Mistley is a large coastal village almost merging with Manningtree 11 miles north-east of Colchester.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant Ernest William Spencer | Pedigree poultry breeder |
Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Sergeant William Strang | Farmer |
1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Corporal Charles William Frostick | Pedigree Poultry Breeder |
1940 | 1942 |
| Private George Henry Greenwood | Poultry farmer |
Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private George Howard Kent | Master blacksmith |
1940 | 1944 |
| Private John Wotherspoon McNair | Horseman on farm |
Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Donald James McNair | Cowman |
Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Alexander McKinnon McNair | Head Cowman |
Unknown | Unknown |
The Operational Base is thought to be between Dickley Hall and Nether Hall, though the exact location is unknown.
Mistley Patrol
The Patrols in this group appear to have been sited across the Tendring peninsula, presumably with the aim of disrupting the exit and supply of any troops landing at the coastal towns of Harwich, Clacton, Frinton and Walton, all of which had piers or port facilities. Brightlingsea itself was a significant port and the River Colne was navigable by coastal freighters as far a Colchester, with Wivenhoe and Brightlingsea having shipyards. Harwich was the main port on this part of the east coast and a major naval base with all round defences.
To this end the road bridges and railway lines between the coast and inland would have been prime targets. Great Bromley was also the site of the fifth radar station to be built in the UK in 1937. It would likely also be a target after invasion, if only to deny the equipment to the Germans whose own radar was less advanced early in the war.
The Essex Patrols were trained at River House, Earls Colne. Patrol members would almost certainly have attended training courses at Coleshill House.
The Patrol would have been issued with the standard equipment.
Martin Frostick recalls his father telling him, on a drive to Manningtree in the 60s, how he and some friends did secret war work - he said they used to meet at Stacey's Farm. A weapons and explosives store was mentioned. He can only vaguely remember the conversation now.
At Stacey's Farm, after Bill Strang's death, earthworks to lay a tennis court uncovered a cache of munitions.
It is not known exactly when the patrol was formed. The Patrol first formed part of the group that covered Colchester and the surrounding area. This was commanded by Lieutenant G H Smith with 2nd Lieutenant H G Denniss as Assistant Group Commander. Later in the war, this group was split into two, with the Mistley unit joining the Colchester East Group, with the same Group Commander, but now with Lieutenant J Harper as his assistant.
TNA ref WO 199/3389
Personal correspondence with Hugh Frostick, son of Charles, who also interviewed Don McNair’s son Jimmy, John McNair’s daughter Jane Lennox and George Greenwood’s son John.
Article in Poultry Industry 8th October 1943
Essex Newsman 28th January 1944.