Probus is a village situated just off the A390, 5 miles north east of Truro.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant Leslie Champion | Lorry driver |
06 Jan 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Corporal Charles Henry Moyle | Farm worker |
27 May 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Denis Hooper | Farmer |
22 Nov 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private George Freeman Kendall | Farmer |
06 Jan 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Hugh Kendall | Farmer |
06 Jan 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private James Dunstan Oliver | Horseman |
13 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Leslie Pearn | Cowman |
01 Oct 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
The OB was built in Golden Wood at Golden Manor Farm near Probus. This was the home of George and Hugh Kendall who helped their father farm the land.
The Patrol members built their own OB by digging a large hole, erecting a hut made of timber and Nissen style corrugated iron sheeting then burying the structure under soil. It measured 18 foot by 10 foot and had an entrance concealed by a large trunk of a tree fixed to a door. Ivy grew on the tree trunk to complete the camouflage effect. No escape tunnel can be remembered.
The Patrol spent many weekends in the OB which was fitted out with bunk beds. Later in the war they stored the ammunition and explosives there. This was the only OB used by the Patrol and they used it throughout the war.
Captains Dingley and Abbiss were invited to come and inspect the OB when it was completed. It is remembered that the men lead their Officers around the area and over the top of the OB a few times. Stopping right next to the entrance, Dingley and Abbiss still could not spot the OB.
The OB site was recorded by Alwyn Harvey in 2000 for the Defence of Britain project and re-discovered and recorded by Ryan Davies in 2016. He found that the OB had been completely destroyed.
Probus Patrol
One of the exercise targets for the Patrol was the RAF airfield at Portreath (Nancekuke) on the North Cornwall coast. This YouTube link shows the scale of the site and shows how impressive it was that seven “civilians” were able to break through the perimeter fence at night and “chalk-up” the tails of all the standing aircraft without being discovered.
Another night target was the RAF Radar Station at nearby Jacka Point, Portloe.
The main A390 road from Truro to St Austell ran through the village of Probus which would have been a major supply route east along with the main rail line from Penzance to Plymouth.
Due to the close proximity of Probus and Grampound Patrols it must be considered the Patrols may have had joint targets and were prepared to work closely together.
Probus Patrol, along with Grampound and Philleigh Patrols built and used a rifle range in the nearby Pomery Woods about a mile and a half from Probus village. Two firing points were built at the southern edge of the woods with the butts 400 yards across the valley of the River Fal. The butts were built by digging a hole and throwing the soil above to create a protective bank.
It is remembered these were linked by a field telephone.
The complete Patrol went to Coleshill House together for training weekends. Other training took place with Grampound and Philleigh Patrols at Porthpean House, Porthpean.
It is assumed the Patrol were issued with the standard kit, arms and explosives. It is remembered the Patrol had Sticky bombs which were found to be difficult to store and unpopular with the men. They also had Sten guns, Smith and Wesson revolvers and a Thompson sub machine gun.
Early in the war, ammunition and explosives were stored in a lean to shed at the side of Churchtown Cottage, Probus, the home of Sergeant Champion. Later, everything was stored in the OB but rather than handed in after stand down it was all returned to Champion's house.
When Les died and his son took over the house in the early 1960s the bomb disposal squad had to be called in to remove and destroy the large amount of explosives still stored in the lean to.
There is nothing left at the site now !
The Patrol were known locally as “The Probus Bombers”.
On V.E day the Probus and Grampound Patrols treated the locals to a “firework display”. Nobody was quite sure who set off the thunder flashes near the recreational ground in celebration.
Originally some of the Auxiliers started in Grampound Patrol, but early in 1941 they formed their own Patrol at Probus. The same seven men stayed in the Patrol through out the war.
Alwyn Harvey and his research for Defence of Britain Project. He was able to interview Denis Hooper and Hugh Kendall.
Patrick and Joy (nee Knowles) Champion.
Ryan Davies who located and recorded the OB site 2016
Auxilier Leslie Pearn's Daughter Christine Ward.
Jan Kendall
Auxilier Charles Moyle's Granddaughter Nicola Spender
TNA reference WO199/3391
Hancock data held at B.R.A
Cornwall Record Office ref AD89/2