The village of Kings Barns lies near the eastern coast of Fife, in an area known as the East Neuk, 6 miles south-east of St Andrews.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant Walter Turnbull | Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 | |
| Private William Bernard | Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 | |
| Private Henry Braid | Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 | |
| Private Robert Lothian | Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 | |
| Private Andrew Mayes | Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 | |
| Private William Smith | Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
The Operational Base was located in what was the old Ice House belonging to Pitmilly House near Hillhead Farm.
Fields surround the site which is near to the coast. It provided excellent views out into St Andrews Bay the North Sea, close to both road and rail transport routes and the airfield at Dunino.
A nearby Observation Post, filled in post war, was sited seaward facing.
Kings Barns Patrol
Targets would have included rail lines nearby at Boarhills, linking to other main lines north and south, road transport, airfield at Dunino as well as opportunist targets as and when identified, assisting other Patrols if required as well as targets further afield.
The Patrol trained at Melville House, most weekends and some evenings, learning map navigation exercises, infiltration exercises at Leuchars / Dunino airfields and a small arms range at Melville House. A local rifle range was utilised near Anstruther, and Drumcarrow quarry near St Andrews used for demolition training. Emphasis was on rail demolition, both at Melville House and Drumcarrow.
Weapons included 1 x.22 Winchester 74, 2 x Thompson sub machine gun, 3 x Sten machine guns, 6 x .38 Service Revolvers, 6 x Fairburn Sykes knives, knuckle dusters issued to each Patrol Member [source R. Lothian].
A mixture of home-made weapons mainly knives and clubs were kept in the OB [source R. Lothian]. Toggle ropes were issued to all Patrol Members.
David Blair
TNA ref WO199/3388
Hancock data held at B.R.A
Robert Lothian [Patrol Member interviewed in 1996]
Roy McIntosh 1996 Defence of Britain Project
Family of Captain Ken Niven
Widow of Lieutenant Alex Crowe