Ipswich: Do you know the secrets of Churchill's Army?

This ‘secret army’ was made up of the thousands of men who had stayed behind during the Second World War.  

With the threat of an invasion from Nazi Germany imminent, Churchill had created auxiliary units of volunteers. All were required to sign the Official Secrets Act. 

Gareath Evans is a researcher for the Stay Behinds project, which aims to trace the lives of these men. Although a German invasion never took place, he said the men were nevertheless prepared to die for their country. 

The Ipswich 1 Patrol of the Suffolk Auxiliary Unit - or, Churchill's Secret Army, as they are sometimes known. Credit: Gareath Evans (Image: Gareath Evans)

Mr Gareath Evans is hoping that the people of Ipswich might help him uncover the hidden history of 'Churchill's Secret Army'. Credit: Gareath Evans (Image: Gareath Evans)

“Should an invasion have happened, their life expectancy was 12 days,” said Mr Evans. 

“They would have been behind enemy lines, and undoubtedly the enemy would have found them 

The patrols were known as the ‘stay behinds’. 

“Their mission was to go to ground,” said Mr Evans. “They had enough provisions for two weeks, and they would come out at night and sabotage. 

“They were taught close-hand combat and how to use explosives. 

“For example, my grandad lived behind Ipswich station, and his mission would have been to blow up the railway lines so the Germans couldn’t use them.” 

Mr Evan’s grandfather was Claude Albert Reginald Riches, who enlisted in the Ipswich 2 division. Mr Evans said that Suffolk had 34 patrols of about five to eight men. 

The Ipswich 2 Patrol of the Suffolk Auxiliary Unit - or, Churchill's Secret Army, as they are sometimes known. Credit: Gareath Evans (Image: Gareath Evans)

Suffolk Group 5 of 'Churchill's Secret Army' . Credit: Gareath Evans (Image: Gareath Evans)

Each patrol had its own secret bunker, known as an operational base (OB), which would have been “packed full of explosives”. 

“They were hidden. You could be standing on top of one, and not know it was there,” said Mr Evans. 

He is now hoping that the children and grandchildren of these ‘stay behinds’ will come forward, to help the project fill in the remaining gaps of this hidden history. 

“Most of the bases in Suffolk are known, apart from the Ipswich 1 patrol,” said Mr Evans. 

“We believe that it was in the Bramford area of the town, because the men lived around that area. 

“Someone might think, I remember playing in a bunker that we found in the woods in the ‘70s. It all helps with the research.” 

Can you help the Stay Behinds project? To get in touch, visit: www.staybehinds.com