Midnight Raiders - 202 Norfolk Auxiliary Units LHG

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Midnight Raiders - 202 Norfolk Auxiliary Units LHG Living History Group representing British Auxiliary Units and their activities during the Second World War.

3 members of an Auxiliary Unit patrol based somewhere in Norfolk take some time out from a busy weapons training schedul...
15/04/2026

3 members of an Auxiliary Unit patrol based somewhere in Norfolk take some time out from a busy weapons training schedule.
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Auxiliary Units were armed to the teeth with Sub Machine Guns, Revolvers, Rifles, Knives, clubs and copious amounts of explosives so it made sense that somebody showed them how to use them! Training was very intense occuring at a few locations locally in Norfolk including Whitlingham Sand Pits and Coleshill House near Swindon along with various other locations throughout the country. They were issued with Sten Machine Carbines and the P14 and P17 Rifles, similarly issued to the regular Home Guard. These were the main Patrol weapons but they also received the US Thompson M1928 Machine Carbine (AKA the Tommy Gun) way before it was issued to any regular forces. Each member was also issued with a Revolver of various types from Smith and Wesson, C**t, Enfield or batches sent over from the Chigago Police!

Although they were required to be experts with these weapons, they were not expected to use them unless absolutely necessary. The Auxiliary Units main purpose was to not be seen and to not get involved in any battle; once a weapon has been discharged, the enemy has been alerted to the patrols presence and the game is over!
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Thanks to Stuart Wilby for these photos, which were taken during a recent reenactment event at Whitwell Station, Norfolk.

We will be at Landguard Fort, Felixstowe, 25th / 26th April, receiving training along side elements of the Norfolk Home ...
09/04/2026

We will be at Landguard Fort, Felixstowe, 25th / 26th April, receiving training along side elements of the Norfolk Home Guard. Come and see how Auxiliary Units and the Home Guard were trained in preperation for an expected invasion of the British Isles.

15/02/2026

Not a weapon - but an army marches on its stomach! Unlike the rest of the Home Guard, the Home Guard patrols of the Auxiliary Units were issued with a full mess kit set, including a tin opener. Until mid-1943 they were also issued with 12-man composite ration packs. The regular army component of the Auxiliary Units Signals kept their ration packs until the end of the war - but irritated the War Office by asking if they could have specific menus rather than accepting what was delivered.

Whilst Auxiliary Units where ultimately not called upon, every single member of this highly trained force was fully prep...
11/11/2025

Whilst Auxiliary Units where ultimately not called upon, every single member of this highly trained force was fully prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice on the altar of freedom. Many went on to serve in His Majesty's Forces and lost their lives in service of their country. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Battleschool!3 of the members of NK202 Scally Patrol (Norfolk) travel down to Highworth to go on a training course, wher...
07/09/2025

Battleschool!

3 of the members of NK202 Scally Patrol (Norfolk) travel down to Highworth to go on a training course, where they are put through their paces by a Sergeant instructor from Somerset Light Infantry.

Any Auxiliary Unit member who was sent on a course at Coleshill was told to travel to Highworth Post Office (Just outside Swindon) where they were to meet the Postmistress, Mabel Stranks. Having then given her a particular set of coded phrases, Mabel would check the guys credentials and then call for a vehicle to come and collect them. A military truck would turn up to collect these guys and drive a half hour route to Coleshill House. In reality, the house was only 5 minutes up the road. Such was the secrecy of their location that even those on the course werent allowed to know where they were! Even the instructors where drafted in for a few months and then returned to their units, so nobody knew what was really going on.

Once at Coleshill, the Auxiliers were billeted in the Stable yard and trained in all manner of tasks from unarmed combat, Demolitions, Shooting, Fieldcraft and concealment. An Operational base was also built on site for the Auxiliers to use to get used to living in the same conditions that they were expected to operate in. One such task set to the Auxiliers (And one that was set to Patrols around the country) was to sneak on to nearby RAF Watchfield, leave their mark on an aircraft and return to Coleshill without getting caught. This both tested the Airfields defences and gave these guys a good training scenario.

With Many thanks to Jacob and Ellie at the The Buscot and Coleshill Estates NT for having us along and their gracious hospitality and the NT Volunteers for showing us around and being so welcoming!

Photos taken by Jill Elbourne (National Trust Volunteer)

Members of a Norfolk patrol from GHQ 202 Reserve Battalion (Auxiliary Units) on an exercise at Castle Rising, August 194...
26/08/2025

Members of a Norfolk patrol from GHQ 202 Reserve Battalion (Auxiliary Units) on an exercise at Castle Rising, August 1942.

Auxiliary Units were a very secretive band of men who would go underground in the event of invasion then pop up behind the lines, targeting strategic bridges, Airfields, Rail lines and Supply lines. Such was their training that many went on to join the SAS and served in France in 1944 in support of Operation Overlord.

Our first event at Castle Rising in Norfolk for Black Knight Historicals "Soldiers through the ages" went brilliantly.

Watch this space for more Scallywaging antics!

Photos by Lewis Benn, Peach and Carlill Photography.

Address

Whitwell & Reepham Railway Station, Whitwell Road, Norfolk
Reepham
NR10 4GA

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