Kyloe is a small scattered area of farms east of Lowick and north of Belford in north Northumberland. The causeway to Holy Island is to the north east. The Patrol was based on the highest ground in the area with uninterrupted views to the possible landing beaches to the east.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant George Reavley | Shepherd |
1941 | 1944 |
| Private Adam Black | General farm labourer |
1941 | 1944 |
| Private William Black | Farmer |
1941 | 1944 |
| Private James Nesbit | Horseman on farm |
1941 | 1944 |
| Private Robert Robinson | Farmer |
1941 | 1944 |
| Private David Stewart Telfer | Shepherd |
1941 | 1944 |
The Patrol's OB started out as a cave at Kyloe Crag. This was then widened and developed to get an "Elephant" shelter into the hollowed out space. This caused the 184th Special Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers many problems in the construction. There was a lack of transport to reach the site, a shortage of wood and the order not to use explosives to open the hole or to create the escape and entrance tunnels.
Major Griffiths of the Royal Engineers wanted permission to blast the whinstone rocks but it was refused. A couple of other sites were picked out but both involved having to open up the rock face so the original was worked on and hollowed out from the inside.
The OB site has a blackened soot streak up the crag face. This is were the Patrol destroyed their large stock of Molotov cocktails at the end of the war.
Kyloe Patrol
Some of the Patrol went to Coleshill House for specialist courses as well as locally at the OB on weekends and often at night.
Training will have also taken place at Belford Hall and Otterburn Ranges with the Army. Some of the Patrol went to Fort William for a Commando training course.
The Patrol is recorded has having a real range of weapons and explosives, from Molotov Cocktails to .45 Colt M1911 pistols and Thompson Sub Machine Guns with straight magazines (drum type magazines rattled, so not good for silent attacks). The 45. Colt and Thompson Sub Machine Gun both use the same calibre ammunition.
The Patrol also had one Browning Automatic rifle, though it was thought too heavy to be of use for the Patrol.
Fighting knives were also issued although the Patrol thought the handles were too thin and did not like them.
The Patrol took part in guard duty at Balmoral for the Royal Family and also went to the Isle of Wight as part of the island garrison for the first two weeks of June 1944, see note under James Nesbit.
The National Archives in Kew ref WO199/3388
Hancock data held at B.R.A
1939 Register
Local press
Alan Nesbit son of James Nesbit
Keith Cooper photos
James Towill photos