The Training Section of S.O.E. - Special Training Schools Including Their War Establishments

4.14 Selection and Training of Officers for S.T.S.
4.14.1 Method of Selection
‘Officers were, whenever possible, selected in the first place by personal recommendation. When this was not possible, application was made to the appropriate A.G. Branch in the War Office who brought forward batches of officers for interview. The interviews, which officers of both categories attended, were conducted
(a) in the case of Group B, S.T.S. 17, and S.T.S. 39 by the commandants concerned, with or without the assistance of their Chief Instructors and
(b) in the case of all other schools and groups, by the Director of Training and the Commandants of Groups A and C sitting as a board.’

4.14.2 Qualifications
(i)Para-Military Training
‘A good type of regimental officer was required, having some instructional ability (such as might normally be acquired in the exercise of his normal regimental duties). A knowledge of a foreign language was considered desirable, but not essential. As far as possible officers were chosen between the ages of 25 and 35 and in medical category A, as the type of training called for physical fitness, and they might be called upon to proceed overseas.’

(ii)Parachute Training
‘Officers who were already trained parachutists were clearly desirable, but if these could not be found, an officer who showed an aptitude for this work was trained at S.T.S. 51. The age limits, as for para-military training, were roughly between 25 and 35 and officers always had to be of medical category A. again a knowledge of languages was desirable but not essential.’

(iii) Agents Finishing Training
‘Officers with previous intelligence training and if possible experience were required, in addition to which, it was necessary for them to have a sound knowledge of one or more Continental countries and a knowledge of one or more European languages of a sufficient standard to enable them to lecture. Previous teaching experience, either in civil life, or at the Intelligence Training Centre was insisted on to start with, but when the supply of suitable qualified officers began to get short, officers, who had the other requisite qualifications, and who showed, after a short trial, that they had the necessary instructional ability were accepted. The age limits were placed between 25 and 45 and officers of medical category down to C were accepted, though the majority had to be of A and B categories as they would not otherwise be eligible for posting to overseas establishments if required.’

(iv) Propaganda Training
‘The qualifications required were essentially the same as for Agents Finishing Training except that an Intelligence background was not insisted on. A general understanding of international politics was, however, considered of importance, together with some technical knowledge of the principles of propaganda (opinion sampling, methods of reproduction, psychology, etc.).’

(v) Industrial Sabotage Training
‘For this the following qualifications, given in the order of importance, were required:
- Not less than eight to ten years general experience in one or more of the heavy industries (or their equivalent, e.g. power stations). A shorter period might be accepted for junior instructors working under supervision.
- Considerable practical experience of machinery. Experience in the direction of heavy machinery was of particular advantage.
- A degree or at least a diploma, from a technical college.
- Military experience. When a potential instructor had not got this, it was essential that he should pass through the para-military courses of the Organisation before being posted to S.T.S. 17. Even when he had previous military experience, this was desirable (see under Method of Training below).’

(vi) Reception Committee Training
‘No special qualifications were called for here, and in practice, instructors were drawn from either para-military or operational schools, and trained at S.T.S. 40. The only exception to this was in the case of instructors in Eureka equipment who had to be R.A.F. officers with RADAR training.’

(vii) Mines and Foreign Weapons Training
‘Special qualifications were again not demanded for this type of work and instructors were normally drawn from para-military or operational schools. Preference was, however, given to Sapper officers for work in connection with enemy mines and devices.’

(viii) Operational Training
‘In theory an instructor in operational training should be able to combine the capabilities of instructors in all other schools. This in practice was impossible and the more intelligent and experienced officers of the para-military type were normally selected for this work.’

(ix) Headquarters Officers
‘Generally speaking Headquarters officers were drawn from among the instructors or commandants of the Training Schools, as it was only in this way that a proper understanding of S.O.E. training problems could be obtained. The only exception was in the case of officers dealing with administrative matters and students movements etc. where administrative experience, either inside or outside the Organisation, was considered the essential qualification.’

4.14.3 Method of Training
‘In the early days the urgency with which instructors were required made it impossible for them to be trained elsewhere than in the schools to which they were posted, though considerable efforts were made later on to remedy this specialisation by sending instructors on courses in the other schools. Early in 1943, however, the general policy was formulated that all instructors would go through the full curriculum of training in all schools, and that their ultimate posting would depend on the aptitudes shown during their training. In practice this never applied to the instructors of Group B, S.T.S. 17, or S.T.S. 39, owing to the exceptional qualifications required and the specialist nature of the work, but other potential instructors attended courses at these schools. There is no doubt that the system was beneficial and had it been possible to apply it in the early days, the discrepancies in training, to which reference has already been made, would at least have been marked.’

 

4.15 Training Carried out by Other Sections
‘While most of the Training of S.O.E. personnel was carried out under the auspices of the Training Section, there were two major exceptions which must be considered separately, i.e. highly technical specialist training, and training carried out by individual Country Sections.’

4.15.1 Technical Training
‘The principle here was that if training was to such a degree technical as to demand the services of specialist officers, a special organisation or locality, such training was best carried out by the headquarters section responsible for that type of work. The three main examples are Signals Training, Pick-up Training and Naval Training.’

(a) Signals Training
‘Early in 1941 an elementary signals training school was established at “Vineyards” in the Beaulieu area to give preliminary training to S.O.E. operators whose advanced training was done by Section VIII. As the Signals Section was only in an embryonic state, this school was placed under the Training Section, which already had an organisation capable of administering a country establishment. In the summer of 1941, this school, under the command of Captain Kaplowitch, was moved to S.T.S. 52, Grendon Hall, Grendon Underwood, Aylesbury, Bucks. (subsequently renumbered Station 53a), and the facilities were increased to enable S.O.E. to undertake the full training of its W/T men.

By the beginning of 1942, the Signals Section had been enlarged, and all technical matters affecting S.T.S. 52 were under its control. The administration remained, however, in the hands of the Director of Training, and a Signals Officer was retained on his staff until the summer of 1942.

Towards the end of 1942, S.T.S. 52, together with other signals establishments, was taken over entirely by the Signals Section (later Directorate) and the Training Section ceased to have any responsibility for it. Liaison between Country Sections and S.T.S. 52 was still assured by the Training Section, which also undertook the booking of courses, but this was only done in order to centralise the control of students movements.

Apart from the very early developments, which were largely due to the energy and somewhat unorthodox methods of Captain Kaplowitch, the Signals training of S.O.E. is closely bound up with the Directorate of Signals, in the history of which it is fully treated.’

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Signals Training
A. Special Training School or Station?
It was only in June 1942 that S.O.E. became independent of S.I.S. in the organisation of its signals system.* The main task of the Signal Section of S.O.E., to become the Directorate of Signals (D/Sigs) in September 1943, was to maintain communications with its stations scattered all over the world. With the rapid expansion of the network, the demand for training of own personnel rose considerably, involving approximately 5,000 signals personnel that had to be trained in a number of trades. Apart from this requirement, the agents also had to be trained. Soon, an own Training Section was set up within the Directorate of Signals to cater for both target groups. Due to high demand, all available resources were mobilised, making it necessary to set up courses close to the communications traffic. This occasionally led to the erroneous assumption, even in Official Histories, that wherever courses were held, there were also schools. Station 53 in particular was often referred to as a school, even though the term “station” was associated with communication processes.

Interestingly, when Station 53 was about to be opened, the War Establishment Committee discussed war establishment VIII/339/1 and approved it under the title “Special Training School, No. 53”.** S.O.E. justified their apply with the expected high demand for training courses as its reason. The title in the promulgation of 24.06.1942 had already been changed to “Station No. 53”. In addition to a headquarters, the structure included a main station, a technical maintenance section and an outstation, probably Charndon, where the nearby transmitter station co-operated with the receiver at Grendon. There was no mention of school operations, nor were any instructors mentioned. Moreover, the total strength of 176 all ranks exceeded the strength of other special training schools considerably.

S.T.S. 52 at Thame Park had already been assigned to signals training at the end of 1941; the number 53 now chosen shows that S.O.E. intended a school, with S.T.S 54 following in July 1942 for the same purpose. Numbers above 50 were apparently reserved for special training outside the jurisdiction of S.O.E.’s Training Section, such as parachute and signals training. The stations at that time all had numbers below 21, several of them receiving their first war establishment in the second quarter of 1942 (Nos. 7, 8, soon renamed 14, 9, 15), followed by three more in July (18, 19, 20). It is possible that the Training Section of S.O.E. applied to the War Establishments Committee for a school, and the Signals staff of S.O.E. realised at the last minute that the long-planned and now established War Station lacked approval for its personnel, leading to a correction of the content and in the event to the renaming of the war establishment. In any case, the plan was (also) to conduct training there.

Station 53 was the main signals station in the United Kingdom, working under the Directorate of Signals of S.O.E.*** It was located in Grendon and Poundon, lying 40 miles apart; the personnel needed for Poundon would be provided on 23.11.1942 by VIII/339/2. It covered directly North-West Europe and Central Europe, with links to Algiers, Gibraltar and Portugal. The whole network was composed by the addition of stations all over the world: Malta, Cairo, Freetown, Lagos, Durban, India, Ceylon and Australia.

The History of the Directorate of Signals reads:
‘After exhaustive tests as to suitability of site, it was decided to build a War Station at Grendon, and establish an agents’ training school at Thame Park. Forward planning was also considered for the erection of a second station at Poundon, if and when the traffic increased to such an extent that it could not be carried out by one station. […] The work on the War Station was given the highest priority possible and a target date for completion fixed for early May 1942. […] The receiver site was located at Grendon, and the transmitter sited at Charndon about 3 ½ miles away. […] In June 1942 the Station at Grendon was completed […] operations commenced. […] In November 1942 the site at Poundon was started.’

‘To man these stations successfully, Training Schools were also started for the training of Base Station operators. This was initially done at Chicheley and started about April 1942, and moved to Fawley Court in June 1942, with a sub-group at Dunbar.’

This could explain why Major Forty, based on his perspective at the end of the war, mistakenly concludes that W/T Training was relocated to S.T.S. 52(!), Grendon Hall. (‘subsequently renumbered Station 53a’). This error has since been cited in numerous sources.

To complicate matters further, the distribution of training across the available locations became even more complex at the end of the war. The Official History of the Directorate of Signals, in the chapter entitled “North-West Europe”, reads:
‘In December 1944, certain economies were asked for and it was decided to move Station 53A to the American site, amalgamate training at Grendon, and close down Thame Park and Fawley Court. These moves were completed by the end of the year.’****

It is assumed that the staff of both schools (S.T.S. 52 and S.T.S. 54) moved to Grendon Hall with all the contents of the war establishments, which is why they are listed under this house for 1945 until their war establishments expired.

Another passage in the History of the Directorate of Signals may shed light on this confusion, and it describes the solution. In any case, it explains the use of all available resources of the Signal Directorate outside of schools for training purposes, insofar as there was an increased need; in the end, the presence of suitable specialist staff made training possible:
‘In the Spring of 1943 a new C.S.O.***** (the present Director of Signals) was appointed, Base Stations and Schools placed under their respective Commanders******, who in turn were directly responsible to the C.S.O. London H.Q. for operations and training. This closer contact provided a more homely atmosphere, inspired confidence, and instilled a deeper sense of responsibility throughout the Signals organisation.’

Already with VIII/339/2, effective 23.11.1942, the officer commanding Station 53 received the responsibility to command S.T.S. 52 and S.T.S. 54 (see below Chapter VIII/339 for Station 39). This is much earlier than the installation of the Chief Signal Officer.

B. The Training
Early Training under the Training Section of S.O.E.
In the S.O.E. Signals History (History File 21), Appendix E to the History deals with training in detail:
‘In 1941, a small S.O.E. wireless training unit was formed at Grendon to train wireless agents for the field. These agents, when trained, were placed under the control of S.I.S. […] By June 1942, the average number of agents continuously under training had increased to between 30 and 40. The course was lengthened to 16 weeks. […] The output in June 1942 was approximately 6 to 8 fully trained agents per month.’

Other sources suggest, that Grendon Hall and W/T training performed there were under the control of S.I.S. until an agreement was found in February 1942 to handed over signal training to S.O.E.
Following the transfer of the training to S.O.E., the average monthly output was increased to 12 to 14 by late 1942 and to 16 to 18 at the turn of the year 1943/1944.

Professor W. J. M. Mackenzie provides numerous details in the chapter “Signals Training” of his “History of Special Operations Executive”:*******
Training of Agents
‘Radio Operators destined for the Field received their wireless training at S.T.S. 52 (Thame Park), where they were also taught codes and ciphers: there was an outstation (S.T.S. 54b) at Dunbar to provide practice in long distance traffic in realistic conditions. The complete course was one of six weeks, interrupted in the middle by 14 days of security training at one of the Beaulieu Finishing Schools. With the cooperation of Scotland Yard and the local police, wireless operators were also given opportunities to practice their work in England in conditions closely simulating those of Resistance. This careful training of diverse men in different tongues was a slow and laborious process, and even at the peak period S.T.S. 52 was only turning out 16 – 18 trained men a month. The shortage of operators was often a serious drag on operations in the West, and over the world as a whole the need was only met because each main H.Q. trained its own radio operators; there were W/T schools in Middle East, North Africa and Italy, even in Occupied Greece, as well as in the Eastern theatre.’

Training of S.O.E. Staff
‘The Signals directorate had to train its own staff as well as S.O.E.’s agents. In the spring of 1942 there was in England a staff of only about 250; by the spring of 1944 the position was roughly:
H.Q. 300
Grendon and Poundon I 600
Poundon II
- U.S. 350
- British 70
Training Staff 250

A total of 1,220 excluding the Americans. The signals staff throughout the world was probably at its peak nearly 5,000 strong. This total included on the one hand a small proportion of technical experts, on the other a fair number of drivers, clerks and so forth. But the main body were wireless operators and coders, and it was soon found quite impossible to obtain these ready-made through Service channels, or even to recruit civilian labour freely. The main source of recruitment was girls not old enough to be liable to industrial or military conscription, and a really fine body of young women was enlisted through the collaboration of the Ministry of Labour and the F.A.N.Y. organisation. These girls were trained by S.O.E. at S.T.S. 54a (Fawley Court, Henley), which could handle courses of 150 girls together, in training as operators and for other duties; in addition some 250 girls in all were trained in London as coders. The girls thus trained were freely used at overseas bases as well as in England, and everywhere they proved to be an unqualified success. They regarded the work as a privilege and a great experience; their moral was excellent, and most of them were quick-witted, adaptable, hard-working, and “security-conscious” to the point of self-immolation.’

The History of the Official S.O.E. Signals History provides more interesting details of the training:
The F.A.N.Ys.
‘In June 1942 personnel for Base Station work were in short supply and it was necessary to provide training for this emergency. F.A.N.Ys. were introduced and W/T training started at Thame Park. The result was over-crowding. It was decided to move the F.A.N.Y. trainees to Chicheley (S.T.S. 46), and a second signals school for Base Station personnel was started. By September 1942, this work was growing so rapidly that the whole of Fawley Court (S.T.S. 54) was set aside for F.A.N.Y. training. Numbers increased by “leaps and bounds” and by late 1943 there were approximately 100 – 150 F.A.N.Ys. (W/T operators, teleprinter operators, control clerks, traffic clerks and drivers), continuously under instruction. In addition, instructors worked hard in London to produce the necessary number of “coders” required. It was anticipated that upwards of 200 – 250 coders would be required. This figure was later found to be a fairly accurate assessment when all three stations plus the Headquarters section were working to full capacity.’

Training in preparation of the invasion in North-West Europe
‘In November 1943 therefore, training of W/T operators for Jedburgh parties proper was started at S.T.S. 54. At first the numbers were very small with only a total of about 18 French O.Rs. (other ranks). By January 1944 the total strength had increased to some 135 O.Rs. The were all quartered at Peterborough and worked daily contacts with Dunbar and S.T.S. 54. […] In addition to the O.Rs. who were to be employed as W/T operators, there were some 300 officers (British, U.S., and French, in about equal numbers) who were undergoing training for special duties. They too, were given instruction on opening up and maintaining communications and eventually were able to do so, although of course, at a much slower speed.’

“Dunbar” denotes S.T.S. 54b at Belhaven School, Belhaven, Scotland, so “S.T.S. 54” seems a bit vague. The original S.T.S. 54 at Fawley, Court Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, was renamed S.T.S. 54a when Belhaven School was added. This information partly contradicts the contribution from an American perspective that was added to the JEDBURGH Training section above.

Many nationalities, many languages
Training agents from around 25 countries was a challenge. One of the biggest difficulties in training students of different nationalities was the language difficulty. Upwards to eight different nationalities participated in the training at the same time. To overcome the language problem, all lectures were translated into the different languages. French, Dutch and Norwegian with the corresponding translations of the lectures were used as a lingua franca, which fostered the comradeship and co-operation.

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(a) Pick-up Training
‘Pick-up Training was developed in 1941 in connection with the Lysander pick-up operations then being carried out, mainly in France. It was subsequently increased in scope to cover all forms of operations which involved the landing and taking off of aircraft in enemy held territory. (The most usual alternative to the Lysander being the Hudson.)

Training was carried out entirely by the R.A.F. at Tempsford Aerodrome, and courses lasted approximately one week. Instruction was given in all the aspects of selecting suitable landing grounds, in the peculiar problems of the pick-up pilot, in the laying out of the flare path and in the duties of the passenger. In addition, it enabled the pilots and the men who would be selecting the grounds and organising the reception to get acquainted, thus engendering mutual confidence. No landing ground or pick-up operation which had not been laid on by a man trained and passed proficient at Tempsford would be accepted by the R.A.F.

Except for one short period from September to December 1943, when the Training Section made the bookings for courses********, all aspects of pick-up training were under the control of the Air Liaison Section, in whose history the subject is fully treated.’


(b) Naval Training
‘Naval training was broadly speaking the marine equivalent of pick-up training, preparing men to arrange for the reception of stores or personnel, and for the exfiltration of agents by sea. The craft (mainly M.T.Bs.) which carried out the operations were based on the Helford River (for France) and in the Shetlands (for Norway) and the necessary training was carried out by the operational crews in the respective bases. This training came entirely under the Naval Section (D/NAVY) and the Training Section was in no way involved.

The para-naval training carried out at Group A did teach elementary boatwork, which was of use in landing operations, but was more concerned with attacks on shipping, or the approach to a target by water, than with the reception of men and stores by sea. As already stated, it was concentrated purely on the offensive side from 1943.’*********

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* Mackenzie, W.C.M.: Special Operations Executive, Unpublished history, Vol. II, Pt. II, p. 508 (TNA CAB 102/650)
** WEC 739/3, 25.05.1942 (TNA WO 24/1024)
*** TNA HS 7/42 and HS 7/43: S.O.E. Signals History (History Files 21 and 22)
**** TNA HS 7/42 - Official History of the Directorate of Signals, Chapter “North-West Europe”, page 5
***** Chief Signal Officer
****** Usually called “commandants” in the Training Section of S.O.E.
******* TNA CAB 102-652 - Special Operations Executive, Unpublished history
******** Training TR/Q/5 MT1/1278, dated 30.09.1943, and ADE/530, dated 10.12.1943
********* See Chapter “Paramilitary Training”

 

4.15.2 Country Section Training
‘Despite the acceptance of the general principle that all training should be controlled by a Director of Training, certain Country Sections were responsible for parts, if not the whole, of the training of their agents. The sections concerned were the Polish, Czech and Norwegian.’

(a) Polish Section Training
‘The position of the Poles in relation to S.O.E. had always been exceptional, in that they retained far more control over the operation and training of their men than other nationalities. As early as the end of 1940 the principle was established that Polish officers would carry out part, at least, of the instruction of their nationals, and it was therefore necessary to allocate definite accommodation to the Polish Section.

The first school allocated was Briggens, which was used as a Polish Finishing School in January 1941. It was under the command of a British officer, with a mixed Polish and British staff, and continued as a Finishing School until March 1942 when it was taken over by I.S.R.B. as Station VIII. The second school made available to the Polish section was Audley End House (S.T.S. 43) in April 1942. It had previously been, since 1941, an operational and despatch station. This, again, was under a British commandant with a mixed staff and was administered by the Training Section, though training was under the Polish Section, until the summer of 1943, when it came under the Polish section for all purposes. It was used for holding, operational training, and for despatch.

The Polish section also acquired other country establishments which never had any connection with the Training Section, and full details on these, as on the work carried out at Briggens and at Audley End, will be found in the Polish Section History.

All training for Polish students was not however carried out in these schools. Parachute training continued to be carried out at S.T.S. 51, and, until 1944, parties of Poles were given agents training at Group B.

The Polish Minorities Section (EU/P) which grew from the main Polish Section (MP) had its training carried out in the normal way by the Training section, until it acquired, in 1943, S.T.S. 63 (Warnham Court Nr. Horsham, Sussex) which was entirely under its control. This was used both as a training and holding establishment, and was acquired at a time when the number of EU/P Section students was being greatly increased, and the operational plan involved an indefinite holding commitment. Parachute and some specialist training (e.g. Mines and Foreign Weapons) was still, however, carried out by the Training Section.

The training carried out for EU/P section by the Training Section calls for no special comment, and that carried out at S.T.S 63 is treated fully in the History of the section concerned.’

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A. Audley End House
Ian Valentine, in his book Station 43, claims that Audley End House was used as special training school until the end of December 1944 and ‘not derequisitioned until 1945, when the war was over’*. This would be considerably longer than D/Fin.2 states (29.10.1944), which raises the possibility that Poland has taken over the financing for this period, bypassing D/Fin.2. Of the two schools reserved for the EU/P Section, Warnham Court (S.T.S. 63) is mentioned in the D/Fin.2 list while Chudleigh House (S.T.S. 64) is not.

B. The Polish Minorities Section (EU/P)
The mention of a second Polish Country Section requires explanation. When one is aware of the background, it is clear that Major Forty’s carefully chosen wording, stating that the Polish Minorities Section ‘had grown from’ the main Polish Section, was obviously used to distance himself as far as possible from Polish politics.

Why two Polish Country Sections?
The Polish Minorities Section History** in Section III, Part 1, explains the circumstances in detail:
‘Work into Poland - General
Due to the inevitable interdepartmental and politico military intrigue within the Polish Government, two separate departments of the Polish Government in London dealt with underground work in Poland, and the policies of these departments were often diametrically opposed to one another. It was decided therefore that two separate S.O.E. Sections should liaise with these Polish Departments – the S.O.E. Polish Section with the Polish military set up, The VI Bureau of the Polish General Staff, and the S.O.E. Polish Minority Section with the civilian side, a department of the Ministry of the Interior under M. SIUDAK***.
The training of the Polish Ministry of the Interior’s agents was the responsibility of the Polish Minorities Section and a finishing cum holding school was set up at TEWKESBURY on 14.02.1942.**** This school was financed jointly by the Continental Action of the Polish Ministry of the Interior out of the £ 600,000 credit and by M. Siudak out of Special Polish Government funds; students destined both for Poland and countries other than Poland were “finished” at this establishment, after they had been through the normal S.O.E. training schools. British instructors taught at this school and the Polish Departments sent down officials from time to time to lecture on specialised subjects.
Once the training of these so called “political” Poles was completed, they were handed back to M. SIUDAK or held pending his order. To all intents and purposes, they then passed out of this Section’s hands and it was only after some of them returned to the U.K. on completion of their operations that anything was heard of their exploits. Their detailed directive was:
(a) to carry despatches from the Polish Ministry of the Interior to the delegates of the Polish Government resident in Poland.
(b) to endeavour to set up sabotage cells among certain strata of the civilian population which was not easily accessible to the Polish Secret Army. This included certain youth movements which were run by political parties, particularly the Peasant Party and the Socialist Party.

As the years went by, certain of these men returned and it was possible to piece together the picture and to come to the conclusion that whereas their chief function had been to carry the political views of certain Ministers in London to their opposite numbers in Poland, their endeavours to organise sabotage were not wholly unsuccessful and one party under command of an agent named MARA MEYER (trained at Tewkesbury) carried out a small but well planned and successful operation against the Germans.’

The Polish Minorities Section (EU/P) came into existence in December 1940, but its main task was set by the special allocation in June 1941 of a credit of £ 600,000 'for subversive work by Polish organisations in countries other than the U.S.A.'*****

The Polish Minorities Section History, 1944 – 1945**, in its Appendix E to Section I, lists the establishments that have been run under the direct command of this Section:
'- Forthampton House, Tewkesbury (S.T.S. 45a, later S.T.S. 49)
- Inchmery House, near Southampton (from May 1943, for BARDSEA)
- Warnham Court, near Horsham (S.T.S. 63)
- Chudleigh, Rudgwick, near Horsham, Sussex****** (S.T.S. 64)
- Bossuit, Belgium
- Amougies, Belgium
- Baisieux, (French School), France

In all, some 220 students have passed through these schools.’

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(a) Czech Section Training
‘The Czech Section was under the same Regional control as the Polish Section, and the relations between the Czech authorities and S.O.E. were similar to those obtaining in the case of Poland. To begin with, however, training was carried out in the normal way by the Training Section, but in July 1942 S.T.S. 46 (Chichley [sic] Hall*******) was made available to the Czech Section as a general purpose holding and operational school, where they could have Czech instructors, and in May 1943 the school was handed over entirely to them. From that time onwards the Training Section was only concerned with the parachute training of Czech students, with the exception or occasional courses at Group B and the specialist schools.

As with the Polish section, the Czech section also used certain other country establishments for holding purposes, but these were never connected with the Training Section. A full account of Czech training will be found in the Country Section history.’

(b) Norwegian Section Training
‘Until the summer of 1943, training of Norwegian students had been carried out by the Training Section on much the same basis as that of other nationalities, with the exception that a special holding and operational school was established for them in November 1941 at S.T.S. 26 (Dromentoul******** Lodge and Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore, Inverness-shire). Since this school was used as a base for operations, the participation of the Country Section in training was greater than in other cases, and at least one Country Section Officer was permanently in residence. A further difference was that the students held at the school constituted a unit of the Norwegian army, with their own national officers.

In view of these peculiarities, and also because of the strong views held by Lt.-Col. Wilson, the Country Section Head, on the responsibility of Country Sections in the training of their men, the control of the school was transferred entirely to him, in the summer of 1943. All phases of training at S.T.S. 26 are fully covered in the history of the Scandinavian Region.’

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* Valentine, Station 43, p.168
** TNA HS 7/184
*** Paweł Siudak was a Polish peasant activist responsible for communications with the Polish Underground State within the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs in Exile. The minister was in charge of communications with the leadership of the Polish Underground State. He received couriers and informational materials, which were then decoded and shared with the government, offices, and the press. Paweł Siudak was listed under the “Diplomatic Privileges (Extension) Act, 1941”, 07.03.1941, as one of five diplomats of this ministry.
**** S.T.S. 45a, renumbered S.T.S. 49
***** Mackenzie, W. J. M.: Special Operations Executive, Unpublished history, Vol. II, Pt. II, p. 479 (TNA CAB 102/650)
****** TNA HS 4/228
******* Chicheley Hall
******** Several other sources read “Dromintoul”

 

4.16 Overseas Training Schools
4.16.1 General
‘It appears to have been the original intention* for the Director of Training in England to be responsible for all S.O.E. schools, in whatever theatre they might be situated. For a variety of reasons, chief of which, perhaps, was the failure to enforce the original directive, the majority of overseas schools became almost entirely divorced from the Training Section in England. In the absence of guidance from, or liaison with, the Training Section, local S.O.E. Commanders made themselves responsible for setting up or developing their training establishments according to their own lights, and came as a result, to regard any subsequent attempt to impose control from England as interference in their sphere of responsibility.

It is true that the instructors were, in the first place, sent out from the Training Section in England, since these were the only officers available with a knowledge of S.O.E. methods, but once the overseas schools were established, they recruited and trained locally, except when a particular specialist was required, or no suitable candidate could be found on the spot. The decision as to whether an officer should be sent from England rested with the local Commander, and not with the Director of Training.

Inspite of the absence of control, some informal liaison did exist and copies of syllabus, training instructors, etc., were sent, via the London sections, to overseas schools. Up to the beginning of 1944 the machinery of distribution seems to have been unreliable, and schools failed to receive much of what was destined for them. From the beginning of 1944 onwards there was a considerable improvement in this respect.

At the beginning of 1945 the whole question of the sphere of influence of the Director of Training was raised** by Colonel F.V. Spooner who then held the appointment, and a directive was issued by CD*** giving him a considerable measure of control over overseas establishments. For various reasons (e.g. the closing of schools abroad, and general developments in the war situation), it was not possible for this directive to be effectively implemented, though a certain increased liaison did result.

With one exception (S.T.S. 103 in Canada) it is not therefore possible from the records available to the Training Section to make more than brief reference to overseas training schools.’

4.16.2 S.T.S. 103
‘The idea of establishing a training school in Canada was first discussed in the summer of 1941**** and by October 1941, a site had been found near Toronto, and the syllabus and constitution of the school to be known as S.T.S. 103 were laid down*****. The first course started in December 1941.****** The purpose of establishing a school in Canada was twofold; first to train men, recruited in Canada, for Service with S.O.E. in Europe (French Canadians, refugees, etc.) and secondly to assist the American S.I. and S.O. branches, which since America was not in the war at that time, could not be done on American soil. As soon as America came into the war, the latter side of the work of S.T.S. 103 increased in importance, and in addition to training large numbers of Americans for Security and Propaganda work in South America, very great assistance was given to O.S.S. and O.W.I. in the setting up of their own schools and the training of their staff.

