East Hampshire Scout Section

Hampshire was one of the largest Auxiliary Units areas, based on the number of Patrols. It would therefore be expected to have two Scout Sections. It is known that the Wiltshire Regiment provided one section that was based in the New Forest. The other, though logically formed from the Hampshire regiment, possibly came from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Chalton Patrol Auxilier John Budden refers to men of this Regiment being involved in their training and also transport to Coleshill House.

The Southwick Patrol Diary contains a couple of references to the Scout Section. On 15 Nov 1942 they take over their OB from them, with the Scout Section presumably having been responsible for its construction. On 31 Jan 1943 they go to Hambledon for a demonstration by the Scout Section with Lieutenant Alan present. A check of the Army List for 1943 shows that there was no Lieutenant Alan, though Allan or Allen would be possible. Lieutenant Arthur Richard Allen (129087), previously of the South Wales Borderers and Lieutenant Derek Walter Alfred Herbert Allen (98141) formerly a Royal Artillery Driver were both Royal Warwickshire Regiment officers at the time. Unfortunately it has not been possible to identify which, if either, was Scout Section Officer.

The names of the men in this unit are unknown. At least four men with Army numbers from the Royal Warwickshire Regiment joined the SAS in 1944/45, though it has not been possible to confirm any links to Auxiliary Units. It is known that the SAS specifically recruited from the Auxiliary Units Scout Sections and very few men appear to have joined from this regiment otherwise.

N Lewis 5111040 1 SAS
J Turner 5111086 1 SAS
D Philips 5117652 2 SAS
C Gaskin 5126401 1 SAS