St. Keverne Patrol

Locality

St Keverne is a large rural Parish on the Lizard Peninsular on the extreme southern coast of Cornwall.

Patrol members
Name Occupation Posted from Until
Sergeant Sinclair Edward James

Market gardener and taxi owner

13 Jun 1940 03 Dec 1944
Lance Corporal George Henry Bloomfield

Horseman

13 Jun 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private Hubert Nelson Hicks

Market gardener

26 Jul 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private William David Leggo

Farmer

01 Jul 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private Roland Richards

Apprentice motor mechanic

10 Sep 1940 04 Jan 1944
Private William Gilbert Richards

Farm worker

11 Jun 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private Leslie Roberts

Farm worker

13 Jun 1940 03 Dec 1944
Operational Base (OB)

The Operational Base was located near to Roscarnon Plantation about one mile north west of St. Keverne village.

The OB survived in a good condition until 1993. It is now in a ruinous state. It is all but destroyed with limited access into maybe an 8 foot by 6 foot section, complete with the concrete block wall and heavy timber lintel.

The main structure has completely collapsed except in one section of the escape tunnel. Evidence of the entrance does exist but as an open air gully. The escape tunnel was approximately 15 foot long emerging at the surface under a tree root.

Patrol & OB pictures
OB Image
Caption & credit
Hubert Hicks in St Keverne OB 1993 (from B Woods)
OB Image
Caption & credit
Leslie Roberts, Gilbert Richards, Front; Bill Leggo, Sgt. Sinclair James, Hubert Hicks.
OB Image
Caption & credit
Looking through the OB remains towards the escape tunnel
OB Image
Caption & credit
Looking out of escape tunnel
OB Image
Caption & credit
Known target at Goonhilly Down Radar Station (from IWM)
OB Status
Collapsed with some visible remains
OB accessibility
This OB is on private land. Please do not be tempted to trespass to see it
Location

St. Keverne Patrol

Patrol Targets

RAF Dry Tree, a Chain Home Radar Station on Goonhilly Downs seen in an RAF photograph circa 1941 was a known target for all of Group 2.

Training

Training took place at Porthpean House in St Austell Bay. It was ran by Lieutenant Robert Williams who is remembered as a tall, dark, thin man, full of life and enthusiasm. Lieutenant Williams (Duke Cornwall Light Infantry) was in command of the Cornwall Scout Section.

There were weekend training courses for setting explosives and grenade throwing.

Weapons and Equipment

It is assumed they were issued with the standard kit, arms and explosives.

Other information

All the Auxiliers joined in June / July 1940 and apart from Roland Richards who left in Jaunuary 1944 to join the forces, St Keverne Patrol stayed as one group until stand down.

References

Stuart Emmett and Gareth Wearne for discovering the OB location and local research.

Alwyn Harvey recorder for Defence of Britain Database

Susan Carter, daughter of Lt Eva, The Bloomfield family

TNA ref WO199/3391

Hancock data held by B. R. A

1939 Register

Operation Cornwall 1940-1944 by Viv Acton and Derek Carter.

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