S.T.S. 103 was under the control of the New York Mission for administrative purposes, but its training activities were subject to the control of the Director of Training in England, who also appointed the Commandant and Instructional Staff; the administrative staff being supplied by the Canadian Army. The school was originally placed under the command of Lt.-Col. Roper-Caldbeck, who was replaced in December 1941******* by Lt.-Col. R.M. Brooker. Major C. Skilbeck, the Chief Instructor, was promoted lieutenant-colonel and took over from him in the early part of 1943********, remaining in command until the closing of the school on 20.04.1944.********* His place as Chief instructor was taken by Major P.E. Dehn. (All these officers with the exception of Lt.-Col. Roper-Caldbeck, were sent to S.T.S. 103 from Group B.)

Training at S.T.S. 103 covered the paramilitary, agents (Group B) and propaganda syllabus. As far as the agents recruited in Canada for employment by S.O.E. were concerned, only the paramilitary syllabus was given, the remaining training being given in England. The Group B and propaganda training was however given to American students and those concerned with the setting up of American schools.

One noteworthy fact about S.T.S. 103 is that unlike the schools in England, it was not accommodated in existing buildings, but in a specially constructed camp, in an area chosen for its suitability.**********

Apart from the advantage this gave as regards layout, it meant that the additions which became necessary to house the W/T Station (which handled all S.O.E. New York traffic) could be made more easily than could have been the case with a requisitioned house.’

--- --- ---

A letter of M.O.1., Ext: 96, on 207 Military Mission, dated 30.10.1941#*, still limits the purpose of the school to Group A courses:
‘[…] The School is for the purpose of training Agents and Organisers from the various states in South America and Central America and possibly U.S.A. with the ultimate object of sending Nationals of these countries to enemy occupied territory. The instruction comprises para military training and S.S. work.’

“S.S. work” meant “special service work”, a term that eventually was changed to “commando” in March 1941, sorting this school from its purpose into the Group A schools in the Arisaig region (S.T.S. 21 to S.T.S. 25). The letter was written approximately five weeks before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, but cautious wording is already revealing plans for the deployment of US forces. This attack occurred shortly after the start of the first course. Since most of the instructors came from Group B, it should not have been a problem to adapt the training accordingly.

--- --- ---

4.16.3 Other Overseas S.T.S.
‘The first of the overseas training schools to be established was M.E. 102 at Haifa, which was opened in December 1940. This was under control of S.O.M. and was moved to Italy when conditions allowed of this. It carried out all forms of training for work in the Balkans and Middle East. There was a separate parachute training wing.

After the Allied landings in North Africa, a group of schools was established by the Massingham Mission in Algiers to train men for work into the south of France and Italy. These schools were also transferred to Italy after the Allied landings there.

Complete training organisations were established by S.O.E. in India#**, and S.O. Australia for the training of men, both European and native, to work into Japanese occupied territory.

None of the foregoing schools were under the control of the Director of Training, though, as already stated, some liaison did exist and instructors were sent out from this country. Detailed accounts of the work and development of these training schools must therefore be sought in the histories of the respective missions concerned.’

--- --- ---

A. Limits of the Director of Training
The limits of responsibility for training establishments abroad between the local S.O.E. organisations and the Director of Training in London were determined in a telegram from CD of 29.07.1942, “Responsibility of London Training Section for Training Establishments” (local number 653)#***:
‘A. As a result of our experience over the last 18 months I have decided to lay down as a general principle for the organisation that as regards S.O.E. training establishments which have been set up or may in future be set up abroad, the Director of Training in London shall have the responsibility for and the necessary authority to supervise the technical side of the training being given in the mission.

B. For this purpose he will be entitled to call for reports at any time and in any form he thinks necessary and will have authority to issue instructions through the head of the missions on any technical aspect as opposed to administration of the training work of the mission. He will also have the right to satisfy himself as to the technical qualifications of the personnel engaged in training.

C. The above general principle will apply to all missions, over and above this special arrangements[sic] may from time to time be made as circumstances require covering the operation of the training establishment on any particular mission.

Sent to A/DH for MilPal - BB110 New Delhi - A/DW Gibraltar – DZ Durban - W.4.Neucols - W.F.Frawest - G.New York’

The recipients of this telegram illustrate the global reach of S.O.E. Neucols and Frawest require explanation: Louis Franck, a Belgian banker and head of the Franck Mission of S.O.E., left England as early as 06.12.1940 for Lagos, Nigeria, In the summer of 1941, the mission was divided into two: French West Africa (Frawest) un-der Lt.-Col. R.S.L. Wingate, and Neutral Colonies (Neucols) under Franck.#****

B. M.E. 102 at Haifa and S.O.M.
With the establishment of the first school that was not under the control of London HQ, the designation “Special Training School” was abandoned and replaced by “Military Establishment”, a term that appeared in September 1941 and was used for 109 establishments at home and abroad. All establishments were secret and were consequently assigned to Volume VIII. Of course, these were not all limited to schools but served a wide range of purposes.

The first war establishment for the school in Haifa (VIII/212/1) was promulgated together with those for the first Special Training Schools on 26.03.1941; unfortunately, the first two issues have not been preserved so that no title had been passed on. However, it is mentioned as “Special Training Centre No. 102” in the minutes of the War Establishment Sub-Committee when discussing the applied amendments that resulted in VIII/212/1 (A.C.I 03.09.1941). The term “Special Training Centre” had already been used for the school at Inverailort since June 1940; to distinguish S.O.E. schools the title had to be changed, just like the first title (Special Training Centre Holding Units) for the Holding Schools. With VIII/212/3 (A.C.I. 06.01.1942), the title was changed to Military Establishment No. 102 and lasted to VIII/212/5, cancelled with effect from 08.09.1945.

“S.O.M.” stands for “Headquarters, Special Operations Mediterranean”; it included O.S.S. and S.O.E. and was created only in March 1944.

---
* To MILPAL, dated 29.07.1942, also Training TR/A/1 MT/567/A.1, dated 19.12.1944
** Training TR/A/1 MT/5679/A.1, dated 19.12.1944
*** Training TR/A/1 CD/7551, dated 02.01.1945
**** Training TR/N/10 “Report by Lt.-Col. Lindsay on a visit to the U.S.A. and Canada regarding the formation of STS”, dated 24.09.1941
***** Training TR/S/1 MT/101, dated 27.10.1941
****** From New York 17810, dated 10.12.1941
******* Handwritten remark in TNA HS 7/51 corrects this to “August 1942”.
******** Handwritten remark in TNA HS 7/51 corrects this to “March 1943”
********* Training TR/S/1 CD/3019, dated 24.02.1942
********** Training TR/S/1 SO/924, dated 30.03.1942
#* WO 193/631: 207 Military Mission Special Training School, Canada
#** Handwritten remark in TNA HS 7/51 specifies “Poona”.
#*** HS 3/80: P.E.R.O. (Political and Economic Research Office)
#**** Mackenzie, W.J.M.: Special Operations Executive, unpublished history, p. 495 - 497 (TNA CAB 102/649 to 653)

 

4.17 Assistance Given to Other Organisations and Services
‘In addition to the training of S.O.E. agents assistance was given to a number of outside bodies, which a listed below:

1. P.W.E.
All training of P.W.E. (Political Warfare Executive) agents was carried out by S.T.P. and later S.T.S. 39. In addition to Propaganda teaching, they were also trained in weapons, parachuting, radio and the technique of clandestine life and organisation at the appropriate S.T.S. Assistance was also given in the selection of personnel by the loan of technical staff from the S.A.B.

2. The “C” Organisation (S.I.S.)
S.O.E. undertook all parachute training for the “C” Organisation and an average of six vacancies were taken up weekly at S.T.S. 51 by their students. This number was considerably increased at the end of 1943 and in early 1944 to handle the personnel of their “SUSSEX” plan. (The Intelligence equivalent of the JEDBURGH scheme). 872 students were trained in all.

3. S.A.S.
From 1943 onwards there was a fairly constant flow of S.A.S. (Special Air Service) personnel to S.T.S. 51 for parachute training, 172 being trained in all.

4. O.S.S.
O.S.S. (Office of Strategic Services) established no training schools properly speaking in England and all their personnel operated from here were trained in our schools, although some had received previous training in the U.S.A. After the integration of O.S.S. and S.F. Headquarters in the summer of 1943, no distinction was made between students from American and British sources. The arrangement was of reciprocal value as O.S.S. not only supplied the Training Section with considerable quantities of equipment but also some made available instructors who worked in the schools.

5. D.G.E.R.
When the French set up, in the autumn of 1944, under the D.G.E.R. (Direction Générale des Études et Recherches) a group of training schools known as Centre 20, the Training Section of S.O.E. was consulted. Colonel Viat, the officer responsible for setting up the schools, visited the British training establishments (some of which he already knew as a student) and consulted the Director of Training, who undertook to supply him not only with information and with facilities for training instructors in England, but also to make available to him British instructors who could assist in starting courses at Centre 20. In all, five officers and four N.C.Os. were attached for varying lengths of time, up to May 1945, to Centre 20, and in addition the Director of Training paid several visits in an advisory capacity. Again this arrangement was of value to the Training Section of S.O.E. as the French made available much valuable information on German methods and through the connection with Centre 20 it proved possible to collect a number of specimens of enemy weapons, mines and other devices, which it had been difficult to obtain through other channels.

6. M.I.5.
The direct assistance given to M.I. 5 by the Training Section was limited to courses given at Group B to R.S.L.Os. in the methods of clandestine warfare (referred to under Agents Finishing Training) and to courses in Counter Sabotage methods (referred to under S.T.S. 17).

7. S.A.A.R.F.
When S.A.A.R.F. (Special Allied Airborne Rescue Force) was formed in the spring of 1945 the assistance of the S.O.E. Training Section was enlisted for the training of their personnel. Parachute training was carried out at S.T.S. 51 and four officers and two N.C.Os. were loaned to them to assist in training at their camp at Wentworth.

8. Miscellaneous
In addition to the foregoing a number of individual officers and other ranks were trained for the Army, the Admiralty, the Foreign Office, etc.’

4.18 Conclusion
‘Until such time as a comprehensive analysis of the work of S.O.E. has been completed it is not possible to make a final assessment of the work of the Training Section, nor to express definite opinions on the soundness of the policy pursued. All that will therefore be attempted here will be an indication of those points of training, which, on account of their controversial nature, or their fundamental importance, will require consideration in making a final estimate, or in planning a future training organisation.

1. General Organisation
Considering the urgency of the demand of for training facilities and the absence of previous experience of training for large-scale sabotage, the organisation adopted was surprisingly successful. That it was so is in large part due to the far-sightedness and energy of the early training officers in drawing up and carrying through a workable plan. There can be no right and wrong way of carrying out training; there are a variety of ways, each of which, given the appropriate personalities and the suitable conditions may produce equally good results. Furthermore, what is good in one war, is not necessarily good in another, and quite possibly bad in peacetime. The alternative systems a therefore summarised briefly.

(a) That training should be the responsibility of a central training section as at present, but that, with the exception of certain specialist instruction, all subjects should be taught in the same schools of which one would be allotted to each nationality. The advantages adduced for this scheme are:

first, that it facilitates the co-ordination of all types of training and produces a greater sense of relative importance of the various aspects of training on the part of the student,

and secondly, that it saves time and money in travelling.

(b) That training should be the responsibility of Country Sections. This was partially applied in the case of the Norwegian, Polish and Czech sections,* and a comparison will therefore be possible of the results achieved. Colonel J.S. Wilson is a prominent advocate of active Country Section participation in training, and the question is treated in some detail by him in the history of the Scandinavian Region.

2. The Position of the Director of Training
Given that there is a central training section (and there must surely be some co-ordinating body even if training is in Country Section hands), the Director of Training cannot carry out his functions satisfactorily unless he is consulted at the planning stage and on a high level. Furthermore, his authority must be assured, and he must be in a position to demand information from all sources. In this War, the position of the Director of Training was equivocal.**

3. The Selection of Agents
Here, there are two main questions:
(a) Whether selection should be by Country Sections, or by a central board such as the S.A.B. Experience in this War showed that recruitment by country sections led to the introduction into training of many undesirable elements, with consequent difficulties of disposal, and strained relations with M.I. 5. On the other hand it is held that an independent board tends to be too rigid in its methods, causing the rejection of potentially suitable men. It is undoubtedly cheaper for selection to be carried out by Country Sections, and if they have recruiting officers of sound judgement the results may be equally satisfactory, but the advantage of scientific selection (generally accepted in the services as valuable) is lost.
(b) If there is a central selection board, under whose control it should be placed. The S.A.B. was controlled by the Training Section, largely because they had the experience and machinery to administer a country establishment, but also because the idea of introducing the S.A.B. came from the Director of Training. Possible alternatives are:
for the S.A.B. to be under the control of a more impartial section;
or, for its technical machinery to be available to Country Sections, who would supply the President and possibly M.T.Os. when their students came before it.
This would mean, in practice, Country Section recruiting, but with the assistance of scientific methods.

4. The Segregation of Students
From a security point of view, it is arguable that a segregation of individuals or operational groups is more important than a segregation of nationalities. Agents of the same nationality, going to the same country, constitute far more of a danger to each other, in the event of treachery or the leakage of information under interrogation, than men of different nationalities. On the other hand, from the point of view of efficient and economical training, groups of nationals are desirable, since they have a common language, outlook, and interests, and also because training must be based on the conditions under which men are going to work, and these conditions vary from country to country. The ideal is clearly individual training, but if the numbers involved approach those handled in this war, such a system is impossible because of the numbers of instructors and establishments needed and the resultant expense.

As will have been seen, the original plan provided for complete segregation of nationalities, and this system continued to be applied at Groups A and B, and in the Operational Holding schools of Group C. It was not however applied at S.T.S. 17, 39, or 51, nor at the wireless training schools. In many cases the result was therefore that the full advantages of neither system were obtained, but the disadvantages of both were suffered.

What measure and type of segregation is desirable in training needs careful consideration in the light of an analysis of the enemy’s successes in penetrating and breaking down organisations in the Field. It is also related to the methods of organisation used in the Field, since it is pointless to take great care to prevent two men meeting who will be constantly meeting in the Field, and it is fatal, if two men are to ignore each others[sic] existence and operations, for them to have met in training.

5. Overseas Training Schools
If the conditions of this War are ever repeated, with training schools in different parts of the world, each serving a separate theatre of war, a decision will have to be reached as to the measure of control to be imposed from the U.K., or wherever the central organisation is based. It is clear that the local conditions in different theatres produce the need for special types of training which it is difficult, if not impossible, to appreciate at a distance of several thousand miles. At the same time, there are basic principles of training and types of equipment of widespread utility, and training in these should be standardised at the highest level of efficiency. Furthermore, unless there is centralized control, the lessons learnt in one theatre, which may be of value in another, will never circulate. Again, without central control, the most economic use of trained instructors becomes impossible, as there can be no balancing of a surplus in one theatre with a demand in another.

It would seem that the solution may lie, not in a rigid control from the U.K. of all training, but rather in the Director of Training becoming the central co-ordinating point of all training. This could be achieved both by personal liaison visits and by having representatives attached to each theatre commander. Whether this is so or not, a firm decision should be sought, as the hesitancy which marked the official attitude towards the question in this War caused many difficulties, if not loss of efficiency.

6. Supplies of Enemy Equipment
The greatest difficulty was encountered in obtaining adequate supplies of enemy equipment for training purposes. This applied both to German and Japanese equipment. It was not until 1944 that adequate supplies of German equipment became available, and only a few isolated specimens of Japanese equipment ever reached this country, despite repeated requests in both cases. Since men must be taught to use enemy weapons, explosives, etc. which may fall into their hands (and indeed in clandestine and guerilla work, the only equipment may well be that of the enemy) a high priority should be given to the training section of any offensive clandestine organisation for the allocation of captured equipment.

7. Standard Charges
There has been, and still is, considerable controversy on the subject of explosive charges. On the one hand it is contended that an agent should be instructed in the principles of demolition, so that given the bulk explosive, fuse etc., he can make up suitable charges for the work to be carried out, also that he should be proficient in the use of numerous special devices adapted to particular types of target. This was the view help by Group A, and by the Research Section. On the other hand it is held that, since agents are not always of high intelligence, and since much work in the Field is carried out by men who receive instruction at second or third hand, it is better to evolve a simple, standard, made-up charge, which the operator has only to fix and initiate, and to drill students thoroughly in the uses which can be made of it. This was the view of S.T.S. 17 and of the Director of Training, who authorised the introduction of standard charges.*** A decision as to which faction was in the right (if there is one solution) must await the results of technical evaluation.’

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* See Chapter “Country Section Training”
** See Chapter “The Headquarters of the Training Section”, Section 1 “General”
*** See Chapter “Demolition Training”

 

5 War Establishments in General
5.1 The System
The British War Establishment System 1931 was introduced in May 1932. With its promulgation, it cancelled and replaced its predecessor system, Provisional War Establishments, 1923, Parts XXIIIA, XXIVA, XXVA and XXVIA. In addition to the new system, there were still a few Peace Establishments which disappeared when the war broke out. For many institutions ‘at home’ (United Kingdom), other regulations initially remained in place, but these were gradually replaced by war establishments.

The System 1931 was introduced with four volumes and increased due to necessary organisational expansions to sixteen by 1944. The first four volumes regulated the Field Force. The notes to the introduction of each of the first four volumes already mentioned Volume V “Home Units”, but no appropriate tables were released before May 1935. In August 1939, a sixth volume appeared, without a dedication; the content made it clear that something like "overseas" was intended here. With the promulgation of further volumes in the future, this target group was to be specified further, with the Middle East remaining at the end. Volume VII - Air and Coast Defence at Home and Ports Abroad - was promulgated on 12.06.1940 and relieved Volume V considerably, which had started its way to become the most voluminous. It dropped the group “Ports Abroad” by January 1941, so that the United Kingdom (“Home”) was completely and exclusively governed by Volumes V and VII. Volume VIII was introduced on 30.10.1940 to create a common and more secure environment for the rapidly growing number of secret war establishments and to avoid careless mistakes in their producing and handling from the outset; it contained all “special”, i.e. “secret” war establishments that would normally have belonged to one of the other volumes. The following Volumes IX to XV were issued as the war progressed and theatres of war were specified, with repeated shifts of war establishments between the individual volumes. Towards the end of the war, volume XVI was finally devoted to the Control Commissions for regulating the transition to the post-war era. In addition, three further volumes were introduced in August 1940 in a subsystem "AF" for "African Forces" (I AF to III AF), which regulated formations and units in East and West Africa.

5.2 The War Establishments
5.2.1 Creation
Producing war establishments was a bureaucratic process; they had to go through a defined administrative procedure. Proposals for war establishments were submitted to the War Office, whereupon they were discussed at regular meetings by the War Establishment Committee, an executive body of the War Office, and either approved, with the corrections deemed necessary, or rejected. Already before the war, a Sub-Committee was established with limited powers, destined to reduce the workload of the Committee. Approved war establishments were then promulgated in Army Council Instructions (A.C.Is.) with their serial number and their title. Those belonging to Volume VIII were promulgated without their titles for reasons of secrecy during most of the time or with an anonymised title during certain periods. After the complete documents had been printed, they were distributed to the relevant units with a certain delay. War establishments of Volume VIII were excluded from the printing part of the process; only a very small number of typed copies were distributed to the few recipients, namely the units concerned and their superior headquarters responsible for ensuring compliance.

5.2.2 Unequivocal Identification by Serial Number
In addition to a descriptive title, war establishments are assigned a serial number for clarity, ease of retrieval and presentation in a chronological context, as well as for organisational purposes. It contains a Volume number, a Table number, and an Issue number (e.g. VIII/205/1).
<Volume>/<Table>/<Issue>, e.g. VIII/205/1.
- “VIII” describes the volume number; Volume VIII was established for secret war establishments.
- “205” describes the table number; this was sometimes extended by letters. They were usually allocated in ascending order, but many exceptions were made, either because of the usual military tendency to conceal information for reasons of secrecy or because of discrepancies in planning and execution. Volume VIII started with the promulgation in A.C.Is. on 30.10.1940. The first table number was 30 B, followed by low numbers not exceeding 41 and some 3-digit numbers one week later. The first table number used for S.O.E.’s training system was 205, promulgated on 26.03.1941.
- “1” describes the issue, usually starting with 1. Issue No. 2 would usually supersede Issue No. 1 and so on. Exceptions were always possible.

Where minor corrections and adjustments to previously promulgated war establishments were deemed necessary but did not warrant a new issue, amendments to the war establishments were issued. They were usually numbered and referred to the issue number, e.g. “Amendment No. 1 to W.E. VIII/205/1”. For reasons of space, these are occasionally shown here in abbreviated form as “VIII/205/1-A1” or even “205/1-A1”.

5.2.3 Content
According to A.C.I. 2144 of 1941, 01.11.1941 - Use of the Term “War Establishment”, the material or essential content is given as:
Part (i) - Personnel
Part (ii) - Distribution of rank and file by trades (and duties)
Part (iii) - Transport
Part (iv) - Organization table
Part (v) - Table of weapons and ammunition
--- - Note on First Reinforcements and 2nd line transport, R.A.S.C.

The presentation of this content was subject to occasional changes and depended on the type of the unit or headquarters depicted.

”Rank and file” denoted the ranks of corporal or bombardier and below; sometimes, the appointment “lance-serjeant” appeared in war establishments during the war, and they also belonged to this group. Serjeants and ranks and appointments above up to warrant officers, class I, were normally marked already under part (i) with their respective trades and duties. Rank and file personnel were either tradesmen* or non-tradesmen**. Service trades were listed in a separate catalogue*** and assigned to a trade number. Tradesmen had qualified in their trade and were thus better paid. Non-tradesmen were assigned to duties.

There is hidden information in war establishments, as they follow certain rules, sometimes created within the 1931 System, sometimes elsewhere. (Hidden information will be added in this text in italics.)

5.2.4 Lifespan
The date of the promulgation is noted on each copy (“Notified in A.C.Is.”) and serves to reconstruct the order of appearance and to find the promulgations in A.C.Is. From January 1941, a second date called “Effective date” began to appear on some of the war establishments and soon became the rule; effective dates are usually indicated as “with effect from” or “w.e.f.” in other documents. The effective date could usually refer to an earlier date, but sometimes also a later date appeared.

The effective period starts with the effective date. If there is no effective date, which was the rule until the end of 1940, the date of promulgation denotes the start of the effective period. The effective date can be terminated by several measures: The war establishment is superseded by another one, showing either the following issue number or a new table number, usually starting with issue 1, or it can be cancelled without any successor.

The same applies in principle to amendments to war establishments, containing minor changes not justifying completely new issues of war establishments. The amendments belong to “their” issue of the war establishment and have an own numbering. They are terminated together with their issue (e.g.: Amendment No. 1 to VIII/357/1).

Example: War establishment VIII/357/1 - Special Training Schools Nos. 21 to 25: It was effective from 23.07.1942 until 29.09.1943, when it was superseded by its successor VIII/550/1. Amendment No. 1 to VIII/357/1 was effective from 24.08.1942 and shared the fate of its issue, when it was superseded.

5.2.5 Not an Army Establishment
Most of the war establishments for S.O.E. show this entry. This wording is liable to misunderstanding, as they were produced by the Army and under their rules. It should rather read “Not exclusively an Army Establishment”. It indicates that the unit in question is in parts financed differently and rather include other services as Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Royal Marines, even civilian personnel, than excluding the Army, enabling to recruit skilled specialists of many kinds.

In the case of the S.O.E. establishments, further exceptions were made by recruiting foreigners and women as agents, the former often as members of their national military in exile. For women, the S.O.E. rediscovered the institution of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (F.A.N.Y.), which enabled employment even where the Army could not provide it and which did not belong to the Army. Both appeared anonymously as students at Special Training Schools, where they were sent by their Country Sections or other units, but are not normally included in the war establishments of the schools.

5.2.6 Patterns and Types
War establishments are the principal means of planning, organising, and financing military units. They usually come in the form of a template for each unit that needs to be organised, but there are exceptions.

Type of war Establishment - Examples of units concerned - Valid for
Template type - e.g. infantry battalion, commando, … - each unit of that type
Unique type - e.g. No. 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando or Special Training School No. 21 - one single unit
Countable type - Special Training Schools Nos. 22 to 26 - clearly identifiable units

There are no template types for the Special Training Schools. However, as their tasks were changed over the years, the type for some of their war establishments changed from a countable type to a unique, but also vice versa, which adds to the confusion. Even amendments to war establishments changed relations by excluding contained schools or introducing new ones.

5.3 Other authorisations
Although war establishments were the principal method of authorisation, there were more ways to establish military units. The fact that several war establishments were not retained in the 1931-system or never promulgated, opens the search for different sources. There were provisional war establishments that usually did not find their way into the official 1931-system with the consequence that they were not promulgated and printed. They were “born” as this by War Office letters. Other authorisations were not even called “war establishment” when giving the authorisation for a new unit. As the War Office was a large administrative authority, sending thousands of War Office letters every week, for many purposes, these sources were mostly not retained, and examples are hard to find. In some cases, there were other ways found to fill these gaps of missing sources.

5.4 Known Authorisations Prior to First War Establishments
Looking at the overview of the relevant war establishments, one gets the impression that there was no authorisation for special training schools before 26.03.1941 (VIII/205/1 to VIII/210/1, including the Preliminary - originally called Depots -, Para-military, Finishing and Holding Schools). Anders Lassen, VC, had already taken part in a course for 15 Danish students at S.T.S. 1, Brockhall (VIII/208/1), which took place between 11.01.1941 and 27.01.1941.****

VIII/240/1 for S.T.S. 51, the Parachute Ground School, effective from 21.07.1941, gives the impression that there was no parachute training before that date, although the school had two houses and a commandant appointed already before mid-March 1941 and the parachute training was started together with the para-military training in that month. The minutes of meeting of the War Establishment Sub-Committee No. 423 of 17.07.1941 reveal an interesting aspect. Under agenda item No. 26, the following amendments were recorded as approved (with effect from 18.07.1941): For “Special Training School, No. 51” to an otherwise unspecified document, nine soldiers were added and two upgraded (addition of an administrative officer and 2nd-in-command, a corporal, a duty serjeant and 7 Regimental Police and an instructor upgraded from lieutenant to captain as well as a deleted serjeant, R.E.). This amendment resulted in VIII/240/1, the very first war establishment for this school, effective from 17.07.1941. These “amendments” were thus made to an unknown document (most probably a War Office letter) with a total strength of already 39 soldiers. The beginning of the effective period of this document is unknown.

5.5 Reconstructed War Establishments
Although Volume VIII of the War Establishments System, which contains all S.O.E. war establishments, is one of the best-preserved volumes, several documents are missing, particularly from the first year of S.O.E.’s existence. This is partly because the term “Special Training School” for S.O.E. did not appear in the war establishments before the end of 1941. Several tables started under different names (205 – 210, 228), which may have prompted the archivists not to keep them. The War Establishments Committee, Sub-Committee and two different Investigating Committees in the War Office met regularly, and a lot of their minutes of meetings are preserved (TNA WO 24/1020 – 1091). In some of these cases, it was possible to find the changes leading from one issue to the following (e.g. the delta between VIII/205/1 and VIII/205/2). Still, this way of research is sometimes hampered by unclear or insufficient denomination (serial number or title) of the war establishments in the minutes of meeting, due to security reasons, or the changes were not documented at all. Certain minor details remain uncertain, as whether personnel (e.g. cooks) were shown as attached to or included in the unit, but they can be considered negligible.

Of the 72 issues belonging to this topic, 60 have been preserved. Of the twelve that were lost, nine could be reconstructed in this way. In addition, a single rare piece of evidence of authorisation by War Office letter was found and reconstructed*****. Furthermore, alongside a few amendments, one important amendment was discovered that was approved but never promulgated and which provided evidence of the upgrade of the appointment of the Director of Training to the rank of colonel.

5.6 War Establishments for Training Units of S.O.E.
Schools and institutions managed exclusively by the Training Section were subject to many changes. Major Forty wrote about many exceptions, whether factually or on the timeline. S.O.E. constantly evolved, always keen to adjust to the developments. Specific directorates as the Directorate of Signals were established later and overtook training under their own management; it installed even a Training Section of its own. Instead of finding an unhelpful distinctive restriction following Major Forty’s responsibilities, in case of doubt, the scope here is extended beyond the jurisdiction of S.O.E.’s Training Section, to include all known institutions that provided training at any point in time.

Not included are schools under the jurisdiction of S.O.E. authorities in the theatres abroad.

This led to the inclusion and addition of the following schools, stations and units:
- S.T.S. 26, Norwegian Country Section (SN)
- S.T.S. 38, Polish Country Section (MP)
- S.T.S. 49, Polish Minorities Section (EU/P)
- S.T.S. 52, Directorate of Signals (D/Sigs)
- Station No. 53, Directorate of Signals (D/Sigs)
- S.T.S No. 54, later S.T.S. 54a, Directorate of Signals (D/Sigs)
- S.T.S. 54b, Directorate of Signals (D/Sigs)
- S.T.S. 61, Air Liaison Directorate (AL)
- S.T.S. 62, later Station No. 62, Small Scale Raiding Force, later as No. 62 Commando a unit managed by M Section of S.O.E. and Combined Operations
- S.T.S. 63, Polish Minorities Section (EU/P)
- S.T.S. 64, Polish Minorities Section (EU/P).

