Ningwood is a village about three miles east of Yarmouth in the northwest of the Island.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant Kenneth John Priddle | Farm worker |
11 Sep 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Albert Victor Ablitt | Farmer |
08 Apr 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private John Stanley Douglas Cowley | Cowman |
12 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Anthony Bernard Cowley | Unknown | Unknown | |
| Private Thomas Arthur Francis Cowley | Farm manager |
12 Sep 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Fred Derham | Station master |
14 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Sidney Hollands | Farm mechanic |
03 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Frederick Howard Honnor | 06 Jan 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 | |
| Private Donald Luke De Lacey Priddle | Pigman |
08 Apr 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Eric John Scovell | Farm labourer |
06 Jan 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
The first Operational Base flooded shortly after construction so it was never used.
A second was built close to the site later used by the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival on Afton Down. The Royal Engineers who constructed the OB tipped the excavated chalk down the hillside, making it very obvious that something had been built there! There was an associated Observation Post connected by telephone to the OB.
Ningwood Patrol
Fred Derham was a Stationmaster at Freshwater and had to put pipes under the railway line for explosives.
Eric Scovell recounted that whilst learning how to throw grenades, one man threw one straight up in the air instead of in front, it meant everyone ducked for cover!
Whilst on patrol in the early hours of the morning near to their base, one of the group spotted a rabbit, he decided it would make a nice meal for the Patrol, so thinking he had set his Sten gun to single shot he let go with multiple rounds, he had accidentally selected continuous fire. The rest of the Patrol came rushing out thinking they were under attack!
TNA ref WO199/3391
Hancock data held at B.R.A
1939 Register
Gavin Scovell
David Derham