Hetton le Hole Patrol

The OB is located at the bottom of a steep hill near the golf course and on a tight bend in the Rough Dene stream, close to Copt Hill in Houghton le Spring.

It was a standard "Elephant" type shelter built by the 184th (S) Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers in 1942.

John Mennear never visited the OB at Copt Hill. It maybe that this was replaced by the only OB he remembered which was at Cocken Wood near Finchale. The access pathway being adjacent to cottage on west side of Lumley Road. He recalled a wooden hut, about 12 foot by 8 foot, which was only used for clothes and sleeping bags. They stayed over on Saturday nights only before heading back to work. It was in the wood, near the gamekeepers cottage, adjacent to the path, on land belonged to the Nicholson family who owned the Vaux Brewery.

The OB was based in the middle of the wood, constructed of an excavated underground chamber which was dug out by the Patrol before he joined. The escape route was 20 yards down towards the river. The entrance hatch was covered by turf with a bush growing on top, not a spring loaded hatch. The entrance led down a ladder, and internal layout was a main "Elephant" type chamber. It was not waterlogged but damp so everything was lifted off the floor. John recalled all the explosives and arms were kept there.