Folkestone Outstation

Sat 16 June 1945, the Folkestone, Hythe and District Herald reported on the existence of a "Folkstone Maquis".

"Such an organisation was brought into being in Folkestone about August 1940, and Mr Harry Hickingbotham was asked to undertake the work for the then Chief Constable, Mr A.S. Beesley, and to recruit six other townsmen to serve with him. So he became 'No. 1' and serving with him were a well known farmer, a tailor, the manager of a local motor firm, a schoolmaster, a publican and a farm labourer. If invasion had come they were to go underground, spy on the invaders and supply through secret channels vital information to our own armies....In the country around Folkestone there were secret wireless transmitters, an invaluable chain in the plan."

An article in the Liverpool Echo suggested that the hideout was in caves in the Folkestone area. It seems that this account was based on an earlier report in the national press that has not yet been identified.