Exbury Camp, periscopes sighted and thieving bastards
We - three communications ratings, two sigs and one telegraphist - proceeded down to Pompey¹ Barracks and were transferred to Baron Rothschild’s Exbury Estate² in the New Forest area that had been commandeered for the communication section for the Normandy invasion. I believe this was part of HMS Grasshopper³, but can’t be sure. I had spent time here previous to the invasion under canvas on the beautiful lawns outside the big modern mansion house. A river ran through the property and there was a cluster of beautiful thatched cottages on the river bend – all very peaceful. Prior to the invasion a lot of confidential papers were being destroyed in the main fireplace when half-burned sheets alighted on the roof of the largest cottage and set it alight. It went up so fast nothing was saved and it was a complete right off.
Another incident that occurred whilst we were training for the invasion was when someone took the piss by saying they had seen a periscope in the Beaulieu River and the whole camp was alerted. Rifles and webbing were issued, 50 rounds of ammo, water bottles, full kit etc. We stood to all night and in the morning a search of the river took place. We found the said periscope adjacent to a reed bed that was going up and down. Binoculars and two boats were obtained and it was captured, only to find it was a RN lifebelt with weighted tapes. As it moved with the currents the body and tapes would snag on the reeds which would lower the body and the mouth tube about 9” perpendicular tube sticking up like a periscope. Was this set up to test security? It was certainly lifelike in many respects and involved about 80% of the camp in the exercise (a lot of sleep had been lost during this escapade which didn’t impress the lads too much).
Prior to leaving Felixstowe, I visited Edwards, the naval outfitters and tailors, and bought a new belted Mac, cap and other requirements but within 24 hours of being in Exbury I had had the lot lifted. They were stashed in a tent under the mattress but the thief had put a knife or razor down the back of the tent and helped himself. Carpenter lost his gear as well. We reported the loss, but as ever, nobody was in the slightest way interested.
These articles had been bought in preparation for 14 days leave for a job well done; only it was wishful thinking on our behalf because after 48 hours in the camp we were called by Tannoy to report to the regulation office. Thinking it was our leave we were informed with great glee that we were required back in Normandy for Capt. ‘D’ Staff on HMS Stevenstone, a Hunt (Type III) Class Destroyer with eight trawlers forming a barricade around Le Harve to prevent E-boats and explosive motor boats attacking incoming convoys and the D-Day anchorage – a bit late I thought considering it was now August…
Another incident that occurred whilst we were training for the invasion was when someone took the piss by saying they had seen a periscope in the Beaulieu River and the whole camp was alerted. Rifles and webbing were issued, 50 rounds of ammo, water bottles, full kit etc. We stood to all night and in the morning a search of the river took place. We found the said periscope adjacent to a reed bed that was going up and down. Binoculars and two boats were obtained and it was captured, only to find it was a RN lifebelt with weighted tapes. As it moved with the currents the body and tapes would snag on the reeds which would lower the body and the mouth tube about 9” perpendicular tube sticking up like a periscope. Was this set up to test security? It was certainly lifelike in many respects and involved about 80% of the camp in the exercise (a lot of sleep had been lost during this escapade which didn’t impress the lads too much).
Prior to leaving Felixstowe, I visited Edwards, the naval outfitters and tailors, and bought a new belted Mac, cap and other requirements but within 24 hours of being in Exbury I had had the lot lifted. They were stashed in a tent under the mattress but the thief had put a knife or razor down the back of the tent and helped himself. Carpenter lost his gear as well. We reported the loss, but as ever, nobody was in the slightest way interested.
These articles had been bought in preparation for 14 days leave for a job well done; only it was wishful thinking on our behalf because after 48 hours in the camp we were called by Tannoy to report to the regulation office. Thinking it was our leave we were informed with great glee that we were required back in Normandy for Capt. ‘D’ Staff on HMS Stevenstone, a Hunt (Type III) Class Destroyer with eight trawlers forming a barricade around Le Harve to prevent E-boats and explosive motor boats attacking incoming convoys and the D-Day anchorage – a bit late I thought considering it was now August…
¹ Portsmouth.
² Known as HMS Mastodon (also called HMS King Alfred and HMS Hawke at different times), and was responsible for the administration of the victualling, arming and training of the crews of many of the types of landing craft used in the amphibious assaults against occupied Europe.
³ HMS Grasshopper was the name for the RN base at Weymouth.
² Known as HMS Mastodon (also called HMS King Alfred and HMS Hawke at different times), and was responsible for the administration of the victualling, arming and training of the crews of many of the types of landing craft used in the amphibious assaults against occupied Europe.
³ HMS Grasshopper was the name for the RN base at Weymouth.