The war establishments included in the appendices to Major Forty’s History contain 27 of the most recent issues. Although they present most of the important schools and even provide some interesting details not found in TNA’s WO 24-series, they are not complete, not only in terms of earlier and outdated issues or units that had already been closed. That led to further additions:
- S.T.S. 19
- S.T.S. 50
- S.T.S 103, Canada
- I.S.R.B. Workshop (“The Cooler”)
- S.T.S. Holding Unit No. 1.

---

* E.g. armourers, artificers (R.A.), butcher, carpenters & joiners, clerks, electricians, fitters, linemen, driver-mechanics, motor-mechanics, vehicle-mechanics, technical storemen, watermen, …
** E.g. batmen, batman-drivers, drivers, I.C., gun and L.M.G. numbers, medical officer’s orderlies, regimental police, sanitary dutymen, storemen, stretcher bearers, …
*** At the beginning of World War Two, the catalogue held 106 trades (A.C.I. 708 of 1939, 19.10.1939). This catalogue was subject to constant amendments, including the “female trades” of the A.T.S. after introducing this service.
**** Harder, Thomas: Special Forces Hero, p. 54
***** S.T.S. 51

--- --- ---

We will now continue with the war establishments in detail.

 

6 War Establishments in Detail
A presentation grouped by schools would have been desirable but could not be achieved without causing considerable confusion. Therefore, the war establishments are grouped according to their table numbers, and the tables contain references to show successor and predecessor tables. Issues and amendments are listed in chronological order. All war establishments belong to the special Volume VIII, so this part of the number is dispensable.

Various ways were used to present war establishments. To make them comparable, a uniform presentation was sought, which differs from the originals in terms of layout. To provide invisible additional information that only readers familiar with the rules can deduce, several comments, additions and explanations have been added. (These are written in italics and in brackets). Totals are shown in bold.

The tables in numerical order:
Table No. - Title
VIII/205 - Special Training Schools Nos. 41 to 47 (originally ‘Special Training Centre Holding Units (Six)’)
VIII/206 - Special Training Schools Nos. 33 to 37 (originally ‘Satellite Finishing Schools (five)’)
VIII/207 - Special Training School No. 31 (originally ‘Central Finishing School’)
VIII/208 - Special Training Schools Nos. 1 to 6 (originally ‘Depot, I.S.R.B. (six)’)
VIII/209 - Special Training School No. 21 (originally ‘H.Q. Para-military School’)
VIII/210 - Special Training Schools Nos. 22 to 26 (originally ‘Para-military School (six)’)
VIII/228 - Special Training School No. 103 (originally ‘207 Military Mission’)
VIII/240 - Special Training School No. 51
VIII/244 - I.S.R.B. Workshop (“The Cooler”)
VIII/245 - Special Training School No. 52
VIII/257 - Special Training School No. 61 and Station No. 61 (originally ‘Operational Despatch Station, I.S.R.B.’)
VIII/313 - Headquarters Special Training Schools
VIII/314 - Special Training School No. 17
VIII/317 - Special Training School and Station No. 62
VIII/339 - Station No. 53
VIII/349 - Special Training School No. 54
VIII/354 - Special Training School No. 49 (originally Special Training School No. 47)
VIII/355 - Special Training School No. 7
VIII/357 - Special Training Schools Nos. 21 to 25
VIII/362 - Special Training School No. 26
VIII/368 - Special Training School No. 50
VIII/458 - Special Training Schools Holding Unit No. 1
VIII/465 - Special Training School No. 39
VIII/466 - Special Training School No. 63
VIII/532 - Special Training School No. 40
VIII/544 - Special Training School No. 32
VIII/545 - Special Training School No. 33
VIII/546 - Special Training School No. 34
VIII/547 - Special Training School No. 35
VIII/548 - Special Training School No. 36
VIII/549 - Special Training School No. 37
VIII/550 - Special Training School No. 21
VIII/551 - Special Training School No. 22
VIII/552 - Special Training School No. 23
VIII/553 - Special Training School No. 24
VIII/554 - Special Training School No. 25
VIII/570 - Military Establishment No. 65
VIII/650 - Special Training Schools Nos. 2, 3, 5 and 6 (each)
VIII/994 - Special Training Schools Nos. 33 and 34 (each)
VIII/995 - Special Training School No. 64
VIII/1012 - Special Training School No. 19
VIII/1051 - Station No. 61A

Graphic files attached in PNG format for viewing here and in PDF format for parallel viewing in a second browser tab when the establishments are being examined.

S.O.E. Training Units – Schools, Numbers, Types and Houses


S.O.E. Training Units - War Establishments

 

6.1 WE VIII/205
6.2 WE VIII/206

6.1 WE VIII/205 - Special Training Schools, Nos. 41 to 46
(extended to No. 47, reduced by No. 43*)
(originally “Special Training Centre Holding Units (Six)”)

These are the Holding Schools, a term changed to Operational Holding Schools in January 1943. (The term “Special Training Centre” had already been used for the school at Inverailort since June 1940; this school did not belong to S.O.E.).

Schools and Houses
S.T.S. 41: 1. Fawley Court, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, 06/1941 – 09.07.1942, house transferred to Signal Section and renumbered S.T.S. 54a
2. Gumley Hall, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, 07/1942 – 09/1945

S.T.S. 42: 1. Thame Park, Thame, Oxfordshire, 06/1941 – 11/1941; 12/1941 house transferred to Signal Section as a W/T School, renumbered S.T.S. 52
2. Inchmery House, Inchmery, Exbury, near Southampton, Hamp-shire, 12/1941 – 07/1942
3. Roughwood Park, Chalfont St. Giles, Buckinghamshire, 08/1942 – 06/1945

S.T.S. 43: Audley End House, Audley End, Saffron Walden, Essex, 04/1942 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 44: 1. Gumley Hall, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, 06/1941 – 04/1942
2. Water Eaton Manor, Gosford and Water Eaton, Oxfordshire, from 04/1942
3. Gorse Hill, Whitley, Godalming, Surrey, until 06/1945

The schools at Water Eaton Manor (initially S.T.S. 44) and Gorse Hill (initially S.T.S. 50) swapped numbers sometime between 16.01.1944 and 03.03.1944.

S.T.S. 45: Hatherop Castle, Fairford, Gloucestershire, 06/1941 – 06/1945

S.T.S. 45a: Forthampton House, Forthampton, near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, 10/1941 – 07/1942, then listed as S.T.S. 49 (VIII/354/1)

S.T.S. 46: Chicheley Hall, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, 06/1941 – 06/1945

S.T.S. 47: Anderson Manor, Blandford, Dorset, 07/1943 – 06/1945

S.T.S. 45a at Forthampton House was removed from the jurisdiction of the Training Section on 14.02.1942. It was set up as a “Finishing cum Holding School” for the Polish Minorities Section (EU/P) and was given its own war establishment (VIII/354/1) with effect from 23.07.1942. The reasons for this are explained there.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/205/1, 26.03.1941 (A.C.I.) - 04.12.1941, not available; reconstructed**
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/205/1, 19.05.1941
2. VIII/205/2, 05.12.1941 - 04.02.1944
2a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/205/2, 11.09.1942
2b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/205/2, 24.08.1942
3. VIII/205/3, 05.02.1944 - 08.07.1945 (cancelled).
3a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/205/3, 03.08.1944
3b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/205/3, 15.02.1945

War Establishments in Detail

1 VIII/205/1 - Special Training Centre Holding Units (Six) (reconstructed**), 26.03.1941 - 04.12.1941
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant and chief instructor (captain or major)
2 Instructors (lieutenants)
1 Adjutant and quartermaster (subaltern)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor A.P.T.C. (serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor (serjeant), R.E.
1 Assistant instructor (corporal), infantry
2 Clerks
2 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess (corporal)
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for Officers' mess
1 Orderly for Serjeants' mess
3 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Regimental police (corporal)
6 Regimental police
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Storeman
6 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
4 Total, officers
3 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
3 Total, corporals
29 Total, privates (a)
35 Total, other ranks
39 Total, special training centre holding units (six)

(a) In privates included:
1 Corporal

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled

Note:
Additions to this establishment are authorised as below for each increase of 50 above 95 (students):
1 Cook (rank and file mess)
1 Orderly (rank and file mess)
3 Regimental police
1 General dutyman (lance-corporal)
2 General dutymen


1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/205/1 - Special Training Centre Holding Units (Six), 19.05.1941
For
Commandant (captain or major)
substitute
Commandant (major)


2. VIII/205/2 - Special Training Schools, No. 41 to 46, 05.12.1941 - 04.02.1944
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant and chief instructor (major)
1 Adjutant and quartermaster (subaltern)
2 Instructors (lieutenants)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor A.P.T.C. (serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor (serjeant)***
2 Assistant instructors (corporals)***
2 Clerks
2 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess (corporal)
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for Officers' mess
1 Orderly for Serjeants' mess
3 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Regimental police (corporal)
6 Regimental police
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Storeman
6 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
4 Total, officers
3 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
4 Total, corporals
29 Total, privates (a)
36 Total, other ranks
40 Total, special training schools, Nos. 41 to 47

(a) In privates included:
1 Corporal
2 Lance-corporals

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled

Note:
Additions to this establishment are authorised as below for each increase of 50 above 95 (students):
1 Cook (rank and file mess)
1 Orderly (rank and file mess)
3 Regimental police
1 General dutyman (lance-corporal)
2 General dutymen

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/205/1 in War Establishments, Vol-ume VIII.


2a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/205/2 - Special Training Schools, No. 41 to 46*, 11.09.1942
(a) Title
amend title to read - Special Training Schools, No. 41 to 47
(Not an Army Establishment)
(b) (i) Personnel
add
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
delete
2 Assistant instructors (corporals)
add
2 Assistant instructors (serjeants)
(c) For “41 – 46” against “Total, special training schools”
substitute “41 – 47(b)”
(d) Under “(ii) Transport”
add
1 Car, 2-seater 4 x 2
(e) Under Footnotes
add
(b) With the exception of the instructors and assistant instructors personnel may be unfit for general service with fighting units.


2b Amendment No. 2 to VIII/205/2 - Special Training Schools, No. 41 to 47, 24.08.1942
Under “(i) Personnel”
after “Instructors” for “(lieutenants)”
substitute (Captains or lieutenants)


3. VIII/205/3 - Special Training Schools, No. 41 to 47, 05.02.1944 - 08.07.1945
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant and chief instructor (major)
1 Adjutant and quarter-master (captain) (if a combatant officer will be a subaltern)
2 Instructors (captains or lieutenants)
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor, R.E. (serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor, R. Signals (serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor, Infantry (weapon training) (serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor, A.P.T.C. (serjeant)
2 Clerks
2 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess (corporal)
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for Officers' mess
1 Orderly for Serjeants' mess
3 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
3 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Regimental police (corporal)
6 Regimental police
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Storeman
6 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
4 Total, officers
5 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
2 Total, corporals
30 Total, privates
37 Total, other ranks
41 Total, special training schools, Nos. 41 to 47

In privates included:
1 Corporal
2 Lance-corporals

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2

Notes:
1. Additions to this establishment are authorised as below for each increase of 50 above 95 (students):
1 Cook (for rank and file mess)
1 Orderly (for rank and file mess)
3 Regimental police
1 General dutyman (lance-corporal)
2 General dutymen

2. With the exception of the instructors and the assistant instructors, all personnel of this establishment may be of low medical category.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/205/2, being a re-write incorporating amendments 1 and 2.


Comments on VIII/205/3 and its Amendments
1. There are two different sources for War Establishment VIII/205/3.
- from the TNA WO 24-series and
- from TNA HS 8/435.

They are identical in every detail, except for the title, where S.T.S. 43 is excluded in the latter. Both documents show the same dates for promulgation (A.C.I.) and effective date. It is possible that WE VIII/205/3 was promulgated under the reduced title (without S.T.S. 43), and no amendment was necessary for that reason. The different version from the TNA WO 24-series (S.T.S. Nos. 41 - 47) might have been an early release, corrected last minute, when the printing process had already begun. The fact that the units concerned always got the latest information speaks in favour of the reduced title. There is no way to prove this, as war establishments of Volume VIII were promulgated without title for security reasons.

2. There are only two amendments listed in the A.C.Is. The TNA WO 24-series holds no amendments for VIII/205/3 at all. TNA HS 8/435 has three amendments for this issue, but the title refers exclusively to S.T.S. 47. It is assumed that the amendments concern all the remaining schools as well, as there is no evidence that the other schools (Nos. 41, 42 and 44 – 46) had been closed by any effective date mentioned in the amendments. In this case, they would have lost their authorisation.


3a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/205/3 - Special Training Schools, No. 41, 42, and 44 to 47, 03.08.1944
Under “(ii) Transport”
add
1 Lorry, 3-ton, 4 x 4, troop carrying


3b Amendment No. 2 to VIII/205/3 - Special Training Schools, No. 41, 42, and 44 to 47, 15.02.1945
Under “(i) Personnel”
delete
2 Instructors (captains or lieutenants)
add
2 Instructors (captains)
for
1 Assistant instructor, R.E. – (serjeant)
substitute
1 Assistant instructor, R.E. – (staff-serjeant)


3c Amendment No. 3 to VIII/205/3 -Special Training Schools, No. 41, 42, and 44 to 47, 01.02.1945
Under “(i) Personnel”
add
1 Assistant instructor, Infantry (weapon training) – (staff-serjeant)

--- --- ---


6.2 WE VIII/206 - Special Training Schools, Nos. 33 to 36
(originally including No. 38)
(extended to Nos. 32 to 37)****
(originally “Satellite Finishing Schools (five)”)

These are the Finishing Schools.

Schools and Houses
S.T.S. 32a: Harford House, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, 03/1941 – 06/1945

S.T.S. 32b: Saltmarsh, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, 01/1942 – 06/1945

S.T.S. 32c: Blackbridge, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, 06/1942 – 06/1945

S.T.S. 33: The House on the Shore, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, 03/1941 – 06/1945; temporarily closed 12/1944 – 01/1945

S.T.S. 34: The Drokes, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, 03/1941 – 06/1945; temporarily closed 12/1944 – 01/1945

S.T.S. 35: The Vineyards, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, 03/1941 – 06/1945

S.T.S. 36: Boarmans, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, 03/1941 – autumn 1944

S.T.S. 37a: Warren House, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, 03/1942 – autumn 1944

S.T.S. 37b: Clobb Gorse, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, 10/1942 – 06/1945

S.T.S. 38: Briggens House, near Roydon, Essex, 01/1941 – 02.04.1942


Briggens House deserves closer examination in three regards: Location, authorisation by war establishments, and the point in time when its role changed from special training school to station.

1. The Location
While all the other houses used as finishing schools were in the Beaulieu area, Briggens House was more than 100 miles away. Since it served the Polish troops for the same purpose in 1941, it was given the same war establishment but was not included in the physical proximity of the Beaulieu houses which were under control of the Training Section. It was one of several establishments that were temporarily dedicated exclusively to the Poles during the war. A similar simple solution was used for S.T.S. 26 in the Cairngorms and the Norwegians in the group of Paramilitary Schools around Arisaig (VIII/210). When these war establishment were superseded, those houses dedicated to individual Country Sections were given their own war establishments.

2. Authorisation by war establishments
In its early history as S.T.S. 38, it nearly escaped the research, as no official war establishment seemed to exist. Only the general search for some of the first issues of the S.T.S. revealed its story. Although war establishment VIII/206/1 is not available, S.T.S. 38, accommodated in Briggens House, was apparently originally included as a fifth school to the remaining S.T.Ss. 33 – 36 left over by VIII/206/2. The War Establishment Sub-Committee minutes of meeting of 04.12.1941, preparing the changes for a second issue, have two entries for that war establishment, the first, under agenda item 2(d) for “Satellite Finishing Schools” (S.T.Ss. 33 – 36), the second under 2(e) again, now for a single “Satellite Finishing School” (S.T.S. 38), with different changes. The resulting and approved new issue VIII/206/2 only shows four schools, and although the changes for S.T.S. 38 had also been approved, no new war establishment appeared for S.T.S 38. Already at this point, it seems as though it was destined for a different fate. Briggens House should serve as accommodation for Station No. 8, soon to be renamed Station No. 14, also known as the False Document Section, for the rest of the war, with a new war establishment (VIII/318) effective from 03.04.1942.

For the period between 05.12.1941 and 02.04.1942, two situations appear to be theoretically possible:

a) There was no war establishment for Briggens, under any term whatsoever. Since S.T.S. 38 was placed under the control of the Polish Country Section and the Poles already had a special role elsewhere in the system, the gap might have been closed temporarily outside the war establishment system until 03.04.1942, with VIII/318/1. In his Official History, Major Forty describes Briggens as the very first school that was used as a Polish Finishing School from January 1941 until March 1942. Apart from his difficulties in obtaining accurate information for the first two years of the training system, the authorisation of the school remains unclear already for the period between January 1941 and 26.03.1941, when the first war establishment became effective. Whatever solution had been found for this would possibly also be available for a repetition at the end of the period.

b) The fifth school was excluded from the superseding by VIII/206/2, although it bears a superseding note, to live on at VIII/206/1 (such phenomena sometimes occurred, particularly at this time), or even tacitly, without any correction, included in the new issue VIII/206/2.

3. When did the change from Special Training School to Station take place?
Various indications suggest that the transition from School to Station in real life was a smooth one, as were many changes in the early days of the S.O.E.:

In his book “The Secrets of Station 14”, based on TNA HS 7/46, Des Turner describes that 2nd Lieutenant Ince was posted on 11.11.1941 to S.O.E., ‘advised to supervise printing at Briggens, STS 38’. Then he cites Gubbins in his recommendation to promote Ince to the rank of captain from 28.01.1942, praising Ince’s work ‘at Station 38’. This indicates either the common sloppy use of terms within S.O.E. or shows already the transition of this institution, although under the former number which should be exchanged soon.

The Polish False Document Section existed already since February 1941, on a Polish initiative to get false papers, urgently needed for their agents. A portion of the cellars of the Polish Training School S.T.S. 38 at Briggens House was allocated for that purpose. With the amount of work increasing rapidly and owing to a lack of space it was impossible to expand. It was decided to move the school to Audley End, the Polish operational and despatch station. In April 1942, S.T.S. 38 moved and changed its number to S.T.S. 43, so making room for Station No. 8, with effect from 11.06.1942 renumbered to No. 14.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/206/1, 26.03.1941 – 04.12.1941, not available; reconstructed
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/206/1, 19.05.1941
2. VIII/206/2, 05.12.1941 – 29.09.1943
2a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/206/2, 03.09.1942
Successor war establishments: VIII/544/1 to VIII/549/1, one for each S.T.S.

War Establishments in Detail
1 VIII/206/1 - Satellite Finishing Schools (five) (reconstructed), 26.03.1941 - 04.12.1941
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (captain or major)
1 Adjutant and quarter-master
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Corporal
1 Clerk
1 Batman
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess (lance-corporal)
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for Officers' mess
2 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Storeman and sanitary dutyman
3 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
2 Total, officers
1 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
15 Total, rank and file (a)
16 Total, other ranks
18 Total, Satellite finishing schools (five)

(a) In rank and file included:
1 Lance-corporal

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled


1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/206/1 - Satellite Finishing Schools (five), 19.05.1941
For
Commandant (captain or major)
substitute
Commandant (major)


2. VIII/206/2 - Special Training Schools, Nos. 33 - 36, 05.12.1941 - 22.07.1942
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (captain)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Corporal
1 Clerk
1 Batman
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for Officers' mess
2 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Storeman and sanitary dutyman
3 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
1 Total, officers
1 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
15 Total, rank and file (a)
16 Total, other ranks
17 Total, special training schools, Nos. 33 - 36

(a) In rank and file included:
3 Lance-corporals

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled


2.a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/206/2 - Special Training Schools, No. 33 to 36, 03.09.1942
(a) Amend title to read
Special Training Schools, Nos. 32 to 37
(Not an Army Establishment)
(b) Under “(ii) Transport”
add
1 Car, 2-seater 4 x 2
delete
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled

---
* S.T.S. No. 47 added by Amendment No. 1 to VIII/205/2, effective 11.09.1942. War Establishment Sub-Committee (WESC) 664, 11.09.1942, discussed it under item 7 as S.T.S. No. 48. - S.T.S. No. 43 excluded by VIII/205/3, effective 05.02.1944.
** WESC, 04.12.1941 (TNA WO 24/1058)
*** One assistant instructor each for: R.E., R. Signals and Infantry (weapon training).
**** S.T.S. Nos. 32 and 37 added by Amendment No. 1 to VIII/206/2, effective 03.09.1942.

 

6.3 WE VIII/207
6.4 WE VIII/208

6.3 WE VIII/207 - Special Training School, No. 31
(originally “Central Finishing School”)

The Houses
Group Headquarters, S.T.S. 31:
The Rings, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, 01/1941 – 06/1945
The House in the Wood, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire 03/1941 – 06/1945

When the first six houses were acquired in January 1941 to accommodate the group of Finishing Schools in the Beaulieu area, The Rings was selected as headquarters, for administration purposes and staff accommodation, including all the instructors for the complete group of schools, travelling to instruct the agents accommodated in their schools; it was forbidden for students. It was soon found out, that there was not enough space for the dual role of a school, and in March 1941, The House in the Wood became a second accommodation used also as officers’ mess, complete with grand piano.

VIII/207/4 contains the small establishment of two majors and five captains, already mentioned by Major Forty. After the disbandment of Group B on 15.06.1945, they were allowed to work for another six months in London under the control of the Training Section to prepare a handbook of agent technique, and to deal with any training commitments which might arise.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/207/1, 26.03.1941 - 04.12.1941, not available; reconstructed
2. VIII/207/2, 05.12.1941 - 04.02.1944
2a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/207/2, effective 03.09.1942
2b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/207/2, effective 03.09.1942
2c - Amendment No. 3 to VIII/207/2, effective 30.09.1943
3. VIII/207/3, 05.02.1944 - 14.06.1945
3a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/207/3, 15.03.1944 (A.C.I.), not available
3b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/207/3, 07.06.1944 (A.C.I.), not available
4. VIII/207/4, 15.06.1945 - 15.01.1946 (cancelled)


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/207/1 - Central Finishing School (reconstructed),
26.03.1941 - 04.12.1941
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (lieutenant-colonel)
1 Second-in-command (major)
1 Adjutant and quarter-master (major or captain)
12 Instructors (captains or subalterns)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Serjeant, R. Signals
1 Clerk (corporal)
2 Clerks
6 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess (corporal)
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for Officers' mess (corporal)
1 Orderly for Officers' mess
3 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C. (corporal)
3 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Storeman
4 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
15 Total, officers
2 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
29 Total, rank and file
31 Total, other ranks
46 Total, central finishing school

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle
3 Cars, 4-seater, 4-wheeled
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled


2. VIII/207/2 - Special Training School, No. 31,
05.12.1941 - 04.02.1944
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (lieutenant-colonel)
1 Second-in-command (major)
1 Administrative officer (captain)
2 Instructors (majors)
8 Instructors (captains)
4 Instructors (lieutenants)
1 Liaison officer (captain)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Serjeant, R. Signals
1 Clerk (corporal)
2 Clerks
6 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess (corporal)
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for Officers' mess (corporal)
1 Orderly for Officers' mess
3 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C. (corporal)
3 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Storeman
4 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
18 Total, officers
2 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
29 Total, rank and file (a)
31 Total, other ranks
49 Total, special training school, No. 31

(a) In rank and file included:
1 Lance-corporal

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle
3 Cars, 4-seater, 4-wheeled
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/207/1 in War Establishments, Volume VIII.


2.a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/207/2 - Special Training School, No. 31, 03.09.1942
(a) Under Title
add (Not an Army Establishment)
(b) Under “(i) Personnel”
add
6 Instructors (captains or lieutenants)
1 Instructor, A.P.T.C. (serjeant)
1 Duty serjeant
6 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
2 General dutymen
(c) Under “(ii) Transport”
add
2 Cars, 4-seater 4 x 2
2 Cars, 2-seater 4 x 2
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., G.S., 4 x 2


2.b Amendment No. 2 to VIII/207/2 - Special Training School, No. 31, 03.09.1942
Under “(i) Personnel”
add
2 Batmen
delete
1 Serjeant, R. Signals


2.c Amendment No. 3 to VIII/207/2 - Special Training School, No. 31, 30.09.1943
Under “(i) Personnel”
add
1 Driver-mechanic


3. VIII/207/3 - Special Training School, No. 31,
05.02.1944 – 14.06.1945
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (lieutenant-colonel)
1 Second-in-command (major)
1 Administrative officer (captain)
2 Instructors (majors)
8 Instructors (captains)
6 Instructors (captains or subalterns)
4 Instructors (lieutenants)
1 Liaison officer (captain)
1 Instructor, A.P.T.C. (staff-serjeant)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Serjeant, R. Signals
1 Clerk (corporal)
2 Clerks
8 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess (corporal)
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for Officers' mess (corporal)
1 Orderly for Officers' mess
3 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C. (corporal)
9 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Driver-mechanic
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Storeman
6 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
24 Total, officers
3 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
40 Total, rank and file (a)
43 Total, other ranks
67 Total, special training school, No. 31

(a) In rank and file included:
1 Lance-corporal

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
2 Cars, 2-seater, 4 x 2
5 Cars, 4-seater, 4 x 2
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/207/2, being a rewrite incorporating amendments 1 to 3.


4. VIII/207/4 - Special Training School, No. 31,
15.06.1945 - 15.01.1946
Personnel
2 Instructors (majors)
5 Instructors (captains)
7 Total, special training school, No. 31
This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/207/3.


--- --- ---


6.4 WE VIII/208 - Special Training Schools Nos. 1 to 6
(originally “Depot, I.S.R.B. (six)”)

These are the Preliminary Schools.

Schools and Houses
S.T.S. 1: Brockhall, Flore, Northamptonshire 12/1940 – 02/1944
S.T.S. 2: Bellasis, Box Hill Road, Dorking, Surrey, 02/1941 – 06/1945
S.T.S. 3: Stodham Park, Liss, near Petersfield, Hampshire, 02/1941 – 06/1945
S.T.S. 4: Winterfold, Cranleigh, Surrey, 01/1941 – 22.07.1942
S.T.S. 5: Wanborough Manor, Puttenham, Guildford, Surrey, 01/1941 – 06/1945
S.T.S. 6: West Court, Finchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire, 01/1941 – 06/1945

There is evidence that the training began even before the war establishments became effective. Brockhall was the first house in this group that was requisitioned for S.O.E. already on 14.12.1940. Anders Lassen, VC, took part in a preliminary course training at S.T.S. 1 in Brockhall from 11.01 – 27.01.1941, together with 14 other Danish agents. The account suggests that this was not the very first course.

Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/208/1, 26.03.1941 - 04.12.1941, not available; reconstructed
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/208/1, 19.05.1941
2. VIII/208/2, 05.12.1941 - 29.02.1944 (cancelled)
2a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/208/2, effective 11.09.1942
2b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/208/2, effective 24.08.1942
Successor war establishments:
A For S.T.S. 4, being renamed in the process to S.T.S. 7, already with effect from 23.07.1942: VIII/355
B S.T.S. 1 ended formally with VIII/208/2, effective 29.02.1944, because the successor VIII/650/1 excluded it.


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/208/1 - Depot, I.S.R.B. (six) (reconstructed),
26.03.1941 - 04.12.1941
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant and chief instructor (captain or major)
1 Adjutant and quartermaster (subaltern)
1 Instructor (lieutenant)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor (serjeant)*
2 Assistant instructors (corporals)*
1 Assistant instructor, A.P.T.C. (serjeant)
2 Clerks
1 Batman
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess (corporal)
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for Officers' mess
1 Orderly for Serjeants’ mess
3 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Regimental police (corporal)
6 Regimental police
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Storeman
6 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
3 Total, officers
3 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
4 Total, corporals
27 Total, privates
34 Total, other ranks
37 Total, special training schools, Nos. 1 to 6

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled


1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/208/1 - Depot, I.S.R.B. (six), 19.05.1941
For
Commandant (captain or major)
substitute
Commandant (major)


2. VIII/208/2 - Special Training Schools, Nos. 1 to 6,
05.12.1941 - 29.02.1944
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant and chief instructor (major)
1 Adjutant and quartermaster (subaltern)
1 Instructor (lieutenant)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor (serjeant)*
2 Assistant instructors (corporals)*
1 Assistant instructor, A.P.T.C. (serjeant)
2 Clerks
1 Batman
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Serjeants’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess (corporal)
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for Officers' mess
1 Orderly for Serjeants’ mess
3 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Regimental police (corporal)
6 Regimental police
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Storeman
6 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
3 Total, officers
3 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
4 Total, corporals
28 Total, privates (a)
35 Total, other ranks
38 Total, special training schools, Nos. 1 to 6

(a) In privates included:
1 Corporal
2 Lance-corporals

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/208/1 in War Establishments, Volume VIII.


