Spetisbury Patrol

County Group
Dorset Group 1 - East Dorset
Locality

4 miles south-east of Blandford Forum, Spetisbury is a linear village along the A350 and the river Stour.

Patrol members
Name Occupation Posted from Until
Sergeant Maurice Arbon Tory

Royal Artillery then recalled to Farm

 17 Aug 1942 03 Dec 1944
Corporal Walter John Strange

Farmer assisting Father

 01 Jun 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private John Charles Parham Bugg

Tractor driver

 Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Private Reginald “Reg” Goddard

General farm labourer

 01 Sep 1942 03 Dec 1944
Private A. Little 31 Mar 1941 03 Dec 1944
Private Gilbert James Snook

Baker

 24 Jul 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private Henry George Spicer

Agricultural tractor driver

 14 Aug 1942 03 Dec 1944
Private Jim Strange

Farmer with brother Sam

 01 Sep 1942 03 Dec 1944
Operational Base (OB)

The OB is in Charlton Hill Coppice. It has largely collapsed and only a small section of corrugated iron remains in position in the middle of the bunker.

There are a few scattered earthenware drainage pipes as used for ventilation. Otherwise very little is left. Most of the OB has completely collapsed.

Please note that this OB is on private land with no public access. The landowners kindly provided access for these photographs to be taken.

A repeat visit in September 2021 found the remians in a very similar condition. A small section of corrugated iron remains intact. The roof of the the entrance (or escape) tunnel has collapsed but is L-shaped running to a likely shaft entrance site. At the other end, little remains, but with no evidence of a tunnel making a vertical shaft adjacent to the main chamber most the most likely thing. 

It appears that the OB was built into one of two oblong pits running parallel to each other. This was a technique often used as it saved a good deal of digging by hand! The second pit provides a location for any deeper spoil without it looking out of place.Searching between the two pits revealed two runs of glazed ceramic pipes running from the OB into the second pit to provide ventilation. Though only the ends could be seen, one run remained patent throughout its length. These were laid 9 feet apart and aligned at 149 degrees, at right angles to the long axis of the OB. These runs were buried under loose chalk, presumably part of the excavation spoil.

Patrol & OB pictures
Spetisbury Patrol
Spetisbury Patrol
Spetisbury Patrol OB 2
OB collapsed depression
Spetisbury Patrol OB 1
A small section of corrugated iron remains in position in the middle of the bunker. There are a few scattered earthenware drainage pipes used for ventilation. Otherwise very little is left.
The first pipe run seen from the OB side and illuminated with a torch. The height suggests it may have connected to the top of the main chamber.
The first pipe run seen from the OB side and illuminated with a torch. The height suggests it may have connected to the top of the main chamber. Sep 2021 (W Ward)
The second pipe run is cracking under the pressure of tree roots.
The second pipe run is cracking under the pressure of tree roots. Sep 2021 (W Ward)
rea of the main chamber with the tunnel at the bottom of the screen. The remaining corrugated iron section is beneath the greenery at the top of the fallen tree. Sep 2021
Area of the main chamber with the tunnel at the bottom of the screen. The remaining corrugated iron section is beneath the greenery at the top of the fallen tree. Sep 2021 (W Ward)
Ventilation pipe junction showing the loose chalk fill around the pipes
Ventilation pipe junction showing the loose chalk fill around the pipes. Sept 2021 (W Ward)
OB Status
Collapsed with few visible remains
OB accessibility
This OB is on private land. Please do not be tempted to trespass to see it
Location

Spetisbury Patrol

Weapons and Equipment

The Patrol photo shows the men armed with revolvers in web holster as well as an early model Thompson sub-machine gun with the Cutts compensator fitted.

Other information

North Farm is still run by members of Walter Strange's family. If you are staying at The Stables, the Bed and Breakfast on the Farm, then do ask if it will be possible to walk up to see the Operation Base. In September 2021, CART provided a small display their for The International Guild of Battlefield Guides, some of whom stayed in The Stables and spoke highly of the breakfast!

http://www.north-farm.co.uk/

References

http://www.atlantikwall.co.uk/

Additional information and photos from John Pidgeon. Further wartime photos and details are due to be published in his forthcoming book on the Dorset Home Guard.