Stokeinteignhead Patrol

County Group
Devon Group 4 - Torbay
Locality

Stokeinteignhead is a village in the Teignbridge district of Devon above the southern bank of the River Teign. The parish of Stokeinteignhead includes the hamlets of Gabwell, Rocombe, Labrador, Maidencombe and Teignharvey.

Patrol members
Name Occupation Posted from Until
Sergeant Donald William Carlton Bird

Dairyman

 17 Nov 1941 03 Dec 1944
Private Ernest Balkwill

Farm worker

 17 Nov 1941 03 Dec 1944
Private Leslie George Brimilcombe

Farm worker

 17 Nov 1941 03 Dec 1944
Private Verdun Victor Cumbley

Builder

 21 Aug 1941 16 Apr 1943
Private Joseph Mitchell 18 Jul 1944 03 Dec 1944
Private John Henry Lorraine Robins

Farm worker

 17 Nov 1941 03 Dec 1944
Private Thomas Albert Taylor

Market gardener

 27 Jun 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private Morris Walter Tucker

Farmer

 30 Oct 1941 12 Oct 1942
Private Wilmot Elias White

Road transport contractor.

 06 Jun 1940 03 Dec 1944
Operational Base (OB)

The OB was in a small coppice just off The Rocombe Ridgeway which runs between Stokeingteignhead and Combeinteignhead in an area known as No Man's Land. 

All that remains is a block built rectangular shaft which has a small section of vent pipe near to it. This is most likely the entrance shaft though could be a small Observational Post. 3 foot to the south, following the pathway, is a large, overgrown rectangular depression in the ground with what appears to be a small "alcove" leading off. This is the collapsed or removed OB main chamber.

Patrol & OB pictures
Stokeinteignhead OB view
Stokeinteignhead OB view
Stokeinteignhead OB entrance shaft
Stokeinteignhead OB entrance shaft
Stokeinteignhead OB entrance shaft
Stokeinteignhead OB entrance shaft
Stokeinteignhead OB entrance shaft
Stokeinteignhead OB entrance shaft
Stokeinteignhead OB main chamber depression
Stokeinteignhead OB main chamber depression
Target of Newton Abbot railway station
Target of Newton Abbot railway station
Looking over River Teign towards OB on hill
Looking over River Teign towards OB on hill
Stokeinteignhead OB vent pipe
Stokeinteignhead OB vent pipe
Combeinteignhead memorial including Auxilier names
Combeinteignhead memorial including Auxilier names
OB Status
Collapsed with few visible remains
OB accessibility
This OB is on private land. Please do not be tempted to trespass to see it
Location

Stokeinteignhead Patrol

Patrol Targets

Targets would have included transport links such as the Teign rail bridge and Newton Abbot railway station along with Shaldon road bridge crossing the River Teign. Near the OB is Haccombe House which could have become a German HQ in the event of invasion. 

Weapons and Equipment

Currently unknown but it is assumed that they would have access to the standard kit, arms and explosives.

Other information

Combeinteignhead Church has a memorial to those who served from the village. It includes Auxilier names of Balkwill and Brimlicombe.

References

TNA ref WO199/3391

Hancock data held at B.R.A

John Tucker, son of Auxilier Morris Tucker.