2a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/208/2 - Special Training Schools, No. 1 to 6, 11.09.1942
(a) Title
add (Not an Army Establishment)
(b) Under “(i) Personnel”
add
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
delete
2 Assistant Instructors (corporals)
add
2 Assistant Instructors (serjeants)
against “Total, Special Training schools 1 – 6”
Insert (b)
(c) Under “(ii) Transport”
add
1 Car, 2-seater 4 x 2
Under footnotes
Add (b) With the exception of the Instructors and assistant instructors personnel may be unfit for general service with fighting units.


2b Amendment No. 2 to VIII/208/2 - Special Training Schools, No. 1 to 6, 24.08.1942
(b) Under “(i) Personnel”
for
1 Instructor (lieutenant)
substitute
1 Instructor (captain or lieutenant)


---
* One assistant instructor each for: R.E. and Infantry (signalling) and Infantry (weapon training).

 

6.5 WE VIII/209
6.6 WE VIII/210
6.7 WE VIII/228

6.5 WE VIII/209 - Special Training School, No. 21
(originally “H.Q. Para-military* School”)

The House
Arisaig House, Arisaig, Inverness-shire, also headquarters of the Arisaig area group of para-military schools, 12/1940 – 11/1944.

Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/209/1, 26.03.1941 (A.C.I.) - 04.12.1941, not available; reconstructed
2. VIII/209/2, 05.12.1941 - 22.07.1942, superseded by VIII/357/1
Successor war establishments: VIII/357/1 with 1 amendment and VIII/550/1.


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/209/1 - H.Q. Para-military School (reconstructed),
26.03.1941 - 04.12.1941
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (lieutenant-colonel)
1 Chief instructor (major)
3 Instructors (captains)
1 Medical officer, R.A.M.C.
1 Regimental quartermaster-serjeant (warrant officer, class II)
1 Assistant instructor R.E. (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor R. Signals (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor Infantry (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor A.P.T.C. (staff-serjeant)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Duty serjeant
1 Fitter, M.V., R.A.S.C. (serjeant)
2 Clerks
1 Clerk, shorthand-typist, may be A.T.S.
3 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess (serjeant)
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
2 Orderlies for Officers' mess
1 Orderly for Serjeants' mess
3 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C. (corporal)
3 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Medical orderly, R.A.M.C.
2 Motor-cyclist orderlies
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Regimental police (corporal)
6 Regimental police
1 Storeman
11 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
1 Butcher
6 Total, officers
1 Total, warrant officers
8 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
2 Total, corporals
41 Total, privates
52 Total, other ranks
58 Total, H.Q. preliminary school

(ii) Transport
6 Motor-cycles
5 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled
2 Vans


2. VIII/209/2 - Special Training School, No. 21,
05.12.1941 - 22.07.1942
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (lieutenant-colonel)
1 Chief instructor (major)
3 Instructors (captains)
1 Administrative officer (captain)
1 Medical officer, R.A.M.C.
1 Regimental quartermaster-serjeant (warrant officer, class II)
1 Assistant instructor R.E. (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor R. Signals (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor Infantry (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor A.P.T.C. (staff-serjeant)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant
1 Duty serjeant
1 Fitter, M.V., R.A.S.C. (serjeant)
3 Clerks (includes 1 shorthand-typist)
3 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Serjeants' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess (serjeant)
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
2 Orderlies for Officers' mess
1 Orderly for Serjeants' mess
3 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C. (corporal)
3 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Medical orderly, R.A.M.C.
2 Motor-cyclist orderlies
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Regimental police (corporal)
6 Regimental police
1 Storeman
11 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
1 Butcher
7 Total, officers
1 Total, warrant officers
8 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
44 Total, rank and file
53 Total, other ranks
60 Total, special training school, No. 21

In privates included:
1 Corporal
3 Lance-corporals

(ii) Transport
6 Motor-cycles
5 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled
2 Vans


--- --- ---


6.6 WE VIII/210 - Special Training Schools, Nos. 22 – 26
(originally “Para-military** School (six)”)

These are the Para-military Schools.

S.T.S. 26 did not belong to the Arisaig group of schools, but it was used for the same para-military training. It was located 100 miles away, in the Cairngorms, and it was not under control of the Training Section. Instead, it was controlled by the Norwegian Country Section (SN). When war establishment VIII/210/2 was superseded, S.T.S. 26 was given its own war establishment.

Schools and Houses
S.T.S. 22: Rhubana Lodge, Morar, Inverness-shire, 01/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 22a: Glasnacardoch, Mallaig, Inverness-shire, 09/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 23: Meoble Lodge, Morar, Inverness-shire, 01/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 23b: Swordland, Tarbet Bay, Morar, Inverness-shire, 03/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 24a: Inverie House, Knoydart, Mallaig, Inverness-shire, 01/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 24b: Glaschoille, Knoydart, Mallaig, Inverness-shire, 11/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 25a: Garramor House, Morar, Inverness-shire, 02/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 25b: Camusdarach Lodge, Morar, Inverness-shire, 01/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 25c: Traigh House, Morar, Inverness-shire, 06/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 26a: Drumintoul Lodge, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, 11/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 26b: Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, 11/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 26c: Forest Lodge, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, 11/1941 – 10/1944


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/210/1, 26.03.1941 - 04.12.1941, not available; reconstructed
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/210/1, 19.05.1941
2. VIII/210/2, 05.12.1941 - 22.07.1942
2a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/210/2, 13.08.1942
Successor war establishments:
A For S.T.S. 21 to 25: superseded by VIII/357/1 and VIII/550/1 to VIII/554/1
B For S.T.S. 26: superseded three weeks later by VIII/362/1, with effect from 13.08.1942.


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/210/1 - Para-military School (six) (reconstructed),
26.03.1940 - 04.12.1941
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant and chief instructor (major)
1 Adjutant and quartermaster (subaltern)
1 Instructor (lieutenant)
1 Assistant instructor (serjeant)***
2 Assistant instructors (corporals)***
1 Assistant instructor A.P.T.C. (serjeant)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant
2 Clerks
1 Batman
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Serjeants' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess (corporal)
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for Officers' mess
1 Orderly for Serjeants' mess
2 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Regimental police (corporal)
6 Regimental police
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Storeman
6 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
3 Total, officers
3 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
4 Total, corporals
28 Total, privates
35 Total, other ranks
38 Total, preliminary school (six)

(no transport)


1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/210/1 - Para-military School (six), 19.05.1941
For
Commandant (captain or major)
substitute
Commandant (major)


2. VIII/210/2 - Special Training Schools, Nos. 21 - 26,
05.12.1941 - 22.07.1942
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant and chief instructor (major)
1 Adjutant and quartermaster (subaltern)
1 Instructor (lieutenant)
1 Assistant instructor (serjeant)***
2 Assistant instructors (corporals)***
1 Assistant instructor A.P.T.C. (serjeant)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant
2 Clerks
1 Batman
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Serjeants' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess (corporal)
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for Officers' mess
1 Orderly for Serjeants' mess
2 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Regimental police (corporal)
6 Regimental police
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Storeman
6 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
3 Total, officers
3 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
4 Total, corporals
28 Total, privates (a)
35 Total, other ranks
38 Total, special training schools, Nos. 21 - 26

(a) In privates included:
1 Corporal
2 Lance-corporals

(no transport)

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/210/1 in War Establishments, Volume VIII.


2a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/210/2 - Special Training Schools, No. 22 to 26, 13.08.1942
Delete all reference to “Special training schools Nos. 22 – 26”
and insert “Special training schools Nos. 22 – 25”
add after title (Not an Army Establishment)


This amendment was unnecessary. It was induced by the fact that from this date S.T.S. 26 was governed by war establishment VIII/362/1. The administrators of the war establishments had overlooked the fact that the schools Nos. 22 to 25 had already been regulated by war establishment VIII/357/1 since 23.07.1942 and that VIII/210/2 had now become “hollow”, no longer regulating anything.


--- --- ---


WE VIII/228 - Special Training School, No. 103 (Camp “X”)
(originally “207 Military Mission”)

S.T.S. 103 was located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario between Whitby and Oshawa in Ontario, Canada. It was also known as Camp “X”. Unlike the schools in Great Britain, it was not accommodated in existing buildings, but in a specially constructed camp, in an area chosen for its suitability. It was the only overseas special training school whose training activities were under control of the Director of Training in Great Britain, who also appointed the Commandant and the Instructional Staff. The administrative staff and transport were supplied by the Canadian Army.

The first course started on 06.12.1941, when VIII/228/2 became effective. This may explain the different title of VIII/228/1, as it took some time to set up the school, and during this period the connection with Canada and the negotiations with them were more prominent to the planners than the training of agents.

The letter of M.O.1., Ext: 96, on 207 Military Mission, dated 30.10.1941**** shows the agreement regarding the allocation of personnel according to their origin:
[…] ‘The staff is to consist of Officers and N.C.Os. from this country with the possible exception of the Adjutant-Quartermaster who may be a Canadian. Canadian Military Headquarters have, we understand, agreed to provide the personnel for the administrative side.’


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/228/1, 26.05.1941 - 04.12.1941, not available, reconstructed
2. VIII/228/2, 05.12.1941 - 10.05.1944 (cancelled)


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/228/1 - 207 Military Mission (reconstructed),
26.05.1941 - 04.12.1941
Personnel
1 Commandant and chief instructor (lieutenant-colonel)
1 Instructor (captain)
1 Instructor (lieutenant)
2 Assistant instructors (corporals)
1 Assistant instructor (corporal)
3 Total, officers
3 Total, other ranks
6 Total, 207 Military Mission

(no transport)


2. VIII/228/2 - Special Training School, No. 103,
05.12.1941 - 10.05.1944
Personnel
1 Commandant and chief instructor (lieutenant-colonel)
1 Second-in-command (major)
4 Instructors (captains)
1 Assistant instructor, A.P.T.C. and company serjeant-major (warrant officer, class II)
1 Assistant instructor, Infantry (serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor, R. Signals (serjeant)
2 Assistant instructors, R. Signals, operators wireless and line (corporals)
1 Assistant instructor, R. Signals, instrument mechanic (corporal)
6 Total, officers
6 Total, other ranks
12 Total, special training school, No. 103

(no transport)

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/228/1 in War Establishments, Volume VIII.


---
* In the original “Preliminary” (sic!) – From the context and terms used elsewhere, this should read “Para-military” instead. Probably an administrative error on the part of the War Establishment Sub-Committee due to the general secrecy of S.O.E. and I.S.R.B. subjects; the was another administrative error in the first amendment to the schools. The War Establishment Committee, deciding four days later, avoids the term and quotes the school under the headline “I.R.R.B. Schools”(sic!).
** In the original “Preliminary” (sic!) – From the context and terms used elsewhere, that should read “Para-military” instead. Probably an administrative error on the part of the War Establishment Sub-Committee.
*** One assistant instructor each for: R.E. and Infantry (signalling) and Infantry (weapon training).
**** WO 193/631: 207 Military Mission Special Training School, Canada

 

6.8 WE VIII/240
6.9 WE VIII/244

6.8 WE VIII/240 - Special Training School No. 51

Schools and Houses
The S.O.E.’s parachute training was carried out by the R.A.F. Parachute Training Squadron, later known under several names as Central Landing School, No. 1 Parachute Training School, Central Landing Establishment, Airborne Forces Establishment and Airborne Transport Development Centre, and, perhaps due to the many names, best known as R.A.F. Ringway, Manchester.

S.T.S. 51 was S.O.E.’s ground training school. Several houses, lying a few miles from R.A.F. Ringway, were requisitioned to accommodate the students and to allow for accompanying training. In 1945, the small York House was acquisitioned to make sure that the German agents of the Periwig Bonzo scheme could be segregated, even from the German agents of the Bonzo scheme. All training ceased on 01.07.1945.

S.T.S. 51a: Dunham House, Charcoal Lane, Dunham Massey, Altrincham, Cheshire, 03/1941 – 07/1945

S.T.S. 51b: Fulshaw Hall, Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Manchester, 03/1941 – 07/1945

S.T.S. 51c: York House, Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire, 03/1945 – 06/1945

For this school, an early authorisation could be reconstructed, effective before the first war establishment. This reveals an interesting aspect. Under agenda item No. 26, the following amendments were recorded as approved (with effect from 18.07.1941): For “Special Training School, No. 51” to an otherwise unspecified document, nine soldiers were added and two upgraded (addition of an administrative officer and 2nd-in-command, a corporal, a duty serjeant and 7 Regimental Police and an instructor upgraded from lieutenant to captain as well as a deleted serjeant, R.E.). This amendment resulted in VIII/240/1, the very first war establishment for this school, effective from 17.07.1941. The “amendments” are made to an unknown document with a total strength of already 39 soldiers. The beginning of the effective period of this document is unknown.


Summary of War Establishments
0. War Office letter, mid-March 1941 – 16.07.1941, reconstructed*
1. VIII/240/1, 17.07.1941 - 19.10.1942
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/240/1, 04.03.1942
1b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/240/1, 11.06.1942
2. VIII/240/2, 20.10.1942 - 22.08.1945 (cancelled)
2a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/240/2, 26.01.1944, not available
2b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/240/2, 28.02.1945, not available
2c - Amendment No. 3 to VIII/240/2, 01.08.1945, not available


War Establishments in Detail
0. Unknown early authorisation for Special Training School, No. 51, reconstructed*
from about mid-March 1941 – 16.07.1941
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (major)
2 Instructors (lieutenants)
1 Adjutant and quartermaster (lieutenant)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Serjeant, R.E.
2 Assistant instructors (corporals)
2 Clerks
2 Batmen
5 Mess servants
2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor cycle orderly
1 Regimental police (corporal)
5 Regimental police
1 General dutyman for sanitary duties
1 General dutyman (storeman)
6 General dutymen
4 Total, officers
2 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
28 Total, rank and file
30 Total, other ranks
34 Total, all ranks (excluding attached)

Attached
1 Instructor, A.P.T.C. (serjeant)
4 Cooks, A.C.C.
39 Total, special training school, No. 51 (including attached)

(ii) Transport
1 Motor cycle
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled


1. VIII/240/1 - Special Training School, No. 51,
17.07.1941 – 19.10.1942
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (major)
1 Second-in-command and administrative officer (captain)
1 Instructor (captain)
1 Instructor (lieutenant)
1 Adjutant and quartermaster (lieutenant)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Duty serjeant
2 Assistant instructors (corporals)
2 Clerks
2 Batmen
5 Mess servants
2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor cycle orderly
2 Regimental police (corporal)
12 Regimental police
1 General dutyman for sanitary duties
1 General dutyman (storeman)
6 General dutymen
5 Total, officers
2 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
36 Total, rank and file
38 Total, other ranks
43 Total, all ranks (excluding attached)

Attached
1 Instructor, A.P.T.C. (serjeant)
4 Cooks, A.C.C.
48 Total, special training school, No. 51 (including attached)

(ii) Transport
1 Motor cycle
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled


1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/240/1 - Special Training School, No. 51, 04.03.1942
After Title add (Not an Army Establishment)
Add
1 Instructor (lieutenant)
1 Instructor, A.P.T.C. (serjeant)
2 Medical orderlies (privates)
Upgrade
1 Cook, A.C.C., from private to corporal
Against Total, rank and file insert footnote
(a) Includes 1 corporal and 2 lance-corporals


1b Amendment No. 2 to VIII/240/1 - Special Training School, No. 51, 11.06.1942
Delete
2 Medical orderlies (privates)
Under “Attached”
add
2 Nursing orderlies, R.A.M.C. (privates)


2. VIII/240/2 - Special Training School, No. 51,
20.10.1942 – 22.08.1945
Column 1: S.T.S. 51a
Column 2: S.T.S. 51b
Column 3: Total, S.T.S. 51
(i) Personnel
1 - 0 - 1 Commandant (major)
1 - 1 - 2 Instructors (captain)
1 - 0 - 1 Instructor (lieutenant)
1 - 1 - 2 Administrative officers (subalterns)
1 - 0 - 1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
0 - 1 - 1 Duty serjeant
2 - 2 - 4 Assistant instructors (corporals)
1 - 0 - 1 Clerks, R.A.S.C. (corporal)
2 - 1 - 3 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
3 - 2 - 5 Batmen (includes 3 for student officers)
1 - 0 - 1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C. (lance-corporal)
3 - 4 - 7 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 - 0 - 1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 - 1 - 2 Sanitary dutyman
1 - 1 - 2 Storemen
2 - 2 - 4 General dutymen
1 - 0 - 1 Regimental police (corporal)
0 - 1 - 1 Regimental police (lance-corporal)
6 - 4 - 10 Regimental police
3 - 2 - 5 Mess orderlies for Officers’ mess
1 - 1 - 2 Mess orderlies for Students’ messes
1 - 1 - 2 Mess orderlies for Other ranks mess
4 - 2 - 6 Total, officers
1 - 1 - 2 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
29 - 22 - 51 Total, rank and file
30 - 23 - 53 Total, other ranks
34 - 25 - 59 Total, all ranks (excluding attached)

Attached
1 - 1 - 2 Instructor, A.P.T.C. (serjeants)
1 - 1 - 2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Officers’ mess
2 - 1 - 3 Cooks, A.C.C., for Students’ and Rank and file messes
1 - 1 - 2 Nursing orderlies, R.A.M.C.
5 - 4 - 9 Total, attached
39 - 29 - 68 Total, special training school, No. 51 (including attached)

(ii) Transport
2 - 0 - 2 Motor-cycles, solo
1 - 2 - 3 Cars, 2-seater, 4 x 2
2 - 1 - 3 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/240/1.


--- --- ---


6.9 WE VIII/244 - I.S.R.B. Workshop (“The Cooler”)
The unit under the cover name “Workshop” was known internally as “The Cooler”. It was located at Inverlair Lodge, Tulloch, Inverness-shire, outside the Protected Area.

Despite the title, which was a cover name in two respects, Inter-Services Research Bureau being a cover name for S.O.E., this “Workshop” was organised as a school. According to the History of the Security Section,** it was
‘[…] intended for the housing and employment of alien personnel who, for security reasons, had to be removed from the Training Courses, but who, on account of the knowledge which they had gained, had to live in retirement for some time. The Cooler was in no sense a punishment or detention camp, nor again, in the words of his founder, was it “designed to meet cases where individuals had knowingly endangered the safety of the State or of the organisation as proceedings against such individuals could be taken under the Army Act, Official Secrets Act and Defence Regulations”.’***

S.O.E.’s policy of segregating agents for various reasons prevented them from being assigned to their respective Country Sections or dismissed, which led to the early establishment of this institution. The records show that in all 82 men were sent to the Cooler in four years. Of these, two were held on behalf of S.I.S. and one other was sent there twice. The net figure for S.O.E. bodies is, therefore, 79.

Its first commandant, Aonghais Adamson Fyffe, was the officer commanding of a fourth Field Security Section, that had been attached to S.O.E. in September 1941.**** He claimed that when he took over “The Cooler” on 22.09.1941 it was under the title “No. 6 Special Workshop School”, a term typical for S.O.E. In his eyes, the alias was much more suspicious than the name of the house, given the conditions of the sparsely populated region. When he reported to S.O.E. that the official name aroused curiosity and questions and suggested dropping it in favour of “Inverlair”, by which it was known in this area, this was accepted without objection.***** After he left on 27.02.1944 he supposed that the school was closed immediately; after all, he had been told that he was being posted to London Headquarters because the cooler had fulfilled its function. A location list dated 04.03.1944 identifies Major S.L. Darby as commandant.****** When Aonghais Adamson Fyffe visited the Cooler again at the end of July 1944, however, it was closed and there was no longer any evidence of military use. His successor may have had no other task than to cover up these traces. However, it should be noted that the Properties Section states the closure date as 28.06.1945.

The war establishment was effective until 01.07.1945. There are several examples of war establishments that have been forgotten in the administrative process; in these cases, they were cancelled once the error was discovered. On the other hand, it is theoretically conceivable that the lost amendment would have significantly changed the character or size of the unit or transformed it into something with a different content and purpose, and in another place.

Instead of keeping the agents busy with pointless tasks, Fyffe managed to generate benefits from the facility. Thanks to a favourable regional situation, which offered a great deal of abandoned scrap metal, and the fortunate coincidence that one of the three Italians assigned to him as staff proved to be a gifted craftsman, a foundry was opened where a forge was operated with a bellows made from old car tyres. Particularly for S.T.S. 26, for which the commandant was also responsible for security and safety reasons, a great deal of special equipment for operations in Norway could be manufactured. On another occasion, in 1943, Captain Sykes from A Group, the famous shot and co-inventor of the Fairbairn-Sykes Knife, asked if they could fabricate a steel bow, made in two halves which could be hidden on the person, firing arrows with accuracy up to 80 yards. Although they succeeded, it was turned down by S.O.E. officials, due to overlong training requirements. The bow found its way to the commandos, who allegedly made good use of it. He succeeded to open a cobbler's workshop, that carried out any boot repairs of their own unit and of the schools of Group A. Boot repair was always in high demand in the army, and those who knew the job received additional pay. When one of their trucks had an accident in which the front axle was bent, they managed to straighten it precisely in the foundry. In these ways, “The Cooler” was able to transform its intended passive role into an active one, living up to its original name as a workshop.***** An interesting side note is that electric lighting could not be installed until 1943.

In the summer of 1943, Aonghais Adamson Fyffe was asked to undertake a concentrated assault course and small arms training of personnel from the four Field Security Sections attached to Section D/CE at S.O.E.’s London Headquarters. It was combined with training in fieldcraft, mountaineering, night exercises and motorcycling roughriding, culminating in a night exercise. The school succeeded in installing a scenery with moving targets, to the opinion of its commandant perhaps the only such true-to-life installation at that time. The courses lasted from the beginning of August to the end of 1943. In this way, “The Workshop School” was finally able to live up to its cover name, ‘school’.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/244/1, 31.07.1941 - 01.07.1945 (cancelled)
1.a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/244/1, 24.05.1944, not available


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/244/1 - I.S.R.B. Workshop,
31.07.1941 - 01.07.1945
(i) Personnel
1 Chief-instructor (captain)
1 Assistant instructor (lieutenant) (sic! – should be Assistant chief instructor)
3 Instructors (serjeants)
1 Duty serjeant
2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
2 Storemen
1 Cook
1 Clerk
4 Regimental police
1 Sanitary duties
2 Total, officers
4 Total, serjeants
11 Total, rank and file (a)
15 Total, other ranks
17 Total, I.S.R.B. Workshop

(ii) Transport
1 Car, 2-seater, 4-wheeled
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled

(a) In rank and file included:
1 Corporal
1 Lance-corporal

Note:
Personnel of this war establishment may be of low medical category unfit for general service with fighting units.


---
* WESC 423/26 dated 17.07.1941 (TNA WO 24/1057)
** TNA HS 7/31, History of the Security Section
*** From a description of the “Security Section as at 20.11.1941, prepared by DC/E.1.
**** TNA HS 7/31, History of the Security Section, page 3.
***** Major Aonghais Adamson Fyffe: The Protected Area of Western Scotland and its Military Occupation from 1940 in David Harrison: Special Operations Executive - Paramilitary Training in Scotland, 1940 - 1944, p. 31 and 33
****** TNA HS 8/969

 

6.10 WE VIII/245 - Special Training School No. 52

The Houses
S.T.S. 52: Grendon Hall, Grendon Underwood, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, summer 1941 – 11/1941* and 03/1943 – 07/1945

S.T.S. 52: Thame Park, Thame, Oxfordshire, 12/1941 – 12/1944

From 23.11.1942, the officer commanding Station 53 at Grendon Hall was also in command of S.T.S. 52 and S.T.S. 54. Courses were also given at the Station; this explains the use of two houses at a time under the same number for the period 03/1943 – 07/1945.

By the end of 1944, all signals training was centralised at the Station at Grendon Hall. taking over S.T.S. 52 and S.T.S. 54; their houses, Thame Park and Fawley House, were closed.

VIII/245/4 superseded not only VIII/245/3, but also VIII/349/2 – Special Training School No. 54. It is therefore possible that at least parts of the training with parts of the personnel were taken over by S.T.S. 52. D/Fin.2 Section reported 07.07.1945 as the date of closure. Since VIII/245/4 was cancelled late, promulgated on 05.06.1946 with effect from 07.07.1946, and the end dates differ by exactly one year, it is conceivable that there is an error here, which in case of doubt would be attributable to the administration of the war establishments.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/245/1, 31.07.1941 - 21.01.1942, not available; reconstructed
2. VIII/245/2, 22.01.1942 - 29.09.1943
2a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/245/2, 11.06.1942
3. VIII/245/3, 30.09.1943 - 17.01.1945
4. VIII/245/4, 18.01.1945 - 07.07.1946 (cancelled)


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/245/1 - Special Training School No. 52 (reconstructed)**,
31.07.1941 – 21.01.1942
Personnel
1 Chief instructor (major)
2 Instructors, R. Signals (lieutenants)
1 Adjutant and Quartermaster (lieutenant)
4 (Total, officers)
R. Signals
1 Assistant instructor, company quarter-master-serjeant (staff serjeant)
5 Assistant instructors, serjeants
2 Assistant instructors, operators wireless and line, corporals
1 Assistant instructor, storeman, corporal
1 Assistant instructor, storeman
1 Assistant instructor, signalman
Miscellaneous
2 Batmen
1 Orderlies for Officers’ mess
1 Orderly for Serjeants’ mess
3 Orderly for Rank and file mess
1 Motor-cycle orderly
1 Regimental police, corporal
6 Regimental police
1 Sanitary duties
2 General dutymen
1 Storeman
R.A.S.C.
2 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
6 (Total, staff serjeants and serjeants)
4 (Total, corporals)
24 (Total, privates)
34 (Total, other ranks)
38 Total, all ranks

Attached
1 Instructor, A.P.T.C., serjeant
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Serjeants’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., corporal, for Rank and file mess
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
4 (Total, officers, including attached)
7 (Total, staff serjeants and serjeants, including attached)
5 (Total, corporals, including attached)
28 (Total, privates, including attached) (a)
40 (Total, other ranks, including attached)
44 Total, special training school No. 52 (including attached)

Transport
1 Motor cycle
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled

(a) Includes 1 corporal


2. VIII/245/2 - Special Training School No. 52,
22.01.1942 – 29.09.1943
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Chief instructor (major)
1 Administrative officer (captain)
1 Instructor, R. Signals (captain)
2 Instructors, R. Signals (lieutenants)
1 Instructor, R. Signals (subaltern)
6 (Total, officers)
R. Signals
1 Assistant instructor, company quarter-master-serjeant (staff serjeant)
11 Assistant instructors, serjeants
16 Assistant instructors, operators wireless and line, corporals (a)
1 Assistant instructor, instrument mechanic, corporal
1 Assistant instructor, storeman, corporal
1 Assistant instructor, storeman
1 Assistant instructor, electrician, signalman
Miscellaneous
1 company quarter-master-serjeant (staff serjeant)
3 Batmen
2 Orderlies for Officers’ mess
1 Orderly for Serjeants’ mess
2 Orderlies for Students’ mess
1 Orderly for Rank and file mess
1 Motor-cycle orderly
1 Regimental police, Corporal
6 Regimental police
1 Sanitary duties
4 General dutymen
1 Storeman
R.A.S.C.
2 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
13 (Total, staff serjeants and serjeants)
19 (Total, corporals)
28 (Total, privates)
60 (Total, other ranks)
66 Total, all ranks

Attached
1 Instructor, A.P.T.C., serjeant
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Serjeants’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Students’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
6 (Total, officers, including attached)
14 (Total, staff serjeants and serjeants, including attached)
19 (Total, corporals, including attached)
32 (Total, privates, including attached) (b)
65 (Total, other ranks, including attached)
71 Total, special training school No. 52 (including attached)

(ii) Transport
1 Motor cycle
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4-wheeled

(a) Includes 4 lance-serjeants
(b) Includes 2 corporals and 2 lance-corporals

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/245/1 in war establishments, volume VIII.


