Smarden is a village 6.5 miles east of Ashford.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant James Murray Mitchell | Poultry farmer |
27 Nov 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Laurence George Bates | Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 | |
| Private George Thomas Excell | General farm work |
27 Nov 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Sir John Dudley Harmer O.B.E | Farmer |
15 Oct 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private John Leach Hocken | Farmer |
14 Aug 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Henry Garrett Sabbage | Farmer |
05 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
The OB was at the back of Crownfield House, in the field behind the Royal Standard pub. A searchlight unit moved in with lorries and sand bags. A large hole was excavated alongside a pond and a chicken house erected on top. This was the OB location.
Another OB or ammo stores were at Colts Timberyard and Colts Houses on the Pluckley Road.
Smarden Patrol
Captain John Foreman’s son, Michael, has a photograph of 23 Patrol members taken at Stand Down in November 1944 outside Wenman’s Cottage in Angley Wood, near Cranbrook. Wenman’s Cottage was a former gamekeeper’s house and was home to a Scout Patrol formed by Captain George McNicholl to complement The Garth at Bilting. The Scout Patrol was commanded by a Lieutenant Strangman.
The picture shows; Front L-R; Jack Skinner, Ian MacDonald, John Foreman, Peter Highwood, Mr Murray-Wood, Percy Hocken. Middle L-R; Ken Larkin, Unknown, Unknown, Chub Terry, Sir Neame ?, Ted Worsfold, John Hocken, Bill Hocken. Rear L-R; Unknown, Stan Levett, Gordon Standen, Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, Albert Saunders, Ted Golding, Fred Coleman.
TNA ref WO199/3391 and WO199/3390
Hancock data held at B.R.A
Phil Evans
Adrian Westwood
Michael Foreman