Hart village is located to the west of Hartlepool.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant Francis Tilley Darling | Pig and poultry farmer |
Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Robert Stanley Darling | Stockman |
1943 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Henry Arthur Darling | Farmer |
Unknown | 1943 |
| Private Walter Grieveson Fawcett | Shipyard worker |
Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Harry Moore | Farm worker for Frank Darling |
Unknown | Unknown |
| Private George Alan Robinson | Van boy |
Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Christopher Watson | Farmer |
Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
The Patrol is thought to of had two OBs. One in a small wood known as "Darlings Wood" on Frank Darling's farm and a second to the north of Hart at Thorpe Bulmer in a wood built against a quarry wall.
The Darling's Wood OB would appear to have been similar to an "Elephant" type shelter. Harry Moore remembered it as having the entrance hidden under a log with beds inside.
The Thorpe Bulmer OB design is unknown, possibly built by the Patrol early after formation as Patrol member Harry Moore had never been to it.
Hart Patrol
Targets would have included transport links including various passenger and freight railway lines around the area and roads to Middlesbrough and Newcastle.
Military targets included RAF Greatham, the port at Hartlepool and the Naval gun emplacements on the headland along with the German/Italian POW camp at Manor Farm on the north side of the village and any factories supplying the war effort.
Blackhall Beach was a possible landing ground.
Training was done locally at Sergeant Frank Darling's farm and a rifle range on the Moors. Harry Moore remembers meeting every weekend and being picked up in a "wagon" when training away from the area. Regionally they trained at Danby Lodge in North Yorkshire, the Intelligence Officer's HQ and at Castleton with the Scout Section from the Green Howards.
Sergeant Frank Darling went to Coleshill House for specialist courses.
Harry Moore recalled they mixed with the regular Home Guard who often thought they were just absent from their regular drill.
Harry Moore recalled keeping a Tommy gun and pistols at home so was close to hand if necessary.
Harry Moore was recruited by Intelligence Officer, Captain Guy C.L Atkinson MC after attending a disciplinary hearing after an argument with his Home Guard officer.
There is a recording of an interview with Harry Moore from September 2004. When Harry mentions various other Auxiliary members coming from different locations in the area, these are not members of his Patrol rather other Auxiliers in the Group. “The Specials” Harry refers to are the Auxiliary Units.
Harry fell out with the local Home Guard Commanding Officer and the incident at which he puts his side of the story against the Officer was a disciplinary hearing. Lieutenant H.C. Allison was in 18th Battalion Durham Home Guard (West Hartlepool) and at the hearing he puts Harry forward as a possible recruit for the Auxilary Units.
Harry Moore features in this great interview:
The National Archives in Kew ref WO199/3389
1939 Register
Hancock data held at B.R.A
Harry Moore interview