2a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/245/2 - Special Training School, No. 52, 11.06.1942
(Not an Army Establishment)
Under “Personnel”
add
3 Regimental police (privates)
2 General dutymen, corporals
3 General dutymen, privates
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C., private
69 (new Total, other ranks)
Attached
add
1 Cook A.C.C., corporal
6 (new Total, attached)
81 (new Total, special training school No. 52, including attached)


3. VIII/245/3 - Special Training School No. 52,
30.09.1943 – 17.01.1945
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (R. Signals) (major)
1 Administrative officer (captain)
1 Chief instructor, R. Signals (captain)
3 Instructors, R. Signals (subalterns)
6 (Total, officers)
R. Signals
1 Assistant instructor company quarter-master-serjeant, operator wireless and line (staff serjeant)
11 Assistant instructors, operators wireless and line, serjeants
16 Assistant instructors, operators wireless and line, corporals (a)
1 Assistant instructor, instrument mechanic, corporal
1 Assistant instructor, storeman, technical, corporal
1 Assistant instructor, storeman, technical
1 Assistant instructor, electrician (signals)
From any arm of the service
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff serjeant)
6 Batmen
1 Orderly for Officers’ mess
1 Orderly for Serjeants’ mess
2 Orderlies for Students’ mess
1 Orderly for Rank and file mess
1 Officers’ mess steward, serjeant
1 Serjeants’ mess caterer, serjeant
1 Motor-cycle orderly
1 Regimental police, Corporal
9 Regimental police
1 Sanitary dutyman
6 General dutymen
1 Storeman, non-technical
3 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
15 (Total, staff serjeants and serjeants)
19 (Total, corporals)
36 (Total, privates)
70 (Total, other ranks)
76 Total, all ranks

Attached
1 Instructor, A.P.T.C., serjeant
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Serjeants’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Students’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess, corporal
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
6 (Total, officers, including attached)
16 (Total, staff serjeants and serjeants, including attached)
20 (Total, corporals, including attached)
40 (Total, privates, including attached) (b)
76 (Total, other ranks, including attached)
82 Total, military (including attached)

Non-military personnel
1 Instructor
1 Administrative officer
1 Administrative assistant
8 Assistant instructors, cipher
4 Assistant instructors, operators, keyboard
16 Assistant instructors, operators, wireless and line
5 Assistant instructors, transmitter attendants
3 Clerks
3 Cooks
6 Drivers, I.C.
1 Medical orderly
3 Mess orderlies
52 Total, non-military personnel
134 Total, special training school No. 52

(ii) Transport
2 Motor-cycles, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.
3 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, fitted for wireless
2 Lorries, 3-ton., 4 x 2, G.S.

(a) Includes 4 lance-serjeants
(b) Includes 2 corporals and 3 lance-corporals in addition to the ranks specifically allotted.

Note
All personal of this establishment except instructional staff may be of low medical category.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/245/2.


4. VIII/245/4, Special Training School No. 52,
18.01.1945 – 07.07.1946
(Not an Army Establishment)
Column 1: STS 52A
Column 2: STS 52B
Column 3: Total, STS 52
(i) Personnel
R. Signals
1 - 0 - 1 Major (commandant)
0 - 1 - 1 Captain (commandant)
1 - 0 - 1 Administrative officer (captain)
3 - 0 - 3 Instructors, Captains
3 - 1 - 4 Instructors, Subalterns
8 - 2 - 10 Total, officers
Any arm
1 - 0 - 1 Company serjeant-major (warrant officer, class II)
1 - 0 - 1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff serjeant)
1 - 0 - 1 Clerk (serjeant)
1 - 0 - 1 Duty serjeant
1 - 0 - 1 Officers’ mess steward (serjeant)
1 - 0 - 1 Serjeants’ mess caterer (serjeant)
A.C.C.
1 - 0 - 1 Cook, serjeant
9 - 3 - 12 Assistant instructors, R. Signals, operators wireless and line, serjeants
2 - 0 - 2 Assistant instructors, R. Signals, instrument mechanics or electricians signals, serjeants
1 - 0 - 1 A.P.T.C. instructor (serjeant)
19 - 3 - 22 Total, warrant officers, staff-serjeants and serjeants
21 - 10 - 31 Corporals (includes 4 lance-serjeants)
65 - 6 - 71 Privates or signalmen
86 - 16 - 102 Total, rank and file
105 - 19 - 124 Total, other ranks
113 - 21 - 134 Total, special training school No. 52

Attached
Non-military
Signals section
1 - 0 - 1 Cipher instructor (subaltern)
1 - 0 - 1 Assistant instructor, operator, keyboard
2 - 4 - 6 Assistant instructors, operators wireless and line
1 - 0 - 1 Clerk
10 - 5 - 15 Transmitter attendants
6 - 2 - 8 Cipher operators
10 - 8 - 18 Operators, wireless and line
2 - 0 - 2 Operators, switchboard
3 - 0 - 3 Registry clerks
Administrative section
1 - 0 - 1 Captain
1 - 1 - 2 Subalterns
3 - 1 - 4 Clerks
0 - 3 - 3 Cooks
2 - 1 - 3 Medical orderlies
4 - 1 - 5 Drivers
14 - 7 - 21 General duties
61 - 33 - 94 Total, attached
174 - 54 - 228 Total, special training school No. 52 (including attached)

(ii) Distribution of rank and file by trades and duties
Tradesmen
14 - 8 - 22 Operators, wireless and line, R. Signals (corporals)
1 - 0 - 1 Instrument mechanic (corporal)
1 - 1 - 2 Instrument mechanics or electricians signals (corporals)
2 - 0 - 2 Instrument mechanics or electricians signals
2 - 0 - 2 Storemen, technical (corporals)
3 - 0 - 3 Clerks
1 - 0 - 1 Vehicle mechanic
0 - 1 - 1 Cook, A.C.C. (corporal)
10 - 1 - 11 Cooks, A.C.C.
34 - 11 - 45 Total, tradesmen
1 - 0 - 1 N.C.O. I.C. transport (corporal)
1 - 0 - 1 Regimental police (corporal)
8 - 0 - 8 Regimental police
2 - 0 - 2 Storemen, non-technical
7 - 1 - 8 Drivers, I.C.
2 - 0 - 2 Motor-cycle orderlies
9 - 1 - 10 Batmen
10 - 1 - 11 Mess orderlies
1 - 0 - 1 General dutyman (corporal)
11 - 2 - 13 General dutymen
52 - 5 - 57 Total, non-tradesmen
86 - 16 - 102 Total, rank and file

Under instruction
10 - 0 - 10 Officers
150 - 0 - 150 Other ranks
50 - 50 - 100 Non-military
40 - 0 - 40 Allied students
250 - 50 - 300 Total, under instruction

(iii) Transport
0 - 0 - 2 Motor-cycles, solo
0 - 0 - 3 Cars, 4 x 2, light utility
0 - 0 - 4 Cars, 4 x 2, light utility (to be fitted for wireless)
0 - 0 - 3 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.
0 - 0 - 3 Lorries, 3-ton., 4 x 2, G.S.

Note
Officers will be of a medical category lower than ‘A’ and other ranks will be of a medical category lower than ‘A.1.’, if available.

This establishment supersedes W.E. Nos. VIII/245/3 and VIII/349/2.

(War establishment VIII/349/2 had governed S.T.S. 54, another special training school used for signal training.)


---
* Mackenzie, Prof. W. J. M.: Special Operations Executive - Unpublished history, p. 1141.
** WESC 430/20 + 27, 31.01.1941 (TNA WO 24/1057)

 

6.11 WE VIII/257 - Special Training School No. 61 and Station No. 61
(originally “Operational Despatch Station, I.S.R.B.”)

This unit provided liaison with the R.A.F., which transported the agents to their missions and often back to the United Kingdom, as well as supplying them in the field. Because of these tasks, it was naturally closer to the front than the other schools, which were able to conduct their training in preparation for missions under predictable and well-organised conditions. Rapid responses to frequently changing requirements were often necessary. But the unit was different in other respects, too, and therefore some explanations are due:
- Was there really an S.T.S. or just the often-cited Station?
- Locations and houses, outstation.
- Coverage of temporary peak demand for labour and transport capacity without amendments to war establishments.

For a short time, this unit was established as “Operational Despatch Station, I.S.R.B.”, with this name being obvious because it was accommodated at Audley End where the Polish had been operating their own operational and despatch station since mid-1941. After three weeks, it was renamed “Special Training School No. 61” by Amendment No. 1 to VIII/257/1 with effect from 04.10.1941. War establishment VIII/257/2 renamed the school “Station No. 61” with effect from 12.03.1943.

“Station 61” has an own chapter in the “History of the Air Liaison Section”*, written after the war, describing its history over the entire period of its existence. As in Major Forty’s “History of the Training Section”, the situation is viewed and described from the end, with some of the facts from the early years fading into obscurity, if not unknown, due to general secrecy and personnel fluctuation. At that point, a complete reconstruction was obviously not possible. Assuming that the original name, as was often the case in the early days of S.O.E., was only a rough description of an idea and was quickly adapted, the name “Special Training School”, which was the official designation for a year and a half, appears only in a headline indicating that the Packing Station belonged to it. The school itself, let alone what was taught there, is not mentioned in the following text. The early renaming to “school” took place at precisely the same time when the above-mentioned part of the unit, officially called “Parachute and Packing Station”, was initially set up on 02.10.1941 in the stable block of Audley End House. There it took over the packing of containers that had previously been carried out at Station 17, Brickendonbury Manor.

For organisational reasons, the Polish Country Section had to move their Finishing School from Briggens House (S.T.S. 38), thereafter home of Station 14, to Audley End House, changing the number of the school to S.T.S. 43, in early April 1942. The Parachute and Packing Station of Station 61 had to move in order to make space.

The “History of Station 61” starts:
‘Station 61 was formed in October 1941. The three separate features of its activities have remained throughout its existence. to retain liaison with the Royal Air Force, to pack the containers with the stores, arms and food required for operations, and to hold agents whose operations were due. The first two features are being dealt with separately, for owing to the immense expansion of S.O.E. Operations it was decided in 1943 to separate the Liaison Staff, Packing Station, and Personnel Despatch Station, under the three officers concerned. The Commander of the Despatch station, however, retained disciplinary and administrative control over the whole of Station 61.’

The original strength in October 1941 at the stable house in Audley End is given as 10: Major Rose, commandant of the station [correctly: S.T.S., because he was commandant of the entire unit], and Captain Buckmaster, officer commanding packing station, with an establishment of 9. In April 1942, with the move to Gaynes Hall, this number rose to 15, and in September 1942 to 30. The first war establishment has a total, all ranks of 52, increased to 65 by Amendment No. 4 to VIII/257/1, when the Station moved to Gaynes Hall.

TNA HS 7/50 - Planning and supply of air dropping equipment 1941-1945 - contains a “History of the Packing Stations within S.O.E.” of seven pages, signed by a Captain Yelland, R.E., and an unsigned note titled “Packing” of 3 pages; both are undated. In an internal letter dated 08.10.1945, Major Bourne-Paterson, obviously Yelland’s superior, thanked him for his “magnificent report” and apologised to him for having to shorten it, which resulted in the note “Packing”.

Major Bourne-Paterson’s “Packing” reads:
‘The first packing station for containers was formed on 02.10.1941, a fine old English country house [Audley End House] being requisitioned for the purpose. Actual packing took place in an adjacent stable, an outhouse being used as office and stores. The total establishment was one Major, one Captain, nine Other Ranks.

In April 1942, this was vacated and a move made to “Station 61”, where the packing station remained to the end. […] Station 61 was also the place where agents for France waited before “taking off” and to it they returned after abortive sorties. Great work was done by the staff in maintaining agents’ morale during these difficult days. […] A great advantage was that it was possible to expand as commitments grew. A small hutted camp was built for the Other Ranks; heated packing sheds, offices, magazines and an unheated store-house were built and reasonable stocks of stores and containers were held. […] In the summer of 1943 it was decided that the packing station should be enlarged. Six large packing-sheds, two magazines, one assembly-shed (large enough to house two large bombers), were built and were taken into service in January 1944. […]

The total weight of stores packed, in containers only, was over 10,000 tons.’

The total for containers packed at Station 61 from 1941 to 1945 is given as 76,504.

Captain Yelland’s original “History of the Packing Stations within S.O.E.” provides interesting additional information:
‘Henlow Package packing station was situated in the heart of one of our biggest R.A.F. Stations. Extreme security was preserved in the 9’ x 8’ Office in which the packing was first carried out in 1941. Reams could be written of the grand efforts of Henlow during the four years of its existence. The expansion from 9’ x 8’ to 80,000 sq.ft. of floor area.’ […]

The last container was packed on 04.05.1945. […]

Maximum Weight of a container: 330 lbs. […]

The British flew from 7 airfields. […]’

R.A.F. Henlow in the south and Gaynes Hall in the north were about 12 miles away from R.A.F. Tempsford, roughly the same distance. No specific war establishment is known for a Package packing station at R.A.F. Henlow.

While the history of this packing station is well documented, two questions remain:
1. What did the remainder of the personnel do and where were they accommodated?
2. Why was the unit officially called Special Training School?

Where are the missing 42 soldiers, all ranks, during the packing station's accommodation at Audley End House? Had the planners asked for a lot of personnel that could only be employed in the far future? Unlikely, as the War Establishment Committee scrutinised every proposal, even those from S.O.E., as far as secrecy permitted, and reduced the requested figures wherever possible. The original request from S.O.E. had asked for 92 soldiers, all ranks, 40 more than were approved by VIII/257/1.**

Apart from packing, there were two more tasks listed for Station 61 [officially: S.T.S.] from the beginning:
- to maintain liaison with the Royal Air Force,
- to hold agents whose operations were due.

In September 1941, the “Chronological Table of Interesting Events” lists the “Operational Despatch Station” as approved by the War Office. In the same month, three topics are mentioned for the training of agents in this context:
- Organising pick-up operations (‘should be a minimum of one week’)
- Judging the suitability of weather conditions for operations (‘whether weather fit for operation or not’)
- Judging the suitability of landing grounds in enemy-occupied countries.

An internal letter*** from May 1942 lists the approved cover for S.T.S. 61 as “Army Co-operation Night Bombing School” and the location as “Gaynes Hall, near St. Neots, Hunts.” It proves the existence S.T.S. 61 under this name. This letter contained covers for further 39 special training schools and 6 stations. They corresponded, albeit somewhat vaguely, fairly accurately to reality and were intended more as a credible explanation of the “unconcealable” to be used by those in the know towards unauthorised persons than as a genuine camouflage. The term “Army Co-operation” was well-known for the work of the R.A.F. in support of the Army and fitted in well with casual observations by uninformed persons when Lysander aircraft, now used to transport agents, could be explained as artillery observers. Major Forty’s description of pick-up training tells us that this was already developed in 1941, and that it was carried out entirely by the R.A.F. at Tempsford Aerodrome, which was opened on 10.08.1941. This may be an explanation why S.T.S. 61 in support of the instructors of the R.A.F. is not mentioned in the official histories. The accommodation for this school was probably located in or around R.A.F. Tempsford, before it was moved to Gaynes Hall in 1942. This must have been taken over by S.O.E. before the Parachute and Packing Station was relocated in early April 1942, as a new packing station had to be built there beforehand. The part of the Official History of the Air Liaison Section concerning the Packing Station of S.T.S. 61 reads****:
‘Whilst packing was being done at Audley End a more suitable site was found – Gaynes Hall, St. Neots., Hunts. and a packing station was built in the grounds. It was (for 1942) big enough to meet requirements and allow for increased output without additional buildings. Heated packing sheds, offices, magazines and unheated storehouses were built and reasonable supplies of stores and containers could be held.

A small camp was built for living quarters.

Gaynes Hall itself served the dual purpose of an Officers’ Mess and also accommodated agents immediately prior to being despatched to the field.

In the summer of 1943, it was decided that the packing station should be enlarged. Some adjoining ground was taken over and on it was built six packing sheds, two magazines, one assembly shed, two container stores and a new camp to accommodate increased staff. These were taken into use in January 1944.

The last container was packed on 04.05.1945.’

The expansion of the Packing Station led to the establishment of an outstation, a term used by S.O.E. for satellites, i.e. parts of an establishment located at another place. VIII/257/3 reflects this during its effective period (20.08.1943 - 29.03.1944). Two stations existed side by side, called 61A and 61B. Station 61A denotes the main part of the unit remaining at Gaynes Hall. The satellite Station 61B was considerably smaller than the main unit, with only one officer. Where was it located?

The Official History concerning the Packing Station of S.T.S. 61 goes on:
‘At Gaynes Hall reasonable stocks could be held, until the beginning of 1943, when owing to the increased packing commitments additional storage space had to be found. This difficulty was overcome by storing ammunition and explosive with C.O.O. A.S.D. R.A.O.C. Shefford, and collecting as required.’

This refers to the Chief Ordnance Officer at the 27 Ammunition Sub-Depot at Shefford, located 20 miles south. Assuming that the delivery and the distribution of the ammunition in the sub-depot was recorded in accordance with regulations, it was not a genuine outstation of S.T.S. 61, because it merely acted as a kind of subcontractor. Referring to the storage, an explanation is given for Station 61B:
‘On moving to Gaynes Hall, a new airfield at Tempsford, 15 miles away was used: and the same method of sending and bringing back containers [following cancelled or unsuccessful operations] continued for a time, until the covered storage space was found in “Bomb Stores” near the perimeter. An N.C.O. was put in charge, and in 1943 when storage sheds were built to hold several thousands, an Officer. Elephant shelters at 27 A.S.D. Shefford were used when stocks were heavy in 1944. At other airfields storage was mainly in the open under tarpaulins.’

There were extraordinary measures to temporarily circumvent restrictions regarding personnel and transport imposed by the war establishments in the event of very high demands in 1944. War Establishment VIII/227/3 had brought the strength, all ranks, already to 227. While this might have been sufficient for the daily routines, the preparations for the invasion of the continent imposed a considerable amount of extra work. S.O.E. found ways to temporarily provide additional staff:
‘At the beginning of 1944 an increased packing programme was scheduled. To assist in this ninety six men were attached, from A.S.T.U. Leeds, for three months, February, March, April. Moszt of these men were unfit for Regimental duties or ex “Y” list and of low [medical] category. Generally speaking, they were not suitable for packing duties, but were the best available.

In June, with the development of resistance on the Continent, increased output was again demanded. Suitable Army men were not available and the staff was increased by the attachments of a hundred R.A.F. pilots, who were awaiting postings. The were later replaced by R.A.F. cadets. Attachment was for three months – July, August, and September. As these men were fit and young there was a great improvement on the results obtained with the men from A.S.T.U. Leeds.’

The day’s record pack of containers was 1,160 on 06.07.1944, 48 hours after the arrival of the pilots.

Providing additional transport on a temporary basis:
‘R.A.S.C. Drivers and Lorries were permanently attached. Additional vehicles were attached during 1944 and 1945 when movement of stores and containers was heavy. Other transport was obtained – for small amounts from Officer i/c Transport, Bedford and for large movements through S.O.E. H.Q. Internal transport by means of tractors and trollies.’

The Houses
Parachute and Packing Station: The stable block of Audley End House, 02.10.1941 – 04/1942

Remainder of S.T.S. 61: Unknown; on the aerodrome or around R.A.F. Tempsford, 09/1941 – early/1942

S.T.S. 61: Gaynes Hall, St. Neots, Huntingdonshire, early/1942 – 11.03.1943

Station 61: Gaynes Hall, St. Neots, Huntingdonshire, 12.03.1943 – 08.09.1945

Station 61B: R.A.F. Tempsford (in bomb stores near the perimeter), 20.08.1943 – 29.03.1944


For the period between 12.04.1945 and 13.07.1945, there was an additional war establishment promulgated for Station 61, see VIII/1051/1 – Station 61A. The title suggests another outstation, but in this case, it was more of an amendment which was quite unusual in the administration of war establishments.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/257/1, 15.094.1941 - 11.03.1943 (as “Operational Despatch Station, I.S.R.B.”)
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/257/1, 04.10.1941 (renaming to “Special Training School No. 61”)
1b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/257/1, 15.09.1941
1c - Amendment No. 3 to VIII/257/1, 15.09.1941
1d - Amendment No. 4 to VIII/257/1, 03.04.1942
1e - Amendment No. 5 to VIII/257/1, 03.04.1942
2. VIII/257/2, 12.03.1943 - 19.08.1943 (renaming to “Station No. 61”)
3. VIII/257/3, 20.08.1943 - 29.03.1944 (distinguishing between Stations Nos. 61A and 61B)
3a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/257/3, 29.09.1943
4. VIII/257/4, 30.03.1944 - 08.09.1945 (cancelled)
4a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/257/4, not promulgated*****
4b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/257/4, 25.04.1945, not available
See VIII/1051/1 for another amendment.


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/257/1 – Operational Despatch Station, I.S.R.B.
15.09.1941 – 11.03.1943
(i) Personnel
1 Commander (major)
1 2nd-in-command (captain)
1 Quartermaster
3 (Total, officers)
Infantry
1 company quarter-master-serjeant (staff serjeant)
2 Serjeants
1 Regimental police (serjeant)
4 (Total, staff serjeants and serjeants)
9 Regimental police
4 Storemen
6 Packers and loaders
2 Batmen
6 General dutiesmen
1 Mess servants - for Officers’ mess
2 Mess servants - for Rank and file mess
1 Motor-cyclist
Miscellaneous
2 Storemen, R.E
5 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
4 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
42 (Total, rank and file)
46 (Total, other ranks)
49 Total, all ranks

Attached
1 A.C.C., cook - for Officers’ mess
1 A.C.C., cooks - for Rank and file mess
3 (Total, officers, including attached)
4 (Total, staff serjeants and serjeants, including attached)
45 (Total, Rank and file, including attached)
49 (Total, other ranks, including attached)
52 Total, special training school No. 61 (including attached)

(no transport)


1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/257/1 – Operational Despatch Station, I.S.R.B., 04.10.1941
Amend
Title to read
Special Training School No. 61


1b Amendment No. 2 to VIII/257/1 – Special Training School No. 61, 15.09.1941
Add
(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle
4 Lorries, 30-cwt., 4-wheeled
(iii) Table of weapons
4 Pistols, .38-inch
48 Rifles, .303-inch


1c Amendment No. 3 to VIII/257/1 – Special Training School No. 61, 15.09.1941
Delete
45 Total, Rank and file (including attached)
Add (footnote)
45 Total, Rank and file (including attached) (a)
Add new note (a)
(a) Includes
4 Corporals
4 Lance-corporals


1d Amendment No. 4 to VIII/257/1 – Special Training School No. 61, 03.04.1942
Add
1 Instructor (captain)
Under Infantry
6 Regimental police (privates)
3 Packers and loaders (privates)
1 Motor-cyclist
1 Mess orderly (officers’ mess)
1 Carpenter
4 (Total, officers, including attached)
4 (Total, staff serjeants and serjeants, including attached)
57 Total, Rank and file, including attached)
61 (Total, other ranks, including attached)
65 Total, special training school No. 61 (including attached)
After Title
Add
(Not an Army Establishment)


1e Amendment No. 5 to VIII/257/1 – Special Training School No. 61, 03.04.1942
Under
(ii) “Transport”
Add
1 Motor-cycle


2. VIII/257/2 – Station No. 61,
12.03.1943 – 19.08.1943
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commander (major)
1 Officer i/c packing station (captain)
1 Subaltern (packing station)
1 Administrative officer (captain)
3 Liaison officers (captains)
7 Total, officers
1 Regimental quarter-master-serjeant (warrant officer, class II)
1 Storeman, R.E. (warrant officer, class II)
1 Storeman, (any arm) (warrant officer, class II)
3 Total, warrant officers
1 Armourer serjeant, R.E.M.E.
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C. (serjeant)
2 Serjeants i/c packers and loaders
3 Duty serjeants
7 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
10 Corporals (includes 1 lance-serjeant)
89 Privates (includes 9 lance-corporals)
99 Total, rank and file
109 Total, other ranks
116 Total, Station No. 61

Attached
2 A.C.C., Cooks for - Officers’ mess
2 A.C.C., Cooks for - Serjeants’ mess
1 A.C.C., Cooks, for Other ranks’ mess (corporal)
4 A.C.C., Cooks, for Other ranks’ mess
7 (Total, officers, including attached)
3 (Total, warrant officers, including attached)
7 (Total, staff serjeants and serjeants, including attached)
108 (Total, rank and file, including attached)
118 (Total, other ranks, including attached)
125 Total, station No. 61 (including attached)

(ii) Distribution of rank and file by trades and duties
Tradesmen
1 Carpenter and joiner, R.E.M.E.
6 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
1 Driver-mechanic, R.A.S.C.
1 Tinsmith and whitesmith, R.E.M.E.
9 Total, tradesmen
Non-tradesmen
8 Batmen
13 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Orderly for – Officers’ mess
1 Orderly for – Serjeants’ mess
4 Orderlies for – Rank and file mess
3 Motor-cyclist orderlies
42 Packers and loaders
8 Regimental police
2 Sanitary dutymen
8 Storemen, non-technical
90 Total, non-tradesmen
99 Total, rank and file

(iii) Transport
3 Motor-cycles, solo
1 Motor-cycle, combination
8 Cars, 4-seater, 4 x 2
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.
5 Lorries, 3-ton, 4 x 2, G.S.

(iv) Weapons
7 Pistols, .38-inch
59 Rifles, .303-inch
59 Machine carbines, Sten, 9 m.m.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/257/1.


3. VIII/257/3 – Station No. 61,
20.08.1943 – 29.03.1944
(Not an Army Establishment)
Column 1: Station 61A
Column 2: Station 61B
Column 3: Total, Station 61
(i) Personnel
1 - 0 - 1 commander (major)
1 - 0 - 1 Officer i/c packing station (captain)
3 - 0 - 3 Subalterns (for packing station)
1 - 0 - 1 Administrative officer (captain)
0 - 1 - 1 Administrative officer (subaltern)
3 - 0 - 3 Liaison officers (captains)
9 - 1 - 10 Total, officers
1 - 0 - 1 Regimental quarter-master-serjeant
1 - 0 - 1 Storeman, technical, R.E. (warrant officer, class II)
1 - 0 - 1 Storeman, (any arm) (warrant officer, class II)
1 - 0 - 1 Company serjeant-major (warrant officer, class II)
4 - 0 - 4 Total, warrant officers
1 - 0 - 1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff serjeant)
2 - 0 - 2 Packers and loaders (staff serjeants)
5 - 0 - 5 Packers and loaders (serjeants)
1 - 0 - 1 Armourer, R.E.M.E. (serjeant)
1 - 0 - 1 Clerk, R.A.S.C. (serjeant)
2 - 0 - 2 Storemen, non-technical (serjeants)
1 - 0 - 1 Duty N.C.Os. (serjeants)
13 - 0 - 13 Total, Staff-serjeants and serjeants
12 - 0 - 12 Corporals (includes 2 lance-serjeants)
156 - 21 - 177 Privates (includes 12 lance-corporals)
168 - 21 - 189 Total, rank and file
185 - 21 - 206 Total, other ranks
194 - 22 - 216 Total, station No. 61

Attached
A.C.C.
1 - 3 - 4 Cooks, for – Officers’ mess
1 - 0 - 1 Cooks, for – Serjeants’ mess
1 - 0 - 1 Cooks, for – Rank and file mess (corporal)
3 - 2 - 5 Cooks, for – Rank and file mess
6 - 5 - 11 Total, attached
9 - 1 - 10 (Total, officers (including attached))
4 - 0 - 4 (Total, warrant officers (including attached))
13 - 0 - 13 (Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants (including attached))
174 - 26 - 200 (Total, rank and file (including attached))
191 - 26 - 217 (Total, other ranks (including attached))
200 - 27 - 227 Total, Station No. 61 (including attached)

(ii) Distribution of rank and file by trades and duties
Tradesmen
1 - 0 - 1 Carpenter and joiner, R.E.M.E.
1 - 0 - 1 Tinsmith and whitesmith, R.E.M.E.
10 - 0 - 10 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
2 - 0 - 2 Driver mechanics, R.A.S.C.
14 - 0 - 14 Total, tradesmen
Non-tradesmen
2 - 6 - 8 Batmen
10 - 7 - 17 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
5 - 1 - 6 General dutymen
23 - 0 - 23 Loaders
1 - 3 - 4 Orderlies for – Officers’ mess
1 - 0 - 1 Orderlies for – Serjeants’ mess
4 - 2 - 6 Orderlies for – Rank and file mess
3 - 1 - 4 Orderlies for - Motor-cycles
80 - 0 - 80 Packers
8 - 0 - 8 Regimental police
1 - 1 - 2 Sanitary dutymen
16 - 0 - 16 Storemen, non-technical
154 - 21 - 175 Total, non-tradesmen
168 - 21 - 189 Total, rank and file

(iii) Transport
2 - 1 - 3 Motor-cycles, solo
1 - 0 - 1 Motor-cycles, combination
1 - 7 - 8 Cars, 4-seater, 4 x 2
1 - 0 - 1 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.
6 - 0 - 6 Lorries, 3-ton, 4 x 2, G.S.
2 - 0 - 2 Lorries, 6-ton, 4 x 2, G.S.

Note
All personnel of this establishment may be of low medical category.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/257/2.


3a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/257/3 – Station No. 61, 29.09.1943
(Not an Army Establishment)
Under
(i) Personnel
against “Packers and loaders (includes 2 staff-serjeants and 5 serjeants)”
insert (a)
Under
(ii) Distribution of rank and file by trades and duties
against “Loaders” and “Packers”
insert (a)
Add new footnote as follows:
(a) 50 per cent of the loaders and packers to be fit for heavy duties.


