In 1941 Dick Body of Snargate on Romney Marsh was approached by a Captain Allnatt who, like him, had been released from the 468 Searchlight Company, Territorial Army, serving as a Warrant Officer, to resume his civilian occupation. Captain Allnatt said that he could offer Mr Body a job: he couldn't tell him anything about it, but could Mr Body find six more men who had good local knowledge. Mr Body could, and did, and was asked to take his men to The Garth at Bilting, near Wye. After reading and signing the Official Secrets Act they were told what they had "let themselves in for".
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snargate Patrol | Patrol Leader | 09 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
Farmer
In 1990 Dick spoke to the BBC about his time in Auxiliary Units. The interview is held at Imperial War Museum.
Dick Body recalled: “Before the war I spent seven years with the Ashford 386 Battery handling 18-pounder field guns. In 1936, Captain Joe Allnatt set up a Territorial Army unit on Romney Marsh and I joined him and commanded the 468 Searchlight Company. We both finished with the Territorial Army before war broke out and returned to civilian jobs. When Eden set up the Local Defence Volunteers in May 1940 I immediately joined and acted as lookout on top of Snargate Church Tower. I have mislaid my Wartime Identity Card, but it was stamped with pressed lettering something like GHQ Reserve 203 Bn; the 203 written in ink."
In 1982 he was interviewed by Peter Williams for his TV programme Gherkin and Truffle go to War.
TNA ref WO199/3390 & 1,
Hancock data held at B.R.A,
1939 Register
Adrian Westwood
Brian McMurray
Imperial War Museum ref 13614
Gherkin and Truffle go to War - Peter Williams