The parish of St Newlyn East (usually abbreviated to Newlyn East) is about 5 miles south of Newquay.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant James Ralph Rawling | Mason |
13 Jul 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Samuel Grigg Carpenter | Farmer |
29 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Sydney George Harris | Farm worker |
05 Feb 1942 | 01 Mar 1944 |
| Private Thomas Oliver Hoskins | Dealer and smallholder |
05 Feb 1942 | 16 Apr 1943 |
| Private Leonard George Juniper | Clerk (electric wires) |
13 Jul 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Ronald John Lucas | Civil engineer |
12 Jan 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Clarence George Vian | Farm hand |
01 Apr 1944 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Kenneth Woolcock | Grocer |
26 May 1940 | 16 Apr 1943 |
The OB was built in the vicinity of East Wheal Rose mine, about 150 yards to the south east of the surviving chimney stack. The underground bunker no longer survives and the site is beneath a golf course which is presently closed. An escape tunnel lead to the fields beyond to allow them to flee.
There are public rights of way over what was the golf course and the East Wheal Rose engine house and chimney stack can be explored by visiting the Lappa Valley Steam Railway.
The OB was excavated and built by the Patrol, a Nissen type hut was buried about 10 foot underground as both a headquarters and ammunition and explosives storage bunker.
Though different now, the land around the mine was always known to be soft ground and the area prone to flooding. This could have compromised the OB location.
Newlyn East Patrol
Currently unknown although the OB was right next to the Chacewater to Newquay rail line.
It is known the Patrol went to Coleshill to train and at some stage came second in a national competition for efficiency.
Newlyn East met up with and trained with other local Patrols. They always met at night and at isolated locations.
In an article in The West Britton, Sergeant "Gentleman Jim" Rawling is quoted; "If Britain had been invaded we would have been guerrillas. Our job was to harass the enemy. We were to fell trees to block roads and we were even taught how to kill a man without making any noise."
It is assumed they were issued with the standard kit, arms and explosives.
TNA ref WO199/3391
Hancock data held at B.R.A
Alwyn Harvey's research for Defence of Britain Database
The West Britton 16 Sept 1999