Torrington Patrol

Locality

Torrington (often abbreviated from Great Torrington) is a market town on high ground with steep slopes down to the River Torridge, North Devon.

Patrol members
Name Occupation Posted from Until
Sergeant Roy Wheeler Parnell

Farmer

03 Jul 1940 03 Dec 1944
Corporal Arthur Mather

Veterinary surgeon

26 Jul 1941 03 Dec 1944
Private Stanley John Bennett

Fitters labourer and driver.

20 Jul 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private Percy Claude Cobbledick

Farmer

12 Jul 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private Robert Leonard Eastmond

Plumber

12 Jul 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private William George Metherell

Farm worker

03 Jul 1940 03 Dec 1944
Private Clifford Quick

Mason

19 Sep 1941 16 Apr 1943
Operational Base (OB)

The location of the OB is currently unknown. It has been suggested it was in Squirrel Wood, north of St Giles in the Wood or Auxilier Metherell's family has suggested at Allin's Week, part of Week Bottom Wood to the south of Stevenstone House.

Another suggested location is near to Darracott Reservoir.

OB Status
Location not known
Location

Torrington Patrol

Patrol Targets

All of Group 1 took part in a raid on RAF Chivenor.

An obvious target to block both road and rail from north to south Devon was Rolle Bridge carrying the A385 and New Bridge near to Rosemoor.

Training

In his memoirs Auxilier Bert Verney (Tawstock) recalled he trained with 4 Patrols in Group 1.

Weapons and Equipment

It is assumed they had access to the standard kit, arms and explosives.

Other information

5 of the 7 Auxiliers joined in July 1940 and remained in the Patrol until stand down in 1944.

References

TNA ref WO199/3391

Hancock data held at B.R.A

The late Auxilier Bert Verney from his book “Reflections – A trilogy of memories” ISBN 1 874448 20 5

Auxilier's Grandson Brandon Metherell