Wharram le Street Patrol

A.K.A. (nickname)
Wharram
County Group
Yorkshire (East Riding) Group 3
Locality

Wharram is located on the Yorkshire Wolds north-east of York (approx 25 miles away) in Ryedale

Patrol members
Name Occupation Posted from Until
Sergeant Thomas Henry Milson

Tractor driver

 Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Corporal Thomas Johnston

Vermin destroyer

 Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private Albert Burton

Quarry foreman

 Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private Charles Henry Mears

Tractor driver

 Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private Billie Smith Unknown Unknown
Private George William Snaith

Apprentice motor fitter

 Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private Harold Walker

Farmer

 Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Operational Base (OB)

The OB was on the east facing slope of a steep valley to the west of Wharram le Street. The main railway line being in the bottom of the valley. It was built by the Royal Engineers. It was ised to store ammunition, explosives, food and cooking equipment. Harry Milson said "The dug outs consisted of living quarters. It was like a rabbit hole."

Patrol & OB pictures
Gorup 3. Wharram le Street members
Gorup 3. Wharram le Street members, End of middle row Billie Smith, Harold Walker and Charlie Mears. Front row 2nd left Thomas Johnson, Harry Milson far right
OB Status
Location not known
Location

Wharram le Street Patrol

Patrol Targets

Targets would have included the Malton to Driffield railway which was heavily used during WW2 by both troop and munitions trains. These supplied several RAF airfields around the area. The tunnel at Burdale was considered so important that the army guarded either end 24 hours a day.

Other targets were RAF Cottam, RAF Driffield and Castle Howard.

Training

Local training was carried out at Middleton Hall, and Guisborough rifle ranges with exercises at Settrington Hall and local Airfields.

Some members went to Coleshill House for specialist courses.

At the end of the war, their equipment was collected in and they returned to their civilian lives.

Weapons and Equipment

Harry Milson recalled the Patrol were armed with .38 Colt revolvers.

References

TNA ref WO199/3389

Hancock data held at B.R.A

1939 Register

Andy Gwynne

East Ridings Secret Resistance by Alan Williamson

Beverley Guardian 6 Feb 1998