Narford Patrol

According to the information published in A Hoare’s book (see references below), the OB is situated in the grounds of Narford Hall, with its roof now collapsed (2002).

Mr Ivan Sneezum, the son of Patrol member Corporal Dennis Sneezum, says that the Narford OB is in one of the woods opposite Narford Hall, near the 7th tree – but which, and where exactly, we were unable to guess. A number of woodlands, all adjoining each other, can be found opposite the Hall. 

Interestingly, some of these woods are named after battle ships (Indomitable and Royal Oak) that former owner and naval Aide-de-Camp to King George V, Vice Admiral Charles Andrew Fountaine, perhaps served on.

The current owners know nothing of an underground structure on their estate but very generously permitted access onto their land so that a search could be conducted.  A year later and despite a number of extensive searches - accompanied by the owner’s sons and on one occasion also by Gerry Sutcliffe, an Auxiliary Unit re-enactor - the OB site could not be located. 

On occasion of a guided tour, kindly given to us by Carlo Fountaine, we were shown structures dating from WWII, when Narford Lake was used for floating tank training; we saw a small underground structure of unidentified purpose, but certainly not an OB, near one of the estate’s farms; a generator bunker that once formed part of a so-called starfish site and we even allowed to inspect the Victorian ice house.  But we found nothing at all which could be associated with Auxiliary Units.  We also failed to find living Patrol members or relatives who would have been able to assist.