4. VIII/257/4 – Station No. 61,
30.03.1944 – 08.09.1945
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commander
1 Officer i/c packing station (major)
1 2nd i/c packing station (captain)
2 Subalterns (for packing station)
1 Administrative officer (captain)
1 Administrative officer
1 Liaison officer (major)
3 Liaison officers (captains)
11 Total, officers
1 Regimental quarter-master-serjeant (warrant officer, class II)
1 Storeman, technical, R.E. (warrant officer, class II)
1 Storeman, (any arm) (warrant officer, class II)
1 Company serjeant-major (warrant officer, class II)
4 Total, warrant officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff serjeant)
2 Packers and loaders (staff serjeants)
5 Packers and loaders (serjeants)
1 Ammunition examiner (serjeant)
1 Armourer, R.E.M.E. (serjeant)
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C. (serjeant)
2 Storemen, non-technical (serjeants)
1 Duty N.C.O. (serjeant)
14 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
13 Corporals (includes 2 lance-serjeants)
176 Privates (includes 20 lance-corporals)
189 Total, rank and file
207 Total, other ranks
218 Total, Station No. 61

Attached
1 A.C.C., Cook for - Serjeants’ mess
1 A.C.C., Cooks, for Other ranks’ mess (corporal)
5 A.C.C., Cooks, for Other ranks’ mess
7 Total, attached
11 (Total, officers, including attached)
4 (Total, warrant officers, including attached)
14 (Total, staff serjeants and serjeants, including attached)
196 (Total, rank and file, including attached)
214 (Total, other ranks, including attached)
225 Total, station No. 61 army personnel (including attached)

Non-army personnel
1 Officer status
4 Cooks (officers mess)
8 Drivers, I.C.
5 Orderlies (officers mess)
1 i/c transport
19 Total, non-army personnel

(ii) Distribution of rank and file by trades and duties
Tradesmen
1 Ammunition examiner (corporal)
1 Armourer (lance-corporal)
1 Carpenter and joiner
13 Clerks
2 Driver-mechanics
1 Sheet metal worker
6 Storemen, technical
25 Total, tradesmen
Non-tradesmen
8 Batmen
9 Drivers, I.C.
6 General dutymen
23 Loaders
1 Orderly for – Serjeants’ mess
6 Orderlies for – Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for – Medical officer (lance-corporal)
4 Orderlies for – Motor-cycles
80 Packers
8 Regimental police
2 Sanitary dutymen
16 Storemen, non-technical
164 Total, non- tradesmen
189 Total, rank and file

(iii) Transport
4 Motor-cycles, solo
8 Cars, 4-seater, 4 x 2
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.
6 Lorries, 3-ton, 4 x 2, G.S.
2 Lorries, 6-ton, 6 x 4, G.S.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/257/3.


---
* TNA HS 7/14 - Air Liaison Section 1941-1945 (History File 9)
** TNA HS 7/14, M/XX/762, dated 19.07.1941
*** TNA HS 8/969, DCE/OR/688, “Official Cover of Establishments”, dated 26.05.1942
**** TNA HS 7/14
***** Perhaps only a wrong number for Amendment No. 2

 

6.12 WE VIII/313
6.13 WE VIII/314
6.14 WE VIII/317

6.12 WE VIII/313 - Headquarters Special Training Schools
This headquarters was internally known as MT Section. Major Forty calls it the Headquarters of the Training Section. It was located in London and used
Room 98 Horse Guards, London,
as its cover address.*

Major Forty in his official “History of the Training Section of S.O.E., 1940 – 1945” describes in detail the development of the Headquarters of the Training Section, from a nucleus in the winter of 1940/1941 steadily growing. As the first war establishment for the headquarters of the special training schools appears in March 1942, the personnel must have been held by different authorisations. In the letter demanding personnel for S.T.S. 61 mentioned above, there is also mention of 2 additional captains for the “H.Q. Training Section”.** No superseded predecessor is cited in the first war establishment. It is an example of authorisation by different means, probably a War Office letter that is not retained. His description of the maximum expansion in the autumn of 1943 lists 12 officers. This differs by far in sum and in detail from the situation given in the war establishments. There is no mention of a Director of Training, apparently remunerated as Colonel, and no attached officers. On the other hand, only officers are mentioned in the Official History, no other ranks, of which are 57 in the war establishment. Major Forty, who is a member of the staff as G.S.O. 2, describes only the staff functions performed by the responsible officers in charge.

On its meeting on 21.08.1942, the War Establishment Committee approved ‘the upgrade of a General Staff Officer, 1st grade, fulfilling the duties of Director of Training to Colonel’ with effect from 21.08.1942.*** This amendment was never promulgated.

In January 1943, Group C was established to administrate the former Preliminary Schools and Holding Schools, now jointly called Operational Holding Schools. The former Inspector of Schools, Lt.-Col. F.V. Spooner, was promoted Colonel and got a headquarters in London to control the Group C schools. Rather than creating a separate war establishment, the vacancies of this headquarters were created on the war establishment of S.T.S. H.Q. Major Forty lists this separated part as follows:
- 1 G.S.O. 2
- 1 G.S.O. 3
- 1 Staff-serjeant
- 1 Corporal clerk
- 2 civilian secretaries.

Most of these can be found in Amendment No. 4 to VIII/313/1.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/313/1, 04.03.1942 - 28.02.1944
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/313/1, 11.06.1942
1b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/313/1, 08.07.1942 (A.C.I. - 6 appointments antedated between 12.07.1941 and 20.01.1941)
1bb - Unnumbered amendment to VIII/313/1, 21.08.1942 (approved but never promulgated)
1c - Amendment No. 3 to VIII/313/1, 31.12.1942
1d - Amendment No. 4 to VIII/313/1, 21.09.1943
1e - Amendment No. 5 to VIII/313/1, 01.03.1944, not available; reconstructed
2. VIII/313/2, 29.02.1944 - 08.07.1945 (cancelled)
2a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/313/2, 01.01.1945, not available


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/313/1 – H.Q. Special Training Schools,
04.03.1942 - 28.02.1944
(Not an Army Establishment)
Personnel
1 Lieutenant-colonel
1 General staff officer, 1st grade
1 Deputy assistant adjutant and quarter-master-general
2 General staff officers, 2nd grade
3 General staff officers, 3rd grade
3 Majors
3 Staff captains
4 Captains
1 Lieutenant (transport officer)
6 Subalterns
25 Total, officers
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C., staff-serjeant
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C., serjeant
3 Clerks, R.A.S.C., corporals
5 Total, other ranks
30 Total, H.Q. special training schools

(no transport)


1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/313/1 - Headquarters Special Training Schools, 11.06.1942
Delete
1 Lieutenant (transport officer)
Add
2 Staff lieutenants
26 (new Total, officers)
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C., corporal
4 Clerks, R.A.S.C., privates
5 Drivers, R.A.S.C.
2 Storemen
2 Orderlies for Officers’ mess
1 Orderly for Other ranks mess
1 Orderly for Regimental police, lance-corporal
6 Orderlies for Regimental police
3 Motor cyclists
1 Orderly for General duties, serjeant
2 Orderlies for General duties, corporals
2 Orderlies for General duties, lance-corporals
15 Orderlies for General duties
50 (new Total, other ranks)

Attached
2 A.C.C. Cooks for Officers’ mess
1 A.C.C. Cook for Rank and file mess
3 (Total, attached)
79 (new Total, Headquarters special training schools, including attached)

(Still no transport. It is likely that the drivers and the motor cyclists got their cars, trucks and motorcycles from a pool, as the headquarters was accommodated in London.)


1b Amendment No. 2 to VIII/313/1 - Headquarters Special Training Schools, A.C.I. 08.07.1942
Antedate the following appointments with effect from date stated.
1 G.S.O. I w.e.f. 24.09.1941
1 D.A.A. and Q.M.G. w.e.f. 12.07.1941
1 G.S.O. II w.e.f. 20.12.1941
1 G.S.O. III w.e.f. 07.08.1941
1 G.S.O. III w.e.f. 26.08.1941
1 Staff captain w.e.f. 15.08.1941

(Totals unchanged to Amendment No. 1.)


1bb Unnumbered amendment to VIII/313/1 - Headquarters Special Training Schools, 21.08.1942 (never promulgated)
Add
1 Director of Training (Colonel)
Delete
1 General Staff Officer, 1st grade (Lt.-Col.)

(Totals unchanged to Amendment No. 2.)


1c Amendment No. 3 to VIII/313/1 - Headquarters Special Training School [sic], 31.12.1942
Under “Personnel” – “Clerks, R.A.S.C.”
Add
1 Warrant officer, class II
Delete
1 Staff-serjeant.

(Totals unchanged to Amendment No. 1.)


1d Amendment No. 4 to VIII/313/1 - Headquarters Special Training Schools, 21.09.1943
Add
1 General staff officer, 2nd grade
1 General staff officer, 3rd grade
2 Captains
10 Subalterns
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C., (staff-serjeant)
1 Cinema projectionist, R.A.O.C., (corporal)
1 Orderly for General duties, serjeant
1 Orderly for General duties
Under “Attached”
Add
1 A.C.C. Cook for Officers’ mess
1 A.C.C. Cook for Rank and file mess
Delete
1 Deputy assistant adjutant and quarter-master-general
2 Staff captains
1 Staff lieutenant
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C., warrant officer, class II
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C., corporal
36 (new Total, officers)
52 (new Total, other ranks)
5 (new Total, attached)
93 (new Total, Headquarters special training schools, including attached)


1e Amendment No. 5 to VIII/313/1 - H.Q. Special Training Schools, 01.03.1944, not available, reconstructed****
“decrease of: 4 officers”

(As the following issue was promulgated only two weeks later, the content will be contained in VIII/313/2; and as the latter is a re-write, including amendments 1 to 5, the content of amendment No. 5 can theoretically be deducted: “roughly decrease of: 4 officers”.)


2. VIII/313/2, H.Q. Special Training Schools, 29.02.1944 - 08.07.1945
(Not an Army Establishment)
Personnel
1 Lieutenant-colonel
1 General staff officer, 1st grade
3 General staff officers, 2nd grade
4 General staff officers, 3rd grade
3 Majors
1 Staff captain
6 Captains
1 Staff lieutenant
12 Subalterns
32 Total, officers
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C., staff-serjeant
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C., serjeant
3 Clerks, R.A.S.C., corporals
4 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
1 Cinema projectionist, R.A.O.C., corporal
5 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
2 Storemen
2 Orderlies for Officers’ mess
1 Orderly for Other ranks’ mess
1 Regimental police, lance-corporal
6 Regimental police
3 Motor-cyclists
2 General dutymen, serjeants
2 General dutymen, corporals
2 General dutymen, lance-Corporals
16 General dutymen
52 Total, other ranks

Attached
3 A.C.C. cooks for Officers’ mess
2 A.C.C. cooks for Other ranks’ mess
5 Total attached
89 Total, H.Q. special training schools, including attached

(no transport.)

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/313/1, being a re-write incorporating amendments 1 – 5.


--- --- ---


6.13 WE VIII/314 - Special Training School, No. 17
Throughout its existence, the number 17 or XVII has always been associated with Brickendonbury Manor, Brickendonbury, Hertford. However, the available sources do not consistently use the terms “Station No. XVII” and “Special Training School No. 17”.*****

Originally, the unit was called Station XVII but used as a school. It was established by Section “D” of S.I.S., which was not governed by war establishments. No comparable document containing information on structure and personnel is known for the period prior to 22.04.1942. When the station was transferred to S.O.E. in December 1940, it seems that the authorisation by S.I.S. was used further tacitly. The first war establishment appeared 16 months later and was called “Special Training School No. 17”, whereby the number was retained but the Roman numeral notation was omitted and from this point onwards the nomenclature of S.O.E. was used.

The school was first used as a general-purpose school, and from 1942 on primarily to teach modern industrial sabotage.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/314/1, 04.03.1942 - 22.11.1942, not available; reconstructed
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/314/1, 23.07.1942
2. VIII/314/2, 23.11.1942 - 08.07.1945 (cancelled)
2a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/314/2, 22.04.1943
2b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/314/2, 03.08.1943
2c - Amendment No. 3 to VIII/314/2, 17.02.1944
2d - Amendment No. 4 to VIII/314/2, 15.02.1945, not available


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/314/1 - Special Training School No. 17, not available, reconstructed******
04.03.1942 - 22.11.1942
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
10 Officers
4 Other ranks


1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/314/1 - Special Training School No. 17, 23.07.1942
Under
(i) Personnel
add
4 Batmen
1 Storeman
3 General dutymen
(ii) Transport
add
1 Motor-cycle, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
3 Cars, 4-seater, 4 x 2
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.


2. VIII/314/2 - Special Training School No. 17,
23.11.1942 - 08.07.1945
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant and chief instructor (lieutenant-colonel)
1 Administrative officer (captain)
1 Instructors (major)
5 Instructors (captains)
2 Instructors (lieutenants)
10 Total, officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor, R.E. (a) (serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor, R. Signals (a) (serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor, Infantry (a) (serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor, A.P.T.C. (a) (serjeant)
5 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
3 Clerks, R.A.S.C. (includes a shorthand-typist)
1 Cook, A.C.C. (corporal)
3 Cooks, A.C.C.
5 Mess orderlies
1 Driver-mechanic, R.A.S.C., as driver, I.C.
5 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Storeman
8 Batmen
4 Regimental Police
3 General dutymen
1 Sanitary dutyman
36 Total, rank and file (b)
41 Total, other ranks
51 Total, special training school No. 17

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
3 Cars, 4-seater, 4 x 2
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

(iii) Weapons
14 Pistols, .38-inch
39 Rifles, .303-inch

(a) Includes a staff-serjeant.
(b) Includes 2 corporals and 2 lance-corporals.

This establishment supersedes W.E. VIII/314/1.


2a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/314/2 - Special Training School No. 17, 22.04.1943
Delete
1 Instructor (major)
2 Instructors (captains)


2b Amendment No. 2 to VIII/314/2 - Special Training School No. 17, 03.08.1943
Delete
1 Instructor (major)
Add
1 Instructor (captain)


2c Amendment No. 3 to VIII/314/2 - Special Training School No. 17, 17.02.1944
Delete
1 Private
Add
1 Corporal


--- --- ---


6.14 WE VIII/317 - Special Training School and Station No. 62
Schools and Houses
S.T.S. 62: Anderson Manor, Blandford, Dorset, 07.04.1942 – 10.11.1942

Station 62: Anderson Manor, Blandford, Dorset, 11.11.1942 – 19.07.1943

Station 62A: Scorrier House, Scorrier, near Redruth, Cornwall, 11.11.1942 – 19.07.1943

Station 62B: Lupton House, Churston Ferrers, near Brixham, Devon, 11.11.1942 – 19.07.1943

Station 62C: Wraxall Manor, near Maiden Newton, Cornwall, 11.11.1942 – 19.07.1943

Station 62D: Inchmery House, Exbury, Hampshire, 11.11.1942 – 05/1943


As Special Training School 62, it was home to the short-lived Small Scale Raiding Force under Gustavus Henry “Gus” March-Phillipps with Geoffrey Appleyard as his second-in-command. They had the idea of setting up and training a small amphibious unit capable of carrying out numerous small operations in rapid succession to force the enemy to disperse its troops, which corresponded to Gubbins' instructions in his “Partisan Leader’s Handbook”. March-Phillipps was able to win Gubbins over to this idea in a personal presentation, and Mountbatten was in any case won over to this team and their idea by the success of their Operation POSTMASTER. As a result, the new unit was to be managed by two headquarters and under two titles. It came under S.O.E.’s Section M for administration, supplies and training and was incorporated as Special Training School 62. Mountbatten’s Combined Operations had, with the consent of S.O.E., operational control and incorporated the unit as No. 62 Commando. It would not only carry out raids in Northern France but also had to train officers and N.C.Os. to train other raiders.

From 11.11.1942, S.O.E. renamed the school Station No. 62, with four satellites; the letters used corresponded with the troops of 62 Commando (e.g. A Troop accommodated in Station 62A).******* Two letters dated 29.12.1942 and 12.01.1943******** confirm the changes concerning the renaming to Station 62 and the opening of four satellites; the latter reads:
‘The following additional Establishments (listed as 62A to 62D as above) have recently been opened in Southern Command and the Location List attached to the above-mentioned letter (dated 03.11.1942) should be amended accordingly. […] The above-mentioned are satellites of that shown […] as S.T.S. 62. In future the parent station and its satellites will be known as Station 62 and as shown above [62A to 62D].’

This renaming followed an agreement between Mountbatten and S.O.E. in October 1942 to expand the unit by four more houses in southern England. Casualties suffered in raids were reportedly replaced with personnel from the commandos and regular army rather than from S.O.E. Unfortunately, the issue reflecting the changes at the Special Training School (VIII/317/2) is not available. Following the death of March-Phillipps in September 1942, Bill Stirling, the elder brother of S.A.S. founder David Stirling, hat taken command of the Small Scale Raiding Force. In early 1943, the unit was earmarked for deployment in North Africa and the Sicily landings which eventually led to the formation of a 2nd Special Air Service Regiment (war establishments NA/73/1 and XII/410/1), which came into effect on 13.05.1943, the day the Italian and German forces in North Africa surrendered. Bill Stirling now took command of the 2nd S.A.S. Regiment and took some of the personnel with him, while other key personnel transferred to the Commandos or the Special Boat Squadron or remained with S.O.E. An exact date for the official disbandment of the Small Scale Raiding Force is not known, and it may well be that the Special Training School 62 continued to train students for other purposes until its disbandment on 19.07.1943.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/317/1, 07.04.1942 - 24.11.1942
2. VIII/317/2, 25.11.1942 - 19.07.1943 (cancelled), not available
2a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/317/2, 11.11.1942


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/317/1 - Special Training School, No. 62, 07.04.1942 - 24.11.1942
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
2 Majors
8 Captains
7 Subalterns
17 Total, officers
1 Company serjeant-major (warrant officer, class II)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Armourer, R.A.O.C. (Serjeant)
2 Serjeants
5 Total, warrant officers, staff-serjeants and serjeants
2 Corporals
2 Clerks
5 Batmen
2 Orderlies
3 Drivers, I.C.,
1 Storeman
2 Cooks, A.C.C.
10 Privates
27 Total, rank and file (a)
32 Total, other ranks
49 Total, special training school No. 62

(a) In rank and file included:
1 (Additional) corporal
2 Lance-corporals

(ii) Transport
1 Car, 2-seater, 4-wheeled
2 Lorries, 30-cwt., 4-wheeled


2a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/317/2 - Station No. 62, 11.11.1942
Under
(i) Personnel
delete
1 Driver, I.C.
add
1 Driver-mechanic
For
Total, special training school, No. 62
Substitute
Total, station No. 62


---
* This cover address served also all country establishments, including those which were not under control of S.O.E.
** TNA HS 7/14, M/XX/762, dated 19.07.1941
*** TNA WO 24/1025, WEC 777/12
**** WESC 1017/14, 17.02.1944 (TNA WO 24/1063)
***** Although at that point officially a “Station”, it is listed as S.T.S. No. 17 as early as 25.08.1941 (TNA HS 8/960)
****** WESC 584/14(b), 09.04.1942 (TNA WO 24/1059)
******* TNA HS 8/969, “Official Cover of Establishments”, dated 19.03.1943
******** TNA HS 8/960 - War Office Special training schools, 1941 - 1943

 

6.15 WE VIII/339 - Station No. 53

Stations and Houses
Station 53 A: Grendon Hall, Grendon Underwood, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, summer 1941* – 01/1946

Station 53 B: Poundon House, Poundon, Bicester, Oxfordshire, 11/1942 – 07/1945


Temporarily two locations
Period - Location 1 - Location 2
04.05.1942 - 19.08.1942: - Main station and Headquarters at Grendon Hall - Out station at Charndon
20.08.1942 - 22.11.1942: - at Grendon Hall (not identified) - (none)
23.11.1942 - 06.10.1943: - at Grendon Hall - at Poundon House
07.10.1943 - 07.07.1945: - Station 53 A at Grendon Hall - Station 53 B at Poundon House
08.07.1945 - 15.01.1946: - Centralised operation at Grendon Hall - (none)

Station 53 was the war station for the Signal Directorate of S.O.E.

In addition to maintaining signals communication, the station also provided signals training. By the end of 1944, all signals training was centralised at Station 53, taking over S.T.S. 52 and S.T.S. 54; their houses, Thame Park and Fawley House, were closed.

From a technical point of view, there were three stations for operating:
53A – Grendon, operating from June 1942
53B – Poundon (1), operating from November 1942
53C – Poundon (2), operating from September 1943

While 53A and 53B were run by S.O.E., 53C was run by the American counterpart of S.O.E., Office of Strategic Services. (O.S.S.), until October 1944.

Two structural changes can be detected by the delta of amendments that lead to VIII/339/2, although two substantial documents were not retained:
1. The changes refer to “Station 53A and 53B”. Therefore, this distinction should have been included with the amendments of the Committees on 20.11.1942 and 23.11.1942 leading to VIII/339/2.
2. The overall command over S.T.S. 52 and S.T.S. 54 by a senior signal officer was already installed by VIII/339/2 with effect from 23.11.1942. This is considerably earlier than the appointment of a Chief Signal Officer in Spring 1943, as Major Forty suggested.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/339/1, 04.05.1942 - 22.11.1942
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/339/1, 19.08.1942
1b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/339/1, 20.08.1942
1c - Amendment No. 3 to VIII/339/1, 08.10.1942
2. VIII/339/2, 23.11.1942 - 06.10.1943, not available
2a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/339/2, 21.12.1942
3. VIII/339/3, 07.10.1943 - 07.07.1945
3a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/339/3, 13.01.1944
3b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/339/3, 26.07.1944, not available
4. VIII/339/4, 08.07.1945 - 15.01.1946 (cancelled)
4a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/339/4, 19.09.1945, not available


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/339/1 – Station No. 53,
04.05.1942 – 22.11.1942
(Not an Army Establishment)
Column 1: Headquarters
Column 2: Main Station, 3 reliefs (each)
Column 3: Technical Maintenance section
Column 4: Out station
Column 5: Total, station No. 53
(i) Personnel
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Major
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Captain (in charge of station)
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Administrative officer (captain)
0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 1 Technical maintenance officer
0 - 1 - 0 - 1 - 4 Subalterns
3 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 8 Total, officers
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Company serjeant-major (warrant officer, class II)
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
0 - 2 - 1 - 1 - 8 Serjeants
2 - 2 - 1 - 1 - 10 Total, warrant officers, staff-serjeants and serjeants
0 - 4 - 1 - 1 - 14 Corporals (includes 3 lance-serjeants)
11 - 32 - 7 - 10 - 124 Signalmen (includes 12 lance-corporals)
10 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 10 Drivers, I.C.
21 - 36 - 8 - 11 - 148 Total, rank and file
23 - 38 - 9 - 12 - 158 Total, other ranks
26 - 39 - 10 - 13 - 166 Total, station No. 61

Attached
4 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 4 A.C.C. - Cooks,
0 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 6 A.T.S.
4 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 10 (Total, attached)
3 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 8 (Total, officers (including attached))
2 - 2 - 1 - 1 - 10 (Total, warrant officers, staff-serjeants and serjeants (including attached))
25 - 38 - 8 - 11 - 158 (Total, rank and file (including attached))
27 - 40 - 9 - 12 - 168 (Total, other ranks (including attached))
30 - 41 - 10 - 13 - 176 Total, Station No. 61 (including attached)

(ii) Distribution of rank and file by trades and duties
Tradesmen, Groups A - D
0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 1 Carpenter and joiner
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Clerk
2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 2 Despatch riders, R. Signals
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Draughtman
0 - 2 - 0 - 2 - 8 Electricians (signals)
0 - 0 - 3 - 0 - 3 Fitters (signals)
0 - 0 - 4 - 0 - 4 Instrument mechanics
0 - 32 - 0 - 9 - 105 Operators, wireless and line
0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 3 Operators, key board
Tradesmen, Group E
6 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 9 Orderlies
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Storeman
11 - 36 - 8 - 11 - 138 Total, tradesmen
Non-tradesmen
Drivers, I.C., for duty as -
4 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 4 Batmen
2 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 2 Sanitary dutymen
4 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 4 Drivers of vehicles
10 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 10 Total, non-tradesmen
21 - 36 - 8 - 11 - 148 Total, rank and file

(iii) Transport
3 Motor-cycles
1 Car, 4-seater, 4 x 2
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.
1 Lorry, 3-ton, 4 x 2, G.S.


1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/339/1 – Station No. 53, 19.08.1942
Under “Attached”
Delete “A.T.S.” and detail
After “Total, other ranks”
Add General duties (private, A.T.S.) / /2/ / /6/


1b Amendment No. 2 to VIII/339/1 – Station No. 53, 20.08.1942
(Not an Army Establishment)
Delete “Out station” and detail


1c Amendment No. 3 to VIII/339/1 – Station No. 53, 08.10.1942
Upgrade
1 Private, A.C.C. to Corporal


2. Partial reconstruction of the delta leading to VIII/339/2
Although war establishment VIII/339/2 was not retained, the minutes of meeting of the War Establishment Committee of 23.11.1942** provide most of the changes leading from Issue 1 with three amendments to Issue 2. The third amendment was also not retained but could be reconstructed. The below mention of their own “further changes” of the War Establishment Committee provides a delta; unfortunately, they base on the already approved amendments of the War Establishment Sub-Committee*** which are reported but contain no details. So, a complete reconstruction was not possible.


(2) Amendments leading from VIII/339/1 with three amendments to VIII/339/2 – Station No. 53, 23.11.1942
Under Headquarters
after “Officer commanding (lieutenant-colonel)” add (a)
Add footnote (a) Also commands S.T.S. 52 and S.T.S 54.
Delete
1 “Second-in-command (major)”
Add
1 “Administrative officer (captain) (also for quartermaster duties)”
Delete
1 “Quartermaster”
Under “Royal Signals”
“Sections 53A and 53B”
Delete
1 Company quartermaster serjeant

Transport was approved as agreed in Sub-Committee, subject to review in 3 months.


2a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/339/2 – Station No. 53, 21.12.1942
Add
1 Captain


3. VIII/339/3 – Station No. 53,
07.10.1943 - 07.07.1945
(Not an Army Establishment)
Column 1: Station 53 A
Column 2: Station 53 B
Column 3: Total, station 53
(i) Personnel
1 - 1 - 2 Station commanders (majors)
1 - 1 - 2 Administrative officers (captains)
1 - 1 - 2 Chief signalmasters
4 - 4 - 8 Subalterns
1 - 1 - 2 Technical maintenance officers (captains)
8 - 8 - 16 Total, officers
R. Signals
1 - 1 - 2 Company serjeant-majors (warrant officers, class II)
1 - 1 - 2 Company quartermaster-serjeants (staff-serjeants)
1 - 1 - 2 Duty serjeants
4 - 4 - 8 Superintendants (serjeants) (operators, wireless and line)
1 - 1 - 2 Serjeants (electricians, signals)
8 - 8 - 16 Total, (warrant officers,) staff-serjeants and serjeants
2 - 2 - 4 Despatch riders, R. Signals
1 - 1 - 2 Draughtmen (signals)
12 - 12 - 24 Electricians (signals)
3 - 3 - 6 Vehicle mechanics
4 - 4 - 8 Instrument mechanics
4 - 4 - 8 Linemen
30 - 30 - 60 Operators, wireless and line (a)
1 - 1 - 2 Storemen, technical
R.A.S.C.
2 - 2 - 4 Clerks
1 - 0 - 1 Drivers, I.C.
Any arm of service
2 - 2 - 4 Batmen
1 - 1 - 2 Carpenters and joiners
7 - 7 - 14 General dutymen
3 - 3 - 6 Sanitary dutymen
3 - 3 - 6 Storemen, non-technical
76 - 75 - 151 Total, rank and file (b)
84 - 83 - 167 Total, other ranks
92 - 91 - 183 Total, military

Non-military personnel
2 - 2 - 4 Administrative officers
1 - 1 - 2 Cipher officers
40 - 40 - 80 Cipher personnel
10 - 10 - 20 Operators, keyboard
6 - 6 - 12 Operators, switchboard
98 - 98 - 196 Operators, wireless and line
2 - 2 - 4 Riggers
2 - 2 - 4 Cooks for - Officers’ mess
3 - 3 - 6 Cooks for - Serjeants’ mess
7 - 7 - 14 Cooks for - Rank and file mess
2 - 2 - 4 Orderlies for - Officers’ mess
2 - 2 - 4 Orderlies for - Serjeants’ mess
7 - 7 - 14 Orderlies for - Rank and file mess
7 - 7 - 14 Orderlies for - House
2 - 2 - 4 Medical orderlies
1 - 1 - 2 Intelligence personnel
2 - 2 - 4 General dutymen
3 - 3 - 6 Drivers, I.C.
4 - 4 - 8 Clerks
201 - 201 - 402 Total, non-military personnel
293 - 292 - 585 Total, station No. 53

(ii) Transport
2 - 2 - 4 Motor-cycles
2 - 2 - 4 Cars, 4-seater, 4 x 2
1 - 1 - 2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.
1 - 0 - 1 Lorry, 3-ton, 4 x 2, G.S.

(a) Includes 3 lance-serjeants and 9 corporals (each station).
(b) Includes 3 corporals and 6 lance-corporals (each station).

Note
All personnel of this establishment may be of low medical category.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/339/2.


