At the end of the war the army came to blow it up but the Crossman brothers had already dug it up to use the elephant iron structure elsewhere, possibly on their farm. It is thought nothing remains on the site other than a depression in the ground.

Patrol & OB pictures
OB Image
Caption & credit
Carpenters Knoll
OB Image
Caption & credit
Carpenters Knoll OB site in the corner of the field
OB Image
Caption & credit
Carpenters Knoll stream below OB site
OB Status
Location not known
Location

East Woodlands Patrol

Patrol Targets

The nearest target would have been Longleat House if it had become a German HQ after invasion. Other targets would have included transport links such as the major roads; A 361, A362, A3098, B3092 along with railway lines.

Other information

The OB was once inspected by Lord Glanusk. from GHQ at Coleshill House.

References

Chris Perry

Defence of Britain Database.

TNA ref WO199/3390 & WO199/3391

Hancock data held at B.R.A

1939 Register

Don Brown and his research for "Somerset Vs Hitler"