St Olaves Patrol

We found the OB collapsed and its remains sunken within a crater-like depression in the ground. Access was through a passage, the lower part of which (built from brick) can be seen in an old photograph taken about 25 years ago.

A square section of pipe made from corrugated iron sheeting emerges horizontally from the ground above, just outside the entrance doorway. By prodding the ground we found its other end in a straight line about 2.50 metres to the east of the entrance doorway. Whether this pipe served as a vent or carried a wire to release the catch or whether it served both functions we do not know.
A section of curved corrugated sheet is leaning against one side of the crater, creating a narrow cavity (inaccessible).

The brick wall to both sides of the entrance doorway appears to be intact. We observed a length of wooden board (painted white) affixed to the wall beside the entrance doorway. Presumably it was used for hanging coats.

The brick wall at the far end of the main chamber is intact but very overgrown. A lintel appears to have been placed across this doorway, over which a section of corrugated sheet measuring 0.90 x 0.90m approximately was folded and fixed in place, reducing the height of the opening. 

It appears that a smaller room, the earthen walls of which were lined with corrugated sheeting, painted white, adjoined the main chamber at the far end. An old photograph taken about 25 years ago shows what appears to be wooden posts supporting the roof. We believe that this room was used for storage.
We failed to find an emergency exit tunnel opening within the structure and we found no evidence of an emergency exit above ground.

Other physical remains are a wooden board for hanging coats, several nails in wall.

Interview with Jack Reeman (aged 89), 11th  Dec 2011:

Mr Reeman described the Patrol’s OB as having had a chamber, with a toilet located at the base of the entrance shaft. The Patrol did not have an ammunition store and Mr Reeman believes that the ammunition was in all likelihood kept in Lt Ward’s house (Fritton Old Hall).

The photograph below shows Patrol member Billy Leech beside the entrance into the main chamber which back then was intact and in good condition. The ‘surveyors’ were unable to find the emergency exit tunnel and the question arises whether there ever was one.