Smeatharpe is located near the village of Upottery, approximately 6 miles north-northeast of the town of Honiton. Though in Devon these men are recorded in Somerset's nominal roll. There is no Patrol Leader recorded on Major Hancock's list at stand down so it is assumed this Patrol was disbanded before then.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Arthur Henry Arscott | Dairy farmer |
05 Oct 1940 | 22 Apr 1944 |
| Private Harry Bere | Mixed farmer |
22 Oct 1942 | Unknown |
| Private Benjamin Arthur Bromfield | Poultry farmer |
14 Jul 1940 | 16 Oct 1942 |
| Private Peter William Bromfield | Dairy farmer |
07 Jul 1940 | 16 Oct 1942 |
| Private Robert John Drew | Dairy farmer |
07 Jul 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
There was a tunnel dug into a hole in the slope / side of the hill, in the field behind The Forge, Smeatharpe. The locals were aware of it and were asking why it was being dug. It's use is unknown but it may have been connected with the Patrol or the airfield.
Looking on the Somerset Historic Environment Record 1946 aerial photographs, there are two areas where there were two hollows or holes in the fields behind The Forge, so one of these sites must be the site were the ‘tunnel’ was built
It has been destroyed and filled in and the slope levelled so there is nothing to see today.
Smeatharpe Patrol
Possible targets would have included the nearby airfields at Dunkeswell and Uppottery in Devon and Culmhead in Somerset. Transport links of roads East from Honiton and Hemyock areas and North from the A303 towards the Taunton area.
TNA ref WO199/3390 & WO199/3391
Hancock data held at B.R.A
1939 Register
John Cornish