Deskford Patrol

County Group
Aberdeenshire Group 2 - Banffshire
Locality

Deskford is a small village 3 miles south of Cullen.

Patrol members
Name Occupation Posted from Until
Sergeant William Smith Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Corporal William Currie Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private Ian Bowie Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private George Currie Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private J. McDonald Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private Stewart Milne Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private William Pirie Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private Thomas Rumbles Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private Peter Smith Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Operational Base (OB)

The OB was located in a wood on the slop of the Little Bin Hill in an area called Donald Bain's Croft Plantation. The Patrol Sergeant, William Smith, lived at Braidbog at the bottom of the hill.

The Operational Base has collapsed. Our thanks to John Robertson for the plan and images.

Patrol & OB pictures
Deskford Auxiliary Unit 1
The OB was located in wood above, on the slop of the Little Bin Hill in an area called "Donald Bain's croft Plantation. The Patrol Sgt stayed at Braidbog at the bottom of the hill (William Smith)
Deskford Auxiliary Unit 8
Plan and side view of the location
Deskford Auxiliary Unit 4
A forest track nearby.
Deskford Auxiliary Unit 2
Evidence of collapse.
Deskford Auxiliary Unit 3
The escape tunnel.
Deskford Auxiliary Unit 5
What could be the entrance shaft.
Deskford Auxiliary Unit 6
The stick marks the location of the OB.
Deskford Auxiliary Unit 7
A stone lintel found near the escape entrance. This could have been used above the exit area.
OB Status
Collapsed with few visible remains
OB accessibility
This OB is on private land. Please do not be tempted to trespass to see it
Location

Deskford Patrol

Patrol Targets

The location of the Patrol would likely to be the main road from Cullen to Keith (passing through Grange Crossroads). A railway ran along the coast and south of Buckie that could have been a target. There was little else in the immediate area other than high vantage points that could observe the Moray Coastline.

Training

Most likely at Blairmore House in Huntly.

Although it was intended that each unit should operate in isolation, there were many occasions when neighbouring Patrols took part in joint exercises. One of these took place late at night on 21st November 1942 when members of Grange and Deskford units defended an OB at Muldearie against attackers from Clochan. In fact, there are quite a number of unofficial reports of the Grange Patrol operating not only in conjunction with Deskford and Clochan, but in areas covered by other Patrols, so it’s quite clear that there was good communication between each unit.

References

TNA ref WO199/3388 201 Bn rolls.

Hancock report held at B.R.A

Allan Fraser – Buckie

Alison Smith & John Robertson.