East Dorset Scout Section

Dorset, like other larger counties had two Scout Sections, one provided by the Dorset Regiment, the other by the Wiltshire Regiment. The Dorset Regiment covered East Dorset and the Wiltshire Regiment West Dorset, though it seems that at times they worked together on specific activities.

It is believed that most of the men had served in France in 1940.

After they were returned to their Battalion, the Dorset Scout Section men were invited to London, along with others from across the country. They were told about the SAS and asked to volunteer. Six of the Dorset men joined 1 SAS, along with Lieutenant Weaver. They would be dropped into to France as part of the ill fated Operation Bulbasket. Alan Ashley, George Cogger, Sam Pascoe and Jack Ryland were all murdered by the Germans after their camp was betrayed and overrun. Lt Weaver managed to escape, along with Jim Rideout and a handful of others. George Biffin had been captured shortly after landing, but managed to escape execution and survived the war as a Prisoner of War.