3a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/339/3 – Station No. 53, 13.01.1944
Add
1 Other rank
Add
1 Lorry, 3-ton


4. VIII/339/3 – Station No. 53,
07.10.1943 - 07.07.1945
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
Headquarters and administration
1 Commandant (R. Signals) (major)
1 Administrative officer (any arm) (captain)
1 Captain (non-military)
1 Subaltern (non-military)
1 Company serjeant-major (warrant officer, class II)
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
Tradesmen and tradeswomen
1 Carpenter and joiner (private)
1 Clerk (serjeant)
2 Clerks (privates)
6 Clerks (non-military)
4 Switchboard operators (non-military)
Non-tradesmen and non-tradeswomen
2 Batmen (privates)
1 Boilerman (private)
4 Drivers, I.C. (privates)
2 Drivers, I.C. (non-military)
5 General dutymen and dutywomen (privates)
3 General dutymen and dutywomen (non-military)
2 Intelligence duties (non-military)
2 Medical orderlies (non-military)
1 Orderlies for - Officers’ mess (private)
1 Orderlies for - Serjeants’ mess (private)
1 Orderlies for - Serjeants’ mess (non-military)
5 Orderlies for - Rank and file mess (non-military)
1 Regimental police (serjeant)
1 Regimental police (corporal)
5 Regimental police (privates)
2 Sanitary dutymen (privates)
1 A.C.C. Cook for - Officers’ mess (private)
1 A.C.C. Cook for - Serjeants’ mess (private)
1 A.C.C. Cook for - Rank and file mess (corporal)
5 A.C.C. Cooks for - Rank and file mess (privates)
66 Total, headquarters and administration (2 officers, 1 warrant officer, 1 staff-serjeant, 2 serjeants, 2 corporals, 31 privates, 39 all ranks, military, 27 total, non-military)

Operating section
R. Signals
1 Signalmaster (captain)
1 Technical maintenance officer (captain)
1 Chief cipher officer (non-military)
Tradesmen and tradeswomen
2 Despatch riders (privates)
2 Supervisors (serjeants)
2 Supervisors (corporals)
4 Operators, wireless and line (lance-corporals)
4 Operators, wireless and line (privates)
12 Operators (non-military)
4 Operators, keyboard and line (non-military)
12 Operators, cipher (non-military)
1 Linemen (permanent line) (lance-corporal)
1 Linemen (permanent line) (private)
1 Radio mechanic (serjeant)
2 Radio mechanics (corporals)
1 Radio mechanics (lance-corporals)
10 Radio mechanics (privates)
1 Storeman, technical (private)
1 Vehicle mechanic (private)
1 Draughtman, (lance-corporal)
64 Total, operating section (2 officers, 3 serjeants, 4 corporals, 7 lance-corporals, 19 privates, 35 all ranks, military, 29 total, non-military)

Instructional section
R. Signals
1 Chief instructor (major)
3 Instructors (captains or subalterns)
5 Assistant instructors (serjeants)
17 Assistant instructors (corporals)
Tradesmen and tradeswomen
5 Operators, wireless and line (privates)
5 Operators, wireless and line (non-military)
1 Operators, cipher (corporal)
2 Operators, cipher (non-military)
2 Driver-mechanics (privates)
1 Radio mechanics (lance-corporals)
2 Radio mechanics (privates)
2 Registry instructors (non-military)
1 Codes instructor (non-military)
Non-tradesmen
2 Drivers, I.C. (privates)
1 Storeman (private)
50 Total, instructional section (4 officers, 5 serjeants, 18 corporals, 1 lance-corporal, 12 privates, 40 all ranks, military, 10 total, non-military)
180 Total, station 53A (8 officers, 1 warrant officer, 1 staff-serjeant, 10 serjeants, 24 corporals, 8 lance-corporals, 62 privates, 114 all ranks, military, 66 total, non-military)

(ii) Transport
3 Motor-cycles, solo
2 Cars, 4 x 2, light utility
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 4, G.S.
2 Lorries, 3-ton, 4 x 4, G.S.
2 Wireless vehicles, RAF type 306D with power trailer
2 Wireless vehicles, RAF type 362D with power trailer

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/339/3.


---
* Mackenzie in his History of the Special Operations Executive states that ‘[…] the nucleus of the [signal] system [of S.O.E.] was already in being at Grendon, near Bicester, where a signals school had been begun as early as October 1941.
** TNA WO 24/1025, WEC 820 on 23.11.1942
*** TNA WO 24/1060, WESC 705/12, 20.11.1942

 

6.16 WE VIII/349
6.17 WE VIII/354

6.16 WE VIII/349 - Special Training School No. 54

Schools and Houses
S.T.S. 54a: Fawley Court, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, 07/1942 – 01/1945

also: Grendon Hall, see Station 53 above

S.T.S. 54b: Belhaven School, Dunbar, East Lothian, 09/1942 – 01/1945

And probably:
S.T.S. 54c: Forthampton House; D/Fin.2 list this house as closed for S.T.S. 49 (Polish Minorities Section EU/P) on 29.06.1943 and for S.T.S. 54c closed on 31.05.1944


Fawley Court had been used for a year as a Holding School under the title S.T.S. 41, when it was transferred to the S.O.E.’s Signal Section on 09.07.1942. Belhaven School in Dunbar was selected because it was 400 miles from the S.O.E. base in Southern England, thus offering similar transmission distances to operational sites in Europe. The numbering 54a and 54b suggests that the houses were operated as one school at the same time, at least for a certain period. Amendment No. 1 to VIII/349/1, effective 24.09.1942, practically provides a complete additional school staff of instructors.

Amendment No. 2 to VIII/349/1 was submitted under the title S.T.S. 55 in order to obtain an additional war establishment for the distant school in Scotland. This would have provided key positions as commandant, administrative officer, quartermaster and company serjeant-major, that could have absorbed the additional administrative burden caused by the distance. However, only an addition to the existing S.T.S. 54 was approved.

And again, as with Station 53, there was some confusion with the number, this time 55, as well as with the terms station and school: An internal letter dated 08.09.1942* informed that Station 55 became a War Office Signal Station under the name Military Establishment 17 at Lerwick with effect from 20.08.1942.

From 23.11.1942, the officer commanding Station 53 at Grendon Hall was also in command of S.T.S. 52 and S.T.S. 54. Courses were also given at the Station.

As war establishment VIII/245/4 for Special Training School No. 52, also a school for signals training under S.O.E.’s Signal Directorate, superseded VIII/349/2 for Special Training School No. 54 with effect from 18.01.1945, it is probable that at least parts of the training with parts of the personnel were continued under S.T.S. 52. The signals training had been centralised by the end of 1944 at Grendon, and Thame Park (S.T.S. 52) and Fawley Court (S.T.S. 54) had been closed in the event.

It is unclear when Belhaven School was closed. The training of the Jedburgh personnel in early 1944 was provided by working daily contacts with Belhaven School and Fawley Court, while they students remained quartered at Military Establishment No. 65 in Milton Hall, Peterborough and worked daily contacts with Dunbar and S.T.S. 54. Belhaven School still appears in one of the few surviving reports on the locations of S.O.E. units dated 28.04.1944. When it came to closing Thame Park and Fawley Court at the end of 1944, Belhaven School was no longer mentioned. It was probably not affected by the centralization efforts because of its remote location and the resulting technical advantages. D/Fin.2 Section reported 30.06.1945 as the date of closure.

Interestingly, some other ranks of S.T.S. 54 appear under quotation of the school on another war establishment, for Military Establishment No. 121 (VIII/968/1).


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/349/1, 29.07.1942 - 04.10.1943, not available
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/349/1, 24.09.1942
1b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/349/1, 23.11.1942, partially reconstructed
1c - Amendment No. 3 to VIII/349/1, 21.12.1942
1d - Amendment No. 4 to VIII/349/1, 27.05.1943
2. VIII/349/2, 05.10.1943 - 18.01.1945 (cancelled)
Successor war establishments: VIII/245/4


War Establishments in Detail
1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/349/1 – Special Training School, No. 54, 24.09.1942
(a) Title
Add (Not an Army Establishment)
(b) Under “(i) Personnel”
Add
1 Commandant - R. Signals (major)
1 Chief instructor - R. Signals (captain)
2 Instructors - R. Signals (subaltern)
6 Assistant instructors - R. Signals, Sergeants (operators wireless and line)
8 Assistant instructors - R. Signals, Corporals (operators wireless and line)
1 Instrument mechanics - R. Signals (corporal)
1 Storeman - R. Signals
1 Batman
Delete
1 Commandant (captain)
1 Storeman


1b Amendment No. 2 to VIII/349/1 – Special Training School, No. 54, 23.11.1942, not available, partially reconstructed
The minutes of meeting of the War Establishment Committee** read:
‘Special Training School No. 54, M.O.1(S.P.): The proposed W.E. which had been referred from Sub-Committee was not approved. It was agreed however that the W.E. for Special Training School No. 54 should be amended to provide for a holding element of 10 Officers and 50 O.Rs., with effect from 23.11.1942.’


1c Amendment No. 1 to VIII/349/1 – Special Training School, No. 54, 21.12.1942
Under “(i) Personnel”
Add
1 Company serjeant-major (warrant officer, class II)
Delete
1 Duty serjeant


1d Amendment No. 1 to VIII/349/1 – Special Training School, No. 54, 27.05.1943
(Not an Army Establishment)
Under footnote “(d)”
for
50 other ranks
substitute
100 other ranks


2. VIII/349/2 – Special Training School No. 54,
05.10.1943 – 18.01.1945
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (major, R. Signals)
1 Administrative officer (captain)
2 Instructors, Captains, R. Signals
3 Instructors, Subalterns, R. Signals
7 Total, officers
R. Signals
1 company serjeant-major (warrant officer, class II)
1 company quarter-master-serjeant (staff serjeant)
12 Assistant instructors, - Serjeants (operators, wireless and line)
15 Assistant instructors, - Corporals (operators, wireless and line)
1 Assistant instructor, - Serjeant (instrument mechanic)
1 Corporal (instrument mechanic)
1 Signalman (instrument mechanic)
1 Signalman (storeman, technical)
From any Arm of Service
1 Clerk (corporal)
2 Clerks
2 Drivers, I.C.
1 Driver-mechanic
1 Vehicle mechanic
6 Batmen
9 General dutymen
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
2 Orderlies for - Officers’ mess
1 Orderly for - Serjeants’ mess
2 Orderlies for - Students’ mess
4 Orderlies for - Rank and file mess
1 Officers’ mess steward, serjeant
1 Serjeants’ mess steward, serjeant
4 Regimental police
3 Sanitary dutymen
3 Storemen, non-technical
17 (Total, warrant officers, staff-serjeants and serjeants)
60 (Total, rank and file)
77 Total, other ranks (a)
84 Total, all ranks

Attached
3 Cooks, A.C.C., for - Officers’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for - Serjeants’ mess
3 Cooks, A.C.C., for Students’ mess (corporal)
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Students’ mess
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
10 Total, attached
7 (Total, officers, including attached)
17 (Total, staff serjeants and serjeants, including attached)
70 (Total, rank and file, including attached)
87 (Total, other ranks, including attached)
94 Total, military (including attached)


Non-military
2 Administrative officers
2 Administrative assistants
6 Assistant instructors – cipher personnel
10 Assistant instructors – transmitter attendants
3 Clerks
3 Cooks
5 Drivers, I.C.
2 Medical orderlies
5 Orderlies for - House
4 Orderlies for – Students’ mess
42 (Total, non-military)
136 Total, special training school, No. 54 (including attached)

Under instruction
20 Officers
200 Other ranks
80 Non-military personnel

(ii) Transport
2 Motor-cycles, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
5 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, fitted for wireless
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.
1 Lorry, 3-ton, 4 x 2, G.S.

(a) Includes 2 corporals and 3 lance-corporals in addition to the ranks specifically allotted.

Note
All personnel of this establishment except instructional staff and personal under instruction may be of low medical category.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/349/1.


--- --- ---


6.17 WE VIII/354 - Special Training School No. 49
(originally Special Training School No. 47)

S.T.S. 49 was accommodated in Forthampton House, Forthampton, near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. The house had been used before as a satellite of S.T.S. 45, whose staff could be accommodated in their entirety at Hatherop Castle.*** The often-cited assumption that it was a renaming from S.T.S. 45a is misleading in that no satellite of an existing school was renamed; rather, a new, independent school was to be established. Only the building used was retained.

Due to political developments, which will be explained in more detail later, a second Polish Country Section had been created, the Polish Minorities Section, with the S.O.E. symbol "EU/P", also known as "political Poles". S.T.S. 45a in Tewkesbury, which had previously been run as a satellite to S.T.S. 45 in neighbouring Hatherop Castle in Fairford, was assigned to the new Country Section. The school, set up as a “finishing cum holding” school, was financed by Poland and, with effect from 14.02.1942, was removed from the jurisdiction of the Training Section. Students destined both for Poland and countries other than Poland were “finished” at this establishment, after they had been through the normal S.O.E. training schools. British instructors taught at this school and the Polish Departments sent down officials from time to time to lecture on specialised subjects.

The numbering of the school is somewhat confusing and shows consequences of an ad hoc measure. It can only be understood in the context of planning of parallel processes. It went wrong during the introduction. The war establishment for this school was promulgated by A.C.I. on 12.08.1942 as Special Training School No. 47, effective from 23.07.1942. A.C.I. 23.09.1942 promulgated Amendment No. 1 to VIII/205/2 (for the group of Holding Schools), expanding the title of this already existing war establishment from “Special Training Schools, Nos. 41 to 46” to “Nos. 41 to 47”, effective from 11.09.1942. As this means that there were two schools with the same number, 47, and since the one dedicated to the Polish Minorities Section was no longer under the responsibility of the Training Section, it was this that had to be renumbered for administrative reasons. This was promulgated by A.C.I. on 07.12.1942, consequently also effective from 11.09.1942. Officially, the school at Forthampton House existed from 23.07.1942 until 10.09.1942 as S.T.S. 47, then was renumbered S.T.S. 49, while Anderson Manor was added to Group C on the same date as the new S.T.S. 47. The latter had been used in 1942 under the name S.T.S. 62 and renamed Station 62 at the of 1942 before joining the group of Operational Holding Schools in September 1943. This little “oddity” will not be taken in consideration, and the school at Forthampton House is treated hereinafter as S.T.S. 49. The skipped No. 48 did not yet exist, as it was earmarked for the Jedburgh Training, which was only established in the autumn of the following year, only to be renamed Military Establishment No. 65 shortly afterwards. This little administrative story could serve as an example for the many issues that were dealt with in parallel by various directorates and sections of the S.O.E.

Unusually, the war establishment lacks a commandant. This may have been a concession to Poland's leading role in this school.

S.T.S. 63 was set up in April 1943 for the Polish Minorities Section under similar circumstances.

D/Fin.2 Section reported 29.06.1943 as the date of closure for S.T.S. 49 and Forthampton House. The war establishment was cancelled with effect from 20.09.44, promulgated by A.C.I. on 12.06.1946. This may be another case where war establishments were forgotten and the administrative process was only corrected much later, sometimes with inaccurate details. The date 20.09.1944 appears to be set too late, because the house no longer appears in two location lists from April 1944.

It is equally conceivable that S.T.S. 63 in Warnham Court replaced S.T.S. 49.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/354/1, 23.07.1942 - 20.09.1944 (cancelled)
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/354/1, effective 11.09.1942


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/354/1 - Special Training School, No. 47,
23.07.1942 - 20.09.1944
(Not an Army establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Instructor (captain)
1 Instructor (subaltern)
2 Total, officers
1 Instructor, A.P.T.C. (serjeant)
1 Instructor, infantry (serjeant)
2 (Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants)
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C. (corporal)
1 Batman
1 Cook, A.C.C.
2 Mess orderlies
2 Drivers, I.C.
1 Storeman
8 (Total, rank and file)
10 Total, other ranks
12 Total, special training school No. 47 (49)

(ii) Transport
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.


2a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/354/1 - Special Training School, No. 49, 11.09.1942
Amend title to read
Special Training School No. 49 (Not an Army Establishment)


---
* TNA HS 8/969; DCE/KV/1165
** TNA WO 24/ 1025, WEC 820/2, 23.11.1942
*** TNA HS 8/969: An internal letter DCE/KV/1165, dated 08.09.1942, informed of changes in location for S.T.S. 45 to Hatherop Castle. As it was established there in June 1941, this could only refer to the move of S.T.S. 45a coming from Forthampton House.

 

6.18 WE VIII/355
6.19 WE VIII/357

6.18 WE VIII/355 - Special Training School, No. 7
S.T.S. 4 in Winterfold, Cranleigh, Surrey, was renamed S.T.S. 7 on 23.07.1942. According to Major Forty, the Students Assessment Board began its work in June 1943. VIII/355/1 still organised the unit as a school, and it is unclear for which purpose the school, staying at the same location, was renumbered and got a different war establishment, the staff dropping from 38 all ranks to 16. When the school turned to its role as Students Assessment Board, the staff raised again to 29, augmented in the perfected form to 43.

Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/355/1, 23.07.1942 - 05.05.1943
2. VIII/355/2, 06.05.1943 - 04.10.1943
3. VIII/355/3, 05.10.1943 - 16.11.1944 (cancelled)


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/355/1, Special Training School No. 7,
23.07.1942 – 05.05.1943
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Instructor (captain)
1 Instructor (lieutenant)
2 Total, officers
1 Assistant instructor, Infantry (serjeant)
1 Serjeant
2 Total, serjeants
1 Clerk
1 Batman
2 Cooks, A.C.C.
2 Mess orderlies
2 Drivers, I.C.
1 Storeman
3 General dutymen
12 Total, rank and file (a)
14 Total, other ranks
16 Total, special training school No. 7

(a) In rank and file included:
1 Lance-corporal

(ii) Transport
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.


2. VIII/355/2 - Special Training School No. 7,
06.05.1943 – 04.10.1943
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (major)
2 Testing officers (captains)
1 Adjutant and quarter-master (a)
4 Total, officers
1 Serjeant, Intelligence Corps
1 Serjeant, Army Physical Training Corps
1 Serjeant, Administrative duties
3 Total, serjeants
Tradesmen
2 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Students’ mess
Non-tradesmen
1 Orderly for Officers’ mess
1 Orderly for Serjeants’ mess
1 Orderly for Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for Students’ mess
2 Drivers, I.C.
1 Storeman (non-technical)
3 General dutymen
5 Batmen
20 Total, rank and file (b)
23 Total, other ranks
27 Total, special training school, No. 7

Attached
1 Specialist psychiatrist, R.A.M.C. (major)
1 Serjeant tester, Personnel selection staff
2 Total, attached
29 Total, special training school, No. 7 (including attached)

(a) If a combatant officer, will be a subaltern
(b) In rank and file included:
2 Corporals
2 Lance-corporals

(ii) Transport
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

Note
All personnel of this establishment, except instructional staff, may be of low medical category.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/355/1.


3. VIII/355/3 - Special Training School No. 7,
05.10.1943 – 16.11.1944
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 President (lieutenant-colonel)
1 Deputy president (major)
3 Military testing officers (captains)
1 Adjutant and quarter-master (a)
1 Psychologist, captain
1 Psychologist, subaltern
2 Specialist psychiatrists, R.A.M.C. (majors)
10 Total, officers
1 Serjeant, Intelligence Corps
1 Serjeant, Army Physical Training Corps
1 Serjeant, Administrative duties
3 Serjeants, Testers
6 Total, serjeants
5 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for Other ranks’ mess
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Students’ mess
2 Drivers, I.C.
5 Batmen
3 General dutymen
1 Mess orderly for Officers’ mess
1 Mess orderly for Serjeants’ mess
1 Mess orderly for Rank and file mess
2 Mess orderlies for Students’ mess
1 Motor-cyclist
2 Storemen, non-technical
27 Total, rank and file (b)
33 Total, other ranks
43 Total, special training school, No. 7

(a) If a combatant officer, will be a subaltern
(b) In rank and file included:
2 Corporals
2 Lance-corporals

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.
Note
All administrative personnel of this establishment may be of low medical category.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/355/2.


As has been seen in the Official History of the Special Training Schools, the Students Assessment Board was introduced on the lines of the War Office Selection Boards. First thoughts on this plan had led to an agreement in April 1943, at a moment when the War Office just had changed its relevant war establishment:
- V/628/3 - War Office Selection Boards (O.C.T.Us.) was effective from 18.08.1942. It was superseded with effect from 25.02.1943 by two new war establishments, splitting the task of the former Board:
- V/849/1 - War Office Selection Boards (O.C.T.U.), and
- V/850/1 - Research and Training Centre, W.O.S.B. (O.C.T.U.)

To show the changes in the approach of the War Office to this task, these war establishments are compared with that for the Students Assessment Board (VIII/355/3, as shown above). Since V/628/3 according to its notes provides for 3 self-accounting boards but actually fills every function even 18 times (i.e. 18 presidents and so on), it is assumed, that every self-accounting board consisted of 6 teams. For better comparability, the figures of the war establishment are only given for a single team, unless otherwise indicated (+), as explained below the table. Figures marked (+) are added as the marks are for additional appointments explained below, and figures marked + are not added. No further subdivisions for attached or female (A.T.S.) personnel or trades and non-trades are made. Footnotes in the war establishments are omitted.

Column 1: V/628/3 (War Office until 24.02.1943)
Column 2: V/849/1 (War Office from 25.02.1943)
Column 3: V/850/1 (War Office from 25.02.1943)
Column 4: VIII/355/3 (S.O.E. from 05.10.1943)

Comparing War Office Selection Boards (1 – 3) with the S.O.E. Students Assessment Board (4)
(i) Personnel
1 - 1 - 1 - 1 President (W.O.: colonel; S.O.E: lieutenant-colonel)
1 - 1 - 1 - 1 Deputy president (W.O.: lieutenant-colonel; S.O.E: major)
3 - 4 - 7 - 3 Military testing officers (W.O.: lieutenant-colonels, majors, and captains; S.O.E.: 3 captains)
1 - 1 - 1 - 0 Administrative officer (staff lieutenant) (a)
+1 - 0 - 0 - 0 Adjutant and quarter-master (e)
0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Adjutant and quarter-master (a)
(+)1 - 1 - 1 - 1 Psychologist (W.O.: majors, captains or lieutenants; S.O.E.: captain)
0 - 0 - 5 - 1 Psychologist, subaltern
(+)1 - 1 - 3 - 2 Specialist psychiatrists, R.A.M.C. (W.O: majors and captains); S.O.E. 2 majors)
1 - 1- 0 - 0 Graded psychiatrist, R.A.M.C. (captain)
0 - 0 - 8 - 0 Personal selection officers (majors and captains)
9 - 10 - 27 - 10 Total, officers
1 - 1- 0 - 0 Company serjeant-major (warrant officer, class II)
1 - 1 - 0 - 0 Total, warrant officers
1 - 1 - 1- 0 Company quarter-master serjeant (staff-serjeant)
0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Serjeant, Intelligence Corps
0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Serjeant, Army Physical Training Corps
0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Serjeant, Administrative duties
2 - 2 - 8 - 3 Serjeants, Testers
1 - 1 - 1 - 0 Clerk, serjeant (A.T.S.)
1 - 1 - 1 - 0 Officers’ mess stewardess or caterer, A.T.S., serjeant
5 - 5 - 11 - 6 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
1 - 2 - 2 - 5 Clerks, R.A.S.C. (W.O.: 2 A.T.S.)
1 - 1 - 1 - 0 Shorthand typist, corporal or lance-corporal (W.O.: 1 A.T.S.)
2 - 2 - 7 - 0 Shorthand typists (W.O.: 2 A.T.S.)
0 - 1 - 1 - 0 Cook, A.T.S., lance-corporal
2 - 2 - 2 - 0 Cooks, A.T.S.
0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers’ mess
0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Cook, A.C.C., for Other ranks’ mess
0 - 0 - 0 - 2 Cooks, A.C.C., for Students’ mess
2 - 2 - 2 - 0 Assistant cooks, A.T.S.
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 Driver, A.T.S.
+3 - 0 - 0 - 2 Drivers, I.C.
5 - 5 - 0 - 0 Batwomen, A.T.S.
0 - 0 - 0 - 5 Batmen
0 - 0 - 0 - 3 General dutymen
2 - 2 - 2 - 0 Orderlies
6 - 0 - 0 - 0 Orderlies, A.T.S.
0 - 4 - 6 - 0 Orderlies, A.T.S., for Mess
0 - 4 - 12 - 0 Orderlies A.T.S., for House
0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Mess orderly for Officers’ mess
0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Mess orderly for Serjeants’ mess
0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Mess orderly for Rank and file mess
0 - 0 - 0 - 2 Mess orderlies for Students’ mess
0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Motor-cyclist
0 - 0 - 0 - 2 Storemen, non-technical
22 - 25 - 35 - 27 Total, rank and file (b)
28 - 31 - 46 - 33 Total, other ranks
37 - 41 - 73 - 43 Total, all ranks

(ii) Transport
0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Motor-cycle, solo
+3 - 0 - 0 - 1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 Car, 4-seater, 4 x 2
0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

No transport for V/849/1 and V/850/1, columns 2 and 3.


Breakdown of + marked numbers in column 1 above:
Column 1: Per all (18)
Column 2: Per board (6)
0 - 1 Adjutant and quarter-master
1 - 0 (+) In addition to number shown: Specialist psychiatrists, R.A.M.C. (lieutenant-colonel)
1 - 0 (+) In addition to number shown: Specialist psychiatrists, R.A.M.C. (lieutenant-colonel)
3 - 0 Drivers, I.C.
3 - 0 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2


--- --- ---


6.19 WE VIII/357 - Special Training Schools Nos. 21 to 25
The Para-military Schools of Group A.

Schools and Houses
S.T.S. 22: Rhubana Lodge, Morar, Inverness-shire, 01/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 22a: Glasnacardoch, Mallaig, Inverness-shire, 09/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 23: Meoble Lodge, Morar, Inverness-shire, 01/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 23b: Swordland, Tarbet Bay, Morar, Inverness-shire, 03/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 24a: Inverie House, Knoydart, Mallaig, Inverness-shire, 01/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 24b: Glaschoille, Knoydart, Mallaig, Inverness-shire, 11/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 25a: Garramor House, Morar, Inverness-shire, 02/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 25b: Camusdarach Lodge, Morar, Inverness-shire, 01/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 25c: Traigh House, Morar, Inverness-shire, 06/1941 – 10/1944


Summary of War Establishments
Predecessor war establishments: VIII/209/2 and VIII/210/2
1. VIII/357/1, 23.07.1942 – 29.09.1943
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/357/1, 24.08.1942
Successor war establishments: VIII/550/1 to VIII/554/1 for each school


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/357/1 - Special Training Schools Nos. 21 to 25,
23.07.1942 – 29.09.1943
Column 1: No. 21
Column 2: No. 22
Column 3: No. 23
Column 4: No. 24
Column 5: No. 25
(i) Personnel
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Commandant (lieutenant-colonel)
0 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 Commandant and chief-instructor (major)
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Chief instructor (major)
4 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Instructors (captains)
1 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 Instructors (lieutenants)
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Administrative officer (captain)
1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 Adjutant and quartermaster (subaltern; in S.T.S. No. 25: If a combatant officer, will be a lieutenant)
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Medical officer, R.A.M.C. (major, captain or lieutenant)
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Regimental quartermaster-serjeant (warrant officer)
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Assistant instructors R.E. (staff-serjeant)
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Assistant instructors R. Signals (staff-serjeant)
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Assistant instructors Infantry (staff-serjeant)
1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
0 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 Assistant instructors R.E. (serjeants)
0 - 2 - 3 - 3 - 2 Assistant instructors Infantry (serjeants)
1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 2 Instructors A.P.T.C. (serjeants)
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Clerk, R.A.S.C. (serjeant)
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Duty serjeant
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Fitter, M.V., R.A.S.C. (serjeant)
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Cook, A.C.C., Rank and file mess (serjeant)
0 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 Duty corporal
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C. (corporal)
1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 Regimental police (corporal)
0 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 Cook, A.C.C. for rank and file mess (corporal)
3 - 2 - 2 - 2 - 2 Clerks (in S.T.S. No. 21: includes 1 shorthand writer)
4 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 Batmen
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Butcher
1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 Cook, A.C.C., for Officers' mess
1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 Cook, A.C.C., for Serjeants' mess
2 - 2 - 4 - 4 - 5 Cooks, A.C.C., for Rank and file mess
2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 Orderlies for Officers' mess
1 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 1 Orderly for Serjeants' mess
3 - 3 - 6 - 6 - 6 Orderlies for Rank and file mess
6 - 2 - 1 - 0 - 2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Medical orderly, R.A.M.C.
2 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 2 Motor cyclist orderlies
6 - 6 - 10 - 10 - 13 Regimental police
1 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 Sanitary dutymen
2 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 Storemen
11 - 6 - 8 - 8 - 9 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
10 - 4 - 4 - 5 - 5 Total, officers
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Total, warrant officers
9 - 5 - 7 - 7 - 7 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
49 - 33 - 45 - 45 - 53 Total, rank and file
59 - 38 - 52 - 52 - 60 Total, other ranks
69 - 42 - 56 - 57 - 65 Total, special training schools Nos. 21 - 25

In total privates included:
1 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 2 Corporals
3 - 2 - 3 - 3 - 4 Lance-corporals

(ii) Transport
6 - 1 - 1 - 1 - 2 Motor-cycles, solo
1 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1 Cars, 2-seater, 4 x 2
3 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Cars, 4-seater, 4 x 2
3 - 1 - 1 - 0 - 1 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/209/2 in War Establishments Volume VIII.


1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/357/1 - Special Training Schools Nos. 21 to 25, 24.08.1942
Under (i) Personnel
Column 1: No. 21
Column 2: No. 22
Column 3: No. 23
Column 4: No. 24
Column 5: No. 25
for
4 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 Instructors (captains)
1 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 2 Instructors (lieutenants)
substitute
4 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Instructors (captains)
0 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 3 Instructors (captains or lieutenants)
1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 Instructors (lieutenants)

(Totals remain unchanged to VIII/357/1.)

