Saxby All Saints Patrol

The Patrol had two OBs, both are situated in a private woodland near Saxby Hill, with the second being located on higher ground approximately 300 metres to the east of the first. Both were built by John Sheffield of Scunthorpe with Royal Engineers labouring, from prefabricated concrete panels that were bolted together. Breezeblocks were used for constructing the walls.

The Patrol’s first OB is located in mature woodland by Saxby Hill, with its entrance opening hidden within a group of ancient yew trees. A concrete slab covering entrance opening, presumably put there by Royal Engineers after the war in order to seal the entrance. It was accessed with a ladder down a 3m drop-down shaft built from breezeblocks. The structure is in good condition but flooded. [2011]

There is no exit and only one vent is visible in the roof, near the end wall. More vents might be obscured from view by foul-smelling water that has accumulated at the bottom of the main chamber [3.65 L x 2.30 W x 2.10m H]. At the time of our visit [2011] the water was about 70 cm deep, making access impossible. We do not know if the site was abandoned because of problems with flooding or for other reasons.

The remains of a wooden ladder were found near the entrance. We do not know if this was the original ladder used by the Patrol.

A second OB was built at a higher elevation in the same woodland, further up the hill and about 300 metres to the east of the first. This second OB is a little larger than the first [4.50 L x 2.30 x 2.10m H] and in very good condition, dry and well ventilated. The structure was accessed with a ladder down a drop-down, breezeblock-built shaft [2.60m drop-down shaft, 0.80 cm square entrance opening]. A staple with an eye can be seen in the wall near the top of the drop-down shaft – perhaps it used to serve as a cable guide for a release hatch.

The main chamber has retained two wooden boards affixed to the rear wall - remains of the original wooden bunks.

An approximately 70 cm long section of heavy-gauge steel wire, attached to the roof beside the entrance doorway, presumably served for hanging up coats and other items of use. Several rusty nails were hammered into the wall on the other side of the entrance doorway, presumably also to hang items from.

The structure has no separate exit.