Hellingly is a village in the Wealden district of Sussex.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant John Melville Richards | Farm & estate manager |
03 Feb 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private John Lewis Baker | Gardener & gamekeeper |
24 Oct 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Stephen Henry Bovis | Farm foreman |
04 Aug 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Reginald Luther Cornford | Farmer |
23 Feb 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Thomas Bertram Harris | Dairy farmer |
23 Feb 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private John Thomas Land | Stud groom |
24 Oct 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private William Charles Veness | Cowman & market gardener |
08 Aug 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Stanley John Seymour White | Market gardener (Peach grower) |
31 Aug 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
It appears to have been mostly destroyed/removed by the Environment agency (who own the woods). What remains is a pitted area, close to the top of the hill, that had been loosely filled/covered by a series of cut logs. There is a water tank which looks identical to others seen in OBs.
The OB was in the eastern half of Park Wood, Hellingly. It was built by the Royal Engineers from corrugated iron and timber. An emergency exit was added, by hand, by the Patrol themselves as a corrugated iron tunnel leading out by the bank of a stream.
A small Observational Post or Ammo Store in the form of an Anderson shelter was positioned near the OB and the two were connected by a telephone wire. In 2024 there was no evidence of an aerial or communication wire. It is assumed this OP could have perhaps of been an explosives store as it's position is such that there would be no real advantage in having a man based there for observation.
The Patrol often stayed in the OB over weekends taking enough food and water to preserve their supplies.
Park Wood is owned by the Environment Agency and managed by East Sussex County Council.
Hellingly Patrol
The Patrol had various trees targeted for felling to block roads and the railway would have been targeted north of Hellingly Station. The OB was close to the Cuckoo line, a now defunct rail line, and to the East Sussex County asylum which, with it's own links to the rail network, could have been used as some form of barracks.
It is assumed they trained at the regional HQ at Tottington Manor.
All the Patrol went to Coleshill for basic training.
Locally mock attacks were carried out on the Radar Station at Beachy Head near Eastbourne. Setting out from Alfriston they approached the station to find a ring of broken china around it. Realising a silent approach would be impossible they tried to stow away in an approaching lorry but the driver got out just as they were climbing aboard.
Another mock attack took place on the Canadian troops stationed at Heathfield Park. They entered the park with blackened faces though the weather was against them. Most of the Patrol started marking vehicles and weapons to simulate an explosive charge but Sergeant John Richardson and one other headed off to casually join some dispatch riders standing around smoking. After a while they all moved into the Officers mess where John produced his revolver and a hand grenade and announced "Gentleman, you are all dead". The two men were congratulated and offered a glass of whisky. Security was stepped up after this incident.
TNA reference WO199/3391
Hancock data held at B.R.A
1939 Register
The Secret Sussex Resistance by Stewart Angell
Photos from David Turner 2024