 

6.20 WE VIII/362
6.21 WE VIII/368
6.22 WE VIII/458
6.23 WE VIII/465

6.20 WE VIII/362 - Special Training School No. 26
From the outset, this school belonged to the war establishment of the Arisaig group of schools, but it was not actually part of them and was located far away, in the Cairngorms, a region that was far better suited to preparing students for employment in Norway than the Arisaig region. While the schools of the Arisaig group trained agents from all Country Sections under the auspices of the Training Section, S.T.S. 26 was intended exclusively for the training of Norwegian agents, under their Country Section. A temporal connection at the time of their introduction and probably also the similar structural composition of the staff may have led to this summary, but perhaps also the S.O.E.'s own dynamics. With VIII/362/1, the school received its own war establishment.

As described in the Official History of the Training Section, it regulated the Norwegian training camp in the Cairngorms, where agents of the Norwegian Independent Company No. 1 (also known as Kompani Linge, after Captain Martin Linge) were trained in sabotage and guerrilla warfare.

The Houses
S.T.S. 26a: Drumintoul Lodge, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, 11/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 26b: Glenmore Lodge, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, 11/1941 – 10/1944

S.T.S. 26c: Forest Lodge, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, 11/1941 – 10/1944


Summary of War Establishments
Predecessor war establishment: VIII/210/2
1. VIII/362/1, 13.08.1942 - 08.07.1945 (cancelled)
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/362/1, 06.05.1943


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/362/1 - Special Training School, No. 26,
13.08.1942 - 08.07.1945
(Not an Army establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (major)
1 Assistant commandant (captain)
1 Instructor (captain)
1 Quartermaster (lieutenant)
4 Total, officers
1 Company quartermaster-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Duty serjeant
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C., serjeant
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C., corporal
3 Clerks, R.A.S.C., privates
2 Batmen
1 Cooks, A.C.C., for – Officers’ mess
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for – Rank and file mess
2 Orderlies for - Officers’ mess
2 Orderlies for - Rank and file mess
1 Driver, I.C., lance-corporal
6 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Storeman (corporal)
1 Regimental police, corporal
6 Regimental police
4 General dutymen
3 (Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants)
32 (Total, rank and file)
35 Total, other ranks
39 Total, special training school No. 26

(ii) Transport
2 Motor cycles
3 Cars, 2-seater, 4 x 2
4 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

This establishment supersedes the W.E. for Special Training School No. 26 on W.E. No. VIII/210/2.

Since, unusually, no motor-cyclists are shown, it is assumed that the motor-cycles were used by the regimental police and/or the officers and the company quartermaster-serjeant for transport between the houses.


1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/362/1 - Special Training School, No. 26, 06.05.1942
(Not an Army Establishment)
Under
(i) Personnel
add
1 Instructor (captain)
1 Driver, I.C.
Under
(ii) Transport
add
1 Lorry, 3-ton, 4 x 2, G.S.


--- --- ---


6.21 WE VIII/368 - Special Training School No. 50
The Houses
S.T.S. 50: Gorse Hill, Witley, Godalming, Surrey, from 05/1942

S.T.S. 50: Water Eaton Manor, Gosford and Water Eaton, Oxfordshire, until 06/1945

This was the last Finishing School to join Group B. The schools at Water Eaton Manor (initially S.T.S. 44) and Gorse Hill (initially S.T.S. 50) swapped numbers sometime between 16.01.1944 and 03.03.1944.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/368/1, 11.09.1942 - 06.09.1944
2. VIII/368/1, 07.09.1944 - 01.07.1945 (cancelled)
2a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/368/2, 28.02.1945, not available


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/368/1 - Special Training School No. 50,
11.09.1942 - 06.09.1944
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (captain)
1 Adjutant and quartermaster (subaltern)
2 Total, officers
1 Duty serjeant
1 Total, serjeants
1 Assistant instructor, Corporal, R.E.
1 Assistant instructor, Corporal, R. Signals
1 Assistant instructor, Corporal, Infantry
2 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
1 Batman
2 Cooks, A.C.C.
2 Mess orderlies
2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor cyclist orderly
4 Regimental police
1 Storeman
3 general dutymen
21 Total, rank and file (a)
22 Total, other ranks
24 Total, Special Training School No. 50 (b)

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

(iii) Weapons
3 Pistols, .38-inch
21 Rifles, .303-inch

(a) In rank and file included:
1 Corporal
2 Lance-corporals
(b) With the exception of instructors and assistant instructors personnel may be unfit for general service with fighting units.


2. VIII/368/2 - Special Training School No. 50,
07.09.1944 - 01.07.1945
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant and chief-instructor (major)
2 Instructors (captains or subalterns)
1 Adjutant and quarter-master (a)
4 Total, officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor, Serjeant, R.E.
2 Assistant instructors, Serjeants, Infantry
1 Assistant instructor, Serjeant, A.P.T.C.
5 Total, serjeants
2 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
1 Batman
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Officers’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Other ranks’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Students mess
1 Mess orderly, for – Officers’ mess
1 Mess orderly, for – Other ranks’ mess
1 Mess orderly, for – Students mess
2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor cyclist orderly
1 Storeman
6 general dutymen
19 Total, rank and file (b)
24 Total, other ranks
28 Total, Special Training School No. 50 (b)

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

(a) If a combatant officer, will be a subaltern
(b) In rank and file included:
1 Corporal
2 Lance-corporals
(b) With the exception of instructors and assistant instructors personnel may be unfit for general service with fighting units.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/368/1.


--- --- ---


6.22 WE VIII/458 - Special Training Schools Holding Unit No. 1
Major Forty doesn’t mention this Holding Unit. It should not be confused with the Holding Schools (S.T.S. 41 to 46 until January 1943) and the Operational Holding Schools (from January 1943 in Group C). In internal documents, this unit is also referred to as a “depot”, which should not be confused with the Preliminary Schools, which were originally established under this name (S.T.S. 1 to 6). S.O.E. used terms sparingly and initially tended to resort to common military terminology which was afterwards adapted to actual developments that were often not clear from the outset. This occasionally led to confusion.

Holding Unit or Depot?
The unit does not provide any privates, only 4 officers and 100 non-commissioned officers, the lowest rank being that of corporal. No students attached for training were mentioned either, which was quite common for Special Training Schools. In the British Army, the term “depot” was mainly used for storage establishments for goods of any kind (ordnance, supply, many kinds of stores, ammunition, petrol, vehicles, even remounts and many more), but it was also used in connection with personnel (Commandos, Guards, convalescents, …), sometimes in combination with the term “training”. An example from the Guards Depot (V/123/2, unchanged throughout the war): “Each company is designed to supply 136 partially trained men monthly to the Foot Guard training battalions. Recruits undergo training for eight weeks in the depot and are then transferred to a Foot Guards training battalion.” This regular Army unit held the soldiers to be trained on its establishment. An example from the Commando Depot (V/586/2, effective 27.11.1942 – 10.12.1943), later called Commando Basic Training Centre: “Monthly intake 200 for a training period of two months.” Issue 1 before read: “To deal with an intake of 250 recruits for commandos.” This special service unit did not hold the soldiers to be trained on its establishment, thus providing a high proportion of non-commissioned officers, 18 serjeant instructors and 14 assistant instructors, just like the S.O.E. Holding Unit. However, the units in both examples had a considerable proportion of personnel who were not directly attributed to training, most of them rank and file, so that a comparison seems not appropriate.

It can be assumed that this Holding Unit seems to follow the pattern of the regiments of the British Army. Holding units were intended to temporarily accommodate trained soldiers and keep them fit until they could be transferred to receiving units. And as we know, these cannot be agents, as they were assigned separately to the Operational Holding Schools, according to their nationality.

When this Holding Unit was introduced in March 1943, there were more than 30 schools that were either directly under the auspices of S.O.E.’s Training Section or employed British instructors if the schools were assigned to Country Sections (excluding Nos. 52, 53 and 54, as they worked under the auspices of the Signal Section, where special signals knowledge was required). Although they were not responsible for the Middle East, India and the Far East, the London Headquarters sent personnel to the respective S.O.E. representatives in these commands to help set up their schools and to work as instructors. In addition, the ongoing war took its toll with a considerable demand for manpower, from which even the instructors were not spared, and some of whom, after many months in this role, often longed for a mission. They often had to leave at short notice.

The most likely scenario is therefore that a pool of instructors and assistant instructors, who were either trained and prepared to fill vacancies in the schools or still had to be trained for this, was maintained in order to cope with the now considerable fluctuation.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/458/1, 15.04.1943 - 12.01.1945 (cancelled)


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/458/1 - Special Training Schools Holding Unit No. 1,
15.04.1943 - 12.01.1945
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Major
1 Captain
2 Subalterns
4 Total, officers
1 Company serjeant-major (warrant officer, class II)
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
38 Serjeants
40 (Total, warrant officers, staff-serjeants and serjeants)
10 Lance-serjeants
50 Corporals
60 (Total, rank and file)
100 Total, other ranks
104 Total, Special Training Schools Holding Unit No. 1


--- --- ---


6.23 WE VIII/465 - Special Training School No. 39
S.O.E.’s Propaganda School was set up at Wall Hall, Aldenham, Hertfordshire. It was the successor of S.T.P., a propaganda school run on civilian lines at Pertenhall, Bedfordshire, internally known as Hackett School after its commandant, and brought this training task into line with S.O.E. training establishments.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/465/1, 22.04.1943 - 28.06.1944 (cancelled)
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/465/1, 14.10.1943


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/465/1 - Special Training School No. 39,
22.04.1943 - 28.06.1944
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant and chief-instructor (major)
3 Instructors (captains)
1 Administrative officer (subaltern)
5 Total, officers
1 Assistant instructor (serjeant) (Infantry)
1 Serjeant (administrative duties)
2 (Total, serjeants)
2 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
1 Batman, for Officers
4 Batmen, for Student officers
1 A.C.C., Cook, for – Officers’ mess
1 A.C.C., Cook, for – Other ranks’ mess
1 A.C.C., Cook, for – Students mess
1 Mess orderly, for – Officers’ mess
1 Mess orderly, for – Other ranks’ mess
1 Mess orderly, for – Students mess
2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Storeman (non-technical)
3 general dutymen
20 (Total, rank and file)
22 Total, other ranks (a)
27 Total, Special Training School No. 39

(ii) Transport
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

(iii) Weapons
5 Pistols, .38-inch
11 Rifles, .303-inch
11 Machine carbines, Sten, 9 m.m.

(a) In rank and file included:
2 Corporals
2 Lance-corporals

Note
All personnel of this establishment except Instructional Staff may be of low medical category.


1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/465/1 - Special Training School No. 39, 14.10.1943
(Not an Army Establishment)
Add
1 Assistant instructor, R.E. (serjeant)
3 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
delete
1 Assistant instructor (infantry) (serjeant)

 

6.24 WE VIII/466
6.25 WE VIII/532
6.26 WE VIII/544
6.27 WE VIII/545
6.28 WE VIII/546
6.29 WE VIII/547

6.24 WE VIII/466 - Special Training School No. 63
School for the Polish Minorities Section (EU/P) at Warnham Court, Warnham, near Horsham, Sussex. It was used both as a training and holding establishment. Other than the comparable S.T.S. 49, this war establishment provided a commandant.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/466/1, 22.04.1943 - 20.06.1945 (cancelled)
1a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/466/1, 22.10.1943
1b - Amendment No. 2 to VIII/466/1, 30.08.1944, not available
2c - Amendment No. 3 to VIII/466/1, 21.02.1945, not available


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/466/1 - Special Training School No. 63,
22.04.1943 - 20.06.1945
(Not an Army Establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant and chief-instructor (major)
1 Instructor, Captain
1 Instructor, Lieutenant
1 Adjutant and quarter-master (b)
4 Total, officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor (serjeant) - Infantry
1 Assistant instructor (serjeant) – R.A.S.C.
1 Assistant instructor (serjeant) – A.P.T.C.
4 (Total, serjeants)
2 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
2 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Officers’ mess
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for – Other ranks’ mess
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for – Students mess
1 Orderly, for – Officers’ mess
2 Orderlies, for – Other ranks’ mess
2 Orderlies, for – Students mess
2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Sanitary dutyman
2 Storemen (non-technical)
4 General dutymen
23 (Total, rank and file)
27 Total, other ranks (a)
31 Total, Special Training School No. 63

(ii) Transport
6 Motor-cycles, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
1 Lorry, 3-ton, 4 x 2, G.S.

(iii) Weapons
4 Pistols, .38-inch
13 Rifles, .303-inch
14 Machine carbines, Sten, 9 m.m.

(a) In rank and file included:
2 Corporals
2 Lance-corporals
(b) If a combatant officer will be a subaltern

Note
All personnel of this establishment, except the instructional staff, may be of low medical category.

Since, unusually, no motor-cyclists are shown, it is assumed that the motor-cycles were used by the instructors and assistant instructors and the adjutant or the company quartermaster-serjeant.


1a Amendment No. 1 to VIII/466/1 - Special Training School No. 63, 28.10.1943
(Not an Army Establishment)
Under
(i) Personnel
Add
1 Instructor (subaltern, R. Signals)
1 Assistant instructor (serjeant), R. Signals
1 Assistant instructor (serjeant), Infantry
4 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Officers’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Serjeants’ mess
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for – Rank and file mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Students mess
2 Orderlies, for – Officers’ mess
1 Orderly, for – Students mess
4 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Medical officer’s orderly (lance-corporal)
2 General dutymen
delete
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for – Other ranks’ mess
Under
(ii) Transport
Add
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.
1 Lorry, 3-ton, 4 x 2, G.S.
5 (new Total, officers)
6 (new Total, serjeants)
40 (new Total, rank and file)
47 (new Total, other ranks)
51 (new Total, Special Training School No. 63)


--- --- ---


6.25 WE VIII/532 - Special Training School No. 40
The Reception Committee School was established at Howbury Hall, near Waterend, Bedfordshire. It formed part of Group C.


Summary of War Establishments
1. VIII/532/1, 09.09.1943 - 12.01.1944 (cancelled)
2. VIII/532/2, 13.01.1944 - 01.07.1945 (cancelled)
2a - Amendment No. 1 to VIII/532/2, effective 28.02.1945, not available


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/532/1 - Special Training School, No. 40,
09.09.1943 - 12.01.1944
(Not an Army establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (major)
1 Instructor, Captain, R. Signals
1 Instructor, Subaltern
3 Total, officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
2 Assistant instructors, Serjeants, R. Signals (operators, wireless and line)
3 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
6 Batmen
2 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
3 Drivers, I.C.
2 General dutymen
1 Instrument mechanic, R. Signals
1 Motor-cyclist
1 Storeman, non-technical
2 Mess orderlies, for – Officers’ mess
1 Mess orderly, for – Other ranks’ mess
19 Total, rank and file
22 Total, other ranks
25 Total, special training school, No. 40

Attached
2 A.C.C., Cooks, for – Officers’ mess
1 A.C.C., Cook, for – Other ranks’ mess
28 Total, special training school, No. 40 (including attached)

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
2 Cars, 2-seater, 4 x 2
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

Note
All personnel of this establishment, with the exception of instructional staff, may be of low medical category.


2. VIII/532/2 - Special Training School, No. 40,
13.01.1944 - 01.07.1945
(Not an Army establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (major)
1 Instructors, Captains
1 Instructors, Subalterns
5 Total, officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
2 Assistant instructors, Serjeants, R. Signals (operators, wireless and line)
3 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
9 Batmen
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C., Corporal
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C., Lance-corporal
2 Clerks, R.A.S.C.
6 Drivers, I.C.
4 General dutymen
1 Instrument mechanic, R. Signals
1 Motor-cyclist
1 Storeman, non-technical
2 Mess orderlies, for – Officers’ mess
1 Mess orderly, for – Other ranks’ mess
1 Mess orderly, for – Students’ mess
30 Total, rank and file
33 Total, other ranks
38 Total, special training school, No. 40

Attached
2 A.C.C., Cooks, for – Officers’ mess
1 A.C.C., Cook, for – Other ranks’ mess
1 A.C.C., Cook, for – Students’ mess
42 Total, special training school, No. 40 (including attached)

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
2 Cars, 2-seater, 4 x 2
4 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

Note
All personnel of this establishment, with the exception of instructional staff, may be of low medical category.

This establishment supersedes W.E. No. VIII/532/1


In both issues, there are more batmen than officers. This is an indication that the school expected a significant proportion of officers among the students.


--- --- ---


6.26 WE VIII/544 - Special Training School No. 32
Finishing School in Group B in the Beaulieu area, in three houses.

The Houses
S.T.S. 32a: Harford House, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire

S.T.S. 32b: Saltmarsh, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire

S.T.S. 32c: Blackbridge, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire


Summary of War Establishments
Predecessor war establishment: part of VIII/206/1
1. VIII/544/1, 30.09.1943 - 20.06.1945 (cancelled)


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/544/1 - Special Training School, No. 32,
30.09.1943 - 20.06.1945
(Not an Army establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (captain)
1 Total, officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
3 Total, staff-serjeants
1 Corporal
1 Clerk
4 Batmen
3 Cooks, A.C.C., for – Officers’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Rank and file mess
3 Orderlies, for – Officers’ mess
1 Orderly, for – Other ranks’ mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Storeman and sanitary dutyman
2 General dutymen
19 Total, rank and file (a)
20 Total, other ranks
21 Total, special training school, No. 32

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2

(a) Includes 3 lance-corporals.

Note
All personnel of this establishment may be of low medical category.


There are more batmen and cooks and orderlies for the officers’ mess than officers. This is an indication that the school expected a significant proportion of officers among the students.



--- --- ---


6.27 WE VIII/545 - Special Training School No. 33
Finishing School in Group B in the Beaulieu area, in the House on the Shore.


Summary of War Establishments
Predecessor war establishment: part of VIII/206/1
1. VIII/545/1, 30.09.1943 - 14.11.1944 (cancelled)
After two and a half months of closure, the school was reopened again, under a new war establishment.
Successor war establishment: VIII/994/1


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/545/1 - Special Training School, No. 33,
30.09.1943 - 14.11.1944
(Not an Army establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (captain)
1 Total, officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
3 Total, staff-serjeants
1 Corporal
1 Clerk
3 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Officers’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Rank and file mess
1 Orderly, for – Officers’ mess
1 Orderly, for – Other ranks’ mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Storeman and sanitary dutyman
2 General dutymen
14 Total, rank and file (a)
15 Total, other ranks
16 Total, special training school, No. 33

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2

(a) Includes 3 lance-corporals.

Note
All personnel of this establishment may be of low medical category.


There are more batmen than officers. This is an indication that the school expected a proportion of officers among the students.


--- --- ---


6.28 WE VIII/546 - Special Training School No. 34
Finishing School in Group B in the Beaulieu area, in The Drokes.


Summary of War Establishments
Predecessor war establishment: part of VIII/206/1
1. VIII/546/1, 30.09.1943 - 14.11.1944 (cancelled)
After two and a half months of closure, the school was reopened again, under a new war establishment.
Successor war establishment: VIII/994/1


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/546/1 - Special Training School, No. 34,
30.09.1943 - 14.11.1944
(Not an Army establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (captain)
1 Total, officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
3 Total, staff-serjeants
1 Corporal
1 Clerk
4 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Officers’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Rank and file mess
1 Orderly, for – Officers’ mess
1 Orderly, for – Other ranks’ mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Storeman and sanitary dutyman
2 General dutymen
15 Total, rank and file (a)
16 Total, other ranks
17 Total, special training school, No. 34

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2

(a) Includes 3 lance-corporals.

Note
All personnel of this establishment may be of low medical category.


There are more batmen than officers. This is an indication that the school expected a proportion of officers among the students.


--- --- ---


6.29 WE VIII/547 - Special Training School No. 35
Finishing School in Group B in the Beaulieu area, in The Vineyards, called “the pub”.


Summary of War Establishments
Predecessor war establishment: part of VIII/206/1
1. VIII/547/1, 30.09.1943 - 20.06.1945 (cancelled)


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/547/1 - Special Training School, No. 35,
30.09.1943 - 20.06.1945
(Not an Army establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (captain)
1 Total, officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
3 Total, staff-serjeants
1 Corporal
1 Clerk
3 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Officers’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Rank and file mess
1 Orderly, for – Officers’ mess
1 Orderly, for – Other ranks’ mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Storeman and sanitary dutyman
2 General dutymen
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
14 Total, rank and file (a)
15 Total, other ranks
16 Total, special training school, No. 35

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2

(a) Includes 3 lance-corporals.

Note
All personnel of this establishment may be of low medical category.


There are more batmen than officers. This is an indication that the school expected a proportion of officers among the students. The motor-cyclist orderly is not shown in the version of the TNA WO 24 series; the version in TNA HS 8/435 is corrected in that regard, with the sums accordingly. No amendment to this war establishment was promulgated. It is believed that the missing orderly was added during the printing process.

 

6.30 WE VIII/548
6.31 WE VIII/549
6.32 WE VIII/550
6.33 WE VIII/551
6.34 WE VIII/552

6.30 WE VIII/548 - Special Training School No. 36
Finishing School in Group B in the Beaulieu area, in Boarmans.


Summary of War Establishments
Predecessor war establishment: part of VIII/206/1
1. VIII/548/1, 30.09.1943 - 06.12.1944 (cancelled)


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/548/1 - Special Training School, No. 36,
30.09.1943 - 06.12.1944
(Not an Army establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (captain)
1 Total, officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Total, staff-serjeants
1 Corporal
1 Clerk
2 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Officers’ mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Rank and file mess
1 Orderly, for – Officers’ mess
1 Orderly, for – Other ranks’ mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Storeman and sanitary dutyman
2 General dutymen
12 Total, rank and file (a)
13 Total, other ranks
14 Total, special training school, No. 36

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2

(a) Includes 3 lance-corporals.

Note
All personnel of this establishment may be of low medical category.


There are more batmen than officers. This is an indication that the school expected a proportion of officers among the students. The motor-cyclist orderly is missing and not corrected in the TNA HS 8/435 version. The motor-cycle may have been used by the commandant or the company quarter-master-serjeant.


--- --- ---


6.31 WE VIII/549 - Special Training School No. 37
Finishing School in Group B in the Beaulieu area, in two houses.

The Houses
S.T.S. 37a: Warren House, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire

S.T.S. 37b: Clobb Gorse, Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire


Summary of War Establishments
Predecessor war establishment: part of VIII/206/1
1. VIII/549/1, 30.09.1943 - 25.10.1944 (cancelled)


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/549/1 - Special Training School, No. 37,
30.09.1943 - 25.10.1944
(Not an Army establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (captain)
1 Instructor (captain)
2 Total, officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Duty serjeant
2 Assistant instructors R.E. (serjeants)
4 Total, staff-serjeants
1 Clerk
4 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for – Officers’ mess
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for – Rank and file mess
1 Orderly, for – Officers’ mess
2 Orderlies, for – Other ranks’ mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Storeman and sanitary dutyman
4 General dutymen
18 Total, rank and file (a)
22 Total, other ranks
24 Total, special training school, No. 37

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
1 Car, 2-seater, 4 x 2

(a) Includes 3 lance-corporals.

Note
All personnel of this establishment except the instructional staff may be of low medical category.


There are more batmen than officers. This is an indication that the school expected a proportion of officers among the students.


--- --- ---


6.32 WE VIII/550 - Special Training School No. 21
Headquarters of the Group A Para-military Schools, Arisaig House, Arisaig, Inverness-shire. While all other schools of Group A were closed with effect from 31.10.1944, the headquarters got two more months for finishing works.


Summary of War Establishments
Predecessor war establishment: part of VIII/357/1
1. VIII/550/1, 30.09.1943 - 31.12.1944 (cancelled)


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/550/1 - Special Training School No. 21,
30.09.1943 – 31.12.1944
(Not an Army establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant (lieutenant-colonel)
1 Chief instructor (major)
4 Instructors (captains)
1 Instructor (lieutenant)
1 Administrative officer (captain)
1 Adjutant and quartermaster (a)
1 Medical officer, R.A.M.C. (major, captain or lieutenant)
10 Total, officers
1 Regimental quarter-master-serjeant (warrant officer, class II)
1 Total, warrant officers
1 Assistant instructor R.E. (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor R. Signals (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor Infantry (staff-serjeant)
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 A.P.T.C. instructor (serjeant)
1 Armourer serjeant, R.E.M.E.
1 Clerk, R.A.S.C. (serjeant)
1 Duty serjeant
1 Vehicle mechanic, R.A.S.C. (serjeant)
1 Cook, A.C.C., Rank and file mess (serjeant)
10 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
1 Nursing orderly, R.A.M.C. (corporal)
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C. (corporal)
2 Clerks (includes 1 shorthand-typist)
3 Batmen
1 Butchery dutyman
1 Cook, A.C.C., for - Officers' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for - Serjeants' mess
3 Cooks, A.C.C., for - Rank and file mess
2 Orderlies for - Officers' mess
1 Orderly for - Serjeants' mess
3 Orderlies for - Rank and file mess
5 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Motor-cyclist orderly
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Storeman
13 General dutymen (may be unfit for general service)
40 Total, rank and file (b)
51 Total, other ranks
61 Total, special training school No. 21

(ii) Transport
4 Motor-cycles, solo
2 Motor-cycles, combination
2 Cars, 2-seater, 4 x 2
1 Car, 4-seater, 4 x 2
2 Trucks, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

(a) If a combatant officer, will be a subaltern.
(b) Includes in addition to the ranks specifically allotted:
1 Corporal
3 Lance-corporals


--- --- ---


6.33 WE VIII/551 - Special Training School No. 22
Group A Para-military School in the Arisaig area.

The Houses
S.T.S. 22: Rhubana Lodge, Morar, Inverness-shire

S.T.S. 22a: Glasnacardoch Lodge, Mallaig, Inverness-shire


Summary of War Establishments
Predecessor war establishment: part of VIII/357/1
1. VIII/551/1, 30.09.1943 - 31.10.1944 (cancelled)


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/551/1 - Special Training School No. 22,
30.09.1943 – 31.10.1944
(Not an Army establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant and chief instructor (major)
2 Instructors (captains or subalterns)
1 Adjutant and quartermaster (a)
4 Total, officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor R.E. (serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor R. Signals (serjeant)
1 Assistant instructor Infantry (serjeant)
1 A.P.T.C. instructor (serjeant)
5 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
1 Duty corporal
1 Clerk
2 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for - Officers' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for - Serjeants' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., Corporal, for - Rank and file mess
2 Cooks, A.C.C., for - Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for - Officers' mess
1 Orderly for - Serjeants' mess
2 Orderlies for - Rank and file mess
2 Drivers, I.C., R.A.S.C.
1 Sanitary dutyman
1 Storeman
7 General dutymen
24 Total, rank and file (b)
29 Total, other ranks
33 Total, special training school No. 22

(ii) Transport
1 Motor-cycle, solo
1 Car, 4-seater, 4 x 2
1 Truck, 15-cwt., 4 x 2, G.S.

(a) If a combatant officer, will be a subaltern.
(b) Includes in addition to the ranks specifically allotted:
1 Corporal
2 Lance-corporals

Note:
All personnel of this establishment except instructional staff may be of low medical category.


--- --- ---


6.34 WE VIII/552 - Special Training School No. 23
Group A Para-military School in the Arisaig area.

The Houses
S.T.S. 23: Meoble Lodge, Morar, Inverness-shire

S.T.S. 23b: Swordland, Tarbet Bay, Morar, Inverness-shire


Summary of War Establishments
Predecessor war establishment: part of VIII/357/1
1. VIII/552/1, 30.09.1943 - 31.10.1944 (cancelled)


War Establishments in Detail
1. VIII/552/1 - Special Training School No. 23,
30.09.1943 – 31.10.1944
(Not an Army establishment)
(i) Personnel
1 Commandant and chief instructor (major)
2 Instructors (captains or subalterns)
1 Adjutant and quartermaster (a)
4 Total, officers
1 Company quarter-master-serjeant (staff-serjeant)
2 Assistant instructors, R.E. (serjeants)
1 Assistant instructor R. Signals (serjeant)
2 Assistant instructors Infantry (serjeants)
1 A.P.T.C. instructor (serjeant)
7 Total, staff-serjeants and serjeants
1 Duty corporal
1 Clerk
2 Batmen
1 Cook, A.C.C., for - Officers' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., for - Serjeants' mess
1 Cook, A.C.C., Corporal, for - Rank and file mess
3 Cooks, A.C.C., for - Rank and file mess
1 Orderly for - Officers' mess
1 Orderly for - Serjeants' mess
6 Orderlies for - Rank and file mess
1 Driver, I.C., R.A.S.C.
2 Sanitary dutymen
2 Storemen
9 General dutymen
32 Total, rank and file (b)
39 Total, other ranks
43 Total, special training school No. 23

(ii) Transport
1 Car, 4-seater, 4 x 2

(a) If a combatant officer, will be a subaltern.
(b) Includes in addition to the ranks specifically allotted:
1 Corporal
3 Lance-corporals

Note:
All personnel of this establishment except instructional staff may be of low medical category.