The Sionside Patrol was based to the west of Belford in northern Northumberland. Most of the Patrol were employed in farming and hand picked by Group Commander "Peter" Robinson who lived nearby.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant Thomas Hetherington | Motor wagon driver |
1941 | 1944 |
| Private George Harold Marshall Bell | Farm shepherd |
1941 | 1944 |
| Private Frederick Campbell Davidson | Bridge building foreman |
1941 | 1944 |
| Private Gilbert Lee | LNER Permanent way lengthman |
1941 | 1944 |
| Private George Henry Little | Farm worker |
1941 | 1944 |
| Private John Ridley Reay | Farmer |
1941 | 1944 |
| Private Robert Richardson | LNER Permanent way labourer |
1941 | 1944 |
| Private George Richardson | LNER Permanent way labourer |
1941 | 1944 |
| Private Andrew Selby | LNER Permanent way labourer |
1941 | 1944 |
The OB is a standard "Elephant" type shelter and is aligned east/west close to a stream as with most Northumberland OBs.
Sionside Patrol
Key targets would have included the East Coast main railway line, the A1 main England/Scotland road and the Holy Island causeway. Roads and bridges west to Wooler and to the east in the area of possible invasion beaches will have also been destroyed by the Patrol in the event of an invasion.
Middleton Hall and Belford Hall both HQ's for the Somerset Light Infantry and the 51st Highland Division both retraining in the area for the D-Day invasion, might also have been on the target list.
The Patrol did training with the army based at Belford and at nearby Middleton Hall and members of the Patrol (possibly the Sergeant) also went to Coleshill House for specialist courses.
The Patrol was issued the Auxiliary Units Mark 2 kit including pistols and a .22 sniper rifle.
The Patrol went to the Isle of Wight as part of the island garrison just before D-Day and also went to Balmoral to guard the Royal Family.
National Archives in Kew ref WO199/3388
Hancock data held at B.R.A
1939 Register