This is not a genuine Aux Unit lapel badge - bit.ly/48QblKC It is one we have designed & produced & sell in our shop (available here: shop.staybehinds.com/auxiliary-unit…). Please be aware that there are a number of fakes (usually not very good ones) on the market.

We've just been sent a wonderful photo of Lt Jack Webley of Wiston Patrol, #Sussex staybehinds.com/harold-webley As a farmer we don't think this was his usual attire. Suited and booted he brushes up well ! If you have an Auxilier in your family can you send us a photo of them ?

Sam Biles’ talk on the IoW has brought to light some great new images. Our favourite is this photo of the “Whizz Bang Gang” training, AKA the Sandown Patrol. New info relating to Sgt Rapkins can be seen on his page. More to come from the same source staybehinds.com/patrol/sandown…

We remember the Aux Units, Special Duties Branch, Section VII & all the civilian vols, who were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice if the Germans had invaded in the SWW. A cross was laid at Coleshill House, the HQ of the Aux Units - thanks to Roger Green & Steve Treadwell.

In 2022 CART researcher David Blair joined Rathmell Arch Ltd at Melvill House Estate. With thanks to Angle Park Sand & Gravel Company they found, excavated & recorded the OB. Read the Report here: bit.ly/3R59zP3 The intact water tanks & vent pipes are all great to see.

The The National Lottery Heritage Fund 360 project funding has ended. CART have picked their fave 360 tours starting with Nina. Brixham OB (her Grandad's Patrol) bit.ly/3QW6n6X Special Duties - Llantilio Crossenny Church bit.ly/3jJ47DK All tours here bit.ly/3ZAEVQ9

Sgt. William Hawkey resigned from Aux Units May 1943. He was the Patrol Leader of St Columb Patrol in Cornwall (bit.ly/47SOjSf). The Patrol's OB was in a mine & didn't need building materials. Hawkey used them instead for his pigs & got found out! From Cornish Guardian

Amazing find! Set of papers donated to the Imperial War Museums .Ernest Sadler, a Special Duties Training Officer kept a book naming all Key Men & Observers. Research by CART has added 50+ new names from a small area of S Wales. How many other lists are out there?! bit.ly/3RLi1C2

If you're in the East #Devon area on Friday afternoon then pop along to the Manor Theatre, Sidmouth where I'll be delivering a talk to the @devonassoc on 'Churchill's Secret Army in East Devon'! Lots of amazing stories (& a lovely venue)! Pay on the door!

Alan Crick was an Intelligence Officer between 1940 & 1941, mainly in Somerset. He would have been responsible for recruiting civilian patrols (and would have also been added to a list of people to be shot had the Germans come as he would have known too much about the Aux Units).

Have we got a lovely little week for you lined up over here at Chatabix Towers !! Tune in from Tuesday 🎧 John Fendley Andy Chatterton 🙌👏🔥

As it is #InternationalWomensDay what better day to remember the women who secretly took part in Britain's war effort without ever getting any recognition. Women in the Special Duties Branch & Section VII were willing to give their lives to ensure Britain remained free.

This example shows how urgent it is to locate & record ANY remains of Aux Units OBs. This is Newton St Boswell in Scotland. Despite being in good condition a few years ago, it is now collapsed/blocked up. See the huge diff in 10 years. bit.ly/4cwPY2M

CART's own Martyn Allen delivered a brilliant talk and display for the West Bay Discovery Centre yesterday. CART researchers are always happy to deliver talks on Aux/SDB/Section VII (and water tanks) so do get in touch!

Just arrived! Can't wait to dive in. One of the absolute pleasures of writing historical fiction is learning about the real history.

These provide a great insight into the mentality of many Aux Unit members at stand down. Thanks to Jock’s son Gordon. Any members of Bill Ground’s family able to give us any further info?

Today in Rom, Deux Sevres, France, the ceremony of St Michael, patron saint of paratroopers, remembered the 30 SAS & USAAF airman murdered in 1944. Many of those killed were former Aux incl Gordon Budden & Vic White. A cross was laid to remember the Aux. We will remember them.

Lt William Sandow was a Grp Cdr in Cornwall. 80 yrs after stand down his Grandson has finally been able to apply for his Defence Medal. It appears the previously unavailable 203 Battalion "Home Guard" records are now scanned so their time served can be proven.