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 a number 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. Lieutenant 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.
The unit had an OB on Beacon Hill, north of Poole. The exact location hasn't been identified, as the site is on PRIVATE PROPERTY. As most Scout Sections had two OBs, there may be another location yet to be identified.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant Raymond Meyrick Bussell | Regular Army Officer |
29 Sep 1940 | 04 Sep 1941 |
| Lieutenant Richard John Victor Goss | 01 Aug 1940 | 29 Sep 1940 | |
| Lieutenant Philip Humphrey Peter Weaver | Slot machine owner |
03 Sep 1941 | 19 Apr 1943 |
| Sergeant Edward James Millbank | Invoice Clerk |
18 Nov 1940 | 15 Apr 1943 |
| Lance Corporal George Sydney Herbert Biffin | Gardener |
1940 | 19 Apr 1943 |
| Corporal Joseph George James Rideout | Farm Worker |
24 Nov 1940 | 19 Apr 1943 |
| Driver IC Eric Dommett | Unknown | 19 Apr 1943 | |
| Driver IC Richard W Foat | Unknown | 19 Apr 1943 | |
| Private Lofty | Unknown | 19 Apr 1943 | |
| Private Alan George Ashley | 24 Nov 1940 | 19 Apr 1943 | |
| Private George Oliver Cogger | Travelling charted accountant |
11 Jun 1942 | 19 Apr 1943 |
| Private Bertram Frederick Hunt | Fish shop assistant |
Unknown | 19 Apr 1943 |
| Private Henry James Pascoe | Wood machinist |
18 Nov 1940 | 19 Apr 1943 |
| Private Sidney Jack Ryland | Van driver (1939 Register) Grocers Assistant (enrolment) |
24 Nov 1940 | 30 Apr 1943 |
| Private Snowy Voisey | Unknown | 19 Apr 1943 | |
| Private William Arthur Yeatman | Unknown | 19 Apr 1943 |
The exact transport for this section is not known. Most Scout Sections had a 15 cwt truck and an Austin 2-seater car for the officer. They were normally issued with bicycles as well.
Personal communications - Philip Ashley, Jo Burri-Weaver, Mark Biffin, George Biffin.
Steve Sutton, unpublished thesis
Secret Army, Peter Williams TV
Additional information can be found in the book “SAS Rogue: The Clandestine Life of Peter Weaver”, by William Ward, available from the CART shop.