Though Bridgerule is a village in North Devon it is only a mile from the Cornish boarder. For administration purposes it was recorded with the Cornwall Patrols.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant William Walter Bond | Railway lengthsman |
30 May 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Courtney John Bailey Andrew | Motor engineer & Garage proprietor |
23 May 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Ernest Dymond | Sub postmaster and carpenter |
23 May 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Charles Henry Gerry | Railway lengthsmen |
01 Jul 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Frank Gilbert | Carpenter |
23 May 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Francis William Moore | Farmer |
23 May 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Robert Harris Yeo | Farmer |
02 Aug 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
The OB was situated in the disused Merrifield Wheel Pit housing on the old Bude Canal. It was located in the lower part of the Wheel Pit housing and a floor was fitted made from old railway sleepers. Access to the chamber was via a manhole cover well hidden by a large area of undergrowth and brambles. The location of the base was of course kept secret during the war years but Sergeant Bond took his son Austin to see it on V.E.Day. His recollection is of a timber garden shed type building erected within the chamber and a secondary tunnel escape route. The building was destroyed immediately after this - maybe by the use of explosives.
The Merryfield Incline plane runs down the back of the farm, one field in. Power was supplied a waterwheel, built underground and housed in the wheel pit with a high brick vaulted roof. The large water wheel no longer exists.
Bridgerule Patrol
It is recalled the Patrol were to target a potential "Tank Run" which may have been used by the invaders at Week St Mary a few miles to the South West.
Kit and equipment was brought in at the Bridgerule railway station, a few hundred yards from the OB. Initially equipment and weapons were stored at Sergeant Bond's house and included 7 revolvers 7 sten guns and 1 BSA .22 rifle with telescopic sights. These were all cleaned and oiled regularly until relocated to the Units underground base which was at Merrifield Farm immediately adjacent to the former Whitstone and Bridgerule Southern Railway station.
TNA ref WO199/3391
Hancock data held at B.R.A
1939 Register
Alwyn Harvey and his work for the Defence of Britain Database.
Mrs Audrey Aylmer of Bude Old Cornwall Society
Robert Gerry and Austin Bond Auxilier's sons