Arundel is a market town in a steep vale of the South Downs, West Sussex.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant Francis Percy Penfold | Agricultural engineer owner |
08 Jul 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private David Blackwood | Tractor driver & farm labourer |
22 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private George Clifford Burch | Haulage contractor & dairy farmer |
22 Jun 1940 | Unknown |
| Private Lancelot George Francis Cross | Forestry commission ganger |
28 Jan 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private John Ross Le Marchand | Assisting Uncle (James Lee) on farm |
23 Feb 1942 | 07 Apr 1943 |
| Private James Lee | Farmer |
23 Feb 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Herbert Charles Richard Phillips | Timber feller |
03 Jul 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Ernest Dick Pudduck | Farm stockman |
27 Aug 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
The Patrol’s OB was sited at Houghton Forest and contained bunk beds, water, food, ammunition and two metal dustbins full of explosives of various sorts.
An emergency exit tunnel about 50ft long ran out from the hideout. Some 50 yards to the south was a small underground lookout, connected to the hideout via a direct telephone line.
In June 2019 Mike Kallaway and Brian Tomkinson of Chichester & District Archaeology Society created a survey and report of the site.
They have also provided us with additional images.
Arundel Patrol
Localised training took place in the surrounding area with live grenade practice in Blackhurst chalk pit, and what the Patrol termed “thuggery” was practised on Long Down near to Goodward Patrol's hideout. Often training involved neighbouring Patrols. One combined mock attack took place on the radar station at nearby Poling.
Former Patrol Leader Frank Penfold described the various weapons which his Patrol acquired during its operational years. They had two Colt automatic pistols; a .35 and the larger .45. Frank recalled the .22 silenced rifle which they were told was for sniping at German Commanders. In his opinion it would have been better used on the tracker dogs sent to find the men.
After the Patrol was stood down, Frank kept his fighting knife, the “Fairbairn Dagger”. When the men of Arundel Patrol were issued with these knives, they found the handles too narrow, so wound them round with plastic tape to build up the grip to a desired thickness. This is now in The Imperial War Museum.
On 12 Dec 1946 the West Sussex Patrols had a re-union at the Seven Stars, Brighton. The top of the menu is taken from the training manual The Coutryman's Diary; "Highworths Fertilisers - Do their stuff unseen until you see results".
At the bottom a joke advert for the OBs up for sale reads "For disposal, several desirable BASEMENT FLATS in the choicest parts of W. Sussex. All inaccessible and with every modern inconvenience. Running water, tradesmen's entrance and air conditioning plant. Beautiful weekend retreats. Apply O.C/O.B Small Dole". Link here: www.staybehinds.com/cg/sussex-group-3
In 2018 Frank Penfold's son John was interviewed by Arundel Museum and recalled his knowledge of the Arundel Patrol and his Father. It can also be listened to here:
This OB featured in our contribution to 2020 Festival of Archaeology
TNA reference WO199/3391
Hancock data held at B.R.A.
The Penfold Family
Mike Kallaway and Brian Tomkinson of Chichester & District Archaeology Society