Churchill's Secret Army - REVEALED
Open day to celebrate the 70 year anniversary of The Auxiliary Unit at Coleshill
It's one of the greatest secrets of the Second World War - and it happened here right on our doorstep.
And to mark the 70th anniversary of the Auxiliary Unit - Churchill's secret army of resistance fighters - a special celebration is taking place on the National Trust Coleshill Estate, near Highworth, this weekend to honour those who formed what was described as 'Britain's last ditch line of defence'.
The Auxiliary Units were formed in preparation for German army invading Britain in the summer of 1940, operating in a network of cells from hidden underground bases. They trained in secret at Coleshill House.
Recruits were told to take a train to Highworth and report to the local Post Office - where the grey-haired face of postmistress Mabel Stranks met them and performed security checks before calling Coleshill House to pick them up. A secret involvement, Ms Stranks only spoke of just before her death in 1971 - see story below.
Talks, demonstrations and site tours
The day is the unique opportunity to learn how the British Resistance were trained in preparation for a German invasion and occupation including talks by experts, weapons demonstrations, site tours and enactments as well as military vehicles and period catering. A fun day for all ages.
Time: 10.30am - 4pm
£1 entrance fee which will be donated to Help For Heroes.
Featured in The Times
The celebration day and a campaign led by Coleshill House and Auxiliary Unit historian, Tom Sykes, to recognise those who took part in Churchill's Secret Armey appeared in The Times on 26 June 2010.
