Well Patrol

A.K.A. (nickname)
Alford
County Group
Locality

Well is a small estate village and civil parish about 1.5 miles south of the town of Alford, in the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire.

Patrol members
Name Occupation Posted from Until
Sergeant Joe Drakes Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Corporal Francis Arthur Crust

Farmer

Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private Robert Chatterton Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Second Lieutenant Henry Allen Crust

Farmer

Unknown Unknown
Private Charles Frederick Middleton

Farmer

Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private E. Nicholls Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Operational Base (OB)

The Operational Base was of prefabricated concrete sections and brick work located between Well Vale and Forrest Wood at the Well village end of the wood.

As others in Lincolnshire are of a similar construction this OB was probably built by John Sheffield of Scunthorpe using Royal Engineers as labour.

Patrol & OB pictures
OB Image
Caption & credit
Well Vale and Forest Wood.
OB Status
Location not known
Location

Well Patrol

Patrol Targets

Military targets in the area would have included several airfields in the area including RAF Spilsby at Great Steeping, RAF East Kirkby, RAF Strubby and Air Armaments School at RAF Manby.

Transport links would have included Ulceby Cross, a major crossroads in the area, and the possible invasion beaches to the east.

Training

The Patrol trained at various Auxiliary Units HQs including Wellingnore Hall and Blankney Hall. The final Auxiliary Units HQ was at Dalby Hall which was also used as a training area.

The Patrol also trained locally on Patrol member's farms.

Some of the Patrol went to Coleshill House for specialist courses.

References

TNA ref WO199/3389

Hancock data held at B.R.A

Mark Samson