Wareham is the main town in the Purbeck region of Dorset situated in the western end of Poole Harbour, with road and rail connections.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant Sidney Paul Nicholas Williams | Travelling salesman |
03 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Corporal William Ronald Cottee | Agricultural auctioneer |
20 Jun 1940 | 15 Dec 1942 |
| Lance Corporal Edward Ivor John Legg | Farm carter |
20 Jul 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Jeffrey Samuel Brooks | Mechanical fitter |
15 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Leslie Thomas Gover | Clay miner underground |
26 Feb 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Charles James Gover | Clay miner underground |
27 Aug 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Charles Ernest Stacey | Cowman |
02 Feb 1942 | 20 Jan 1944 |
| Private Leonard Albert Warren | Gardener |
26 Sep 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
It has been suggested that as well as the OB, the Patrol used the basement of Cottee’s shop as its store for equipment and that later, Cyril Quick used the same location to distribute stores across the rest of the group of Patrols.
More information about the archaeological dig at Binnegar can be found in the video on our Archaeology page.
Wareham Patrol
Ron Cottee was a well known figure in Wareham as he ran the produce and livestock auctions and his firm “Cottees” still trades today. Cyril Quick, the assistant group commander, worked with him in the firm. This meant they had excellent access to all the Patrols as men would come into Wareham for the auctions and market. Leslie Gover lived close to Charles Gover so it is assumed they served in the same Patrol and were likely related.
National Archives WO199/3390, 199/3391
Hancock data held at B.R.A
1939 Register
Wareham’s War (1919-1945) by Terence Davis
John Pidgeon