Mullion Patrol

Locality

Mullion is a village and parish on the west coast of the Lizard Peninsular in south Cornwall.

Patrol members
Name Occupation Posted from Until
Sergeant John Henry B. Gilbert

Horseman

13 Jul 1940 03 Dec 1944
Corporal William Henry Casley

Mason and bricklayer

06 Jul 1942 03 Dec 1944
Private Aubrey Charles Ernest Harris

Horseman

30 Jul 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private John Philip Mark Hatton

Market gardener

20 Jun 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private Marcel Auguste Lucien Plantin

Living on own means

08 Feb 1941 03 Dec 1944
Private Sydney Arthur Williams

Storeman

20 Jun 1940 03 Dec 1944
Operational Base (OB)

The Operational Base was located at Newells Field, Clahar Garden Farm on A3083. Around a mile away from Mullion Village in a wooded valley.

When intact the entrance was tunnelled into the bank of a field and an area of 10 foot deep by 20 foot long and 8 foot deep excavated. It is not known how the OB was completed. The OB was built by the Patrol themselves. After the war the roof was removed, leaving a pit. Today that pit has been filled in.

Patrol & OB pictures
OB Image
Caption & credit
Facing West, OB entrance in bank on left side
OB Image
Caption & credit
From field above looking down on OB
OB Image
Caption & credit
In field above bank. Looking down on flat surface above the OB which has now been filled in.
OB Image
Caption & credit
Facing bank where entrance was hidden
OB Image
Caption & credit
Facing East in field used for rifle practice. OB entrance in bank on right.
OB Image
Caption & credit
RAF Dry Tree - IWM
OB Status
Destroyed
Location

Mullion Patrol

Patrol Targets

RAF Dry Tree, a Chain Home Radar Station on Goonhilly Downs, seen in an RAF photograph circa 1941 was a known target for all of Group 2.

RAF Predannack was an obvious target very close to the Patrol's area.

Training

Shooting practice was carried out in the flat part of the field below the OB and the Patrol regularly met at Marcel Plantin's house for training.

Training took place with the Cornwall Scout Section at Porthpean House in St Austell Bay. It was run by Lieutenant Robert Williams who is remembered as a tall, dark, thin man, full of life and enthusiasm. There were weekend training courses for setting explosives and grenade throwing.

Weapons and Equipment

It is assumed they were issued with the standard kit, arms and explosives.

Ammunition and explosives were stored in the sheds and stores of Marcel Plantin at Moorlands, Mullion. The Patrol were expected to dispose of these themselves at stand down.

Other information

Derek Watts was evacuated to Mullion in 1940 aged 7 and lived with Marcel Plantin and his wife. He was regularly used as a dummy for first aid training and would sometimes go training with the Patrol on a Sunday. Derek thinks he may well have become a link between the Patrol and the village in the event of invasion.

References

The very kind help of Derek Watts. All information and photographs were kindly supplied by Derek Watts.

Alwyn Harvey recorder for Defence of Britain Database,

TNA ref WO199/3391, Hancock data held by B. R. A

1939 Register

Page Sponsor