Secret Army stands down with pride (From Western Telegraph)

Secret Army stands down with pride

DURING 1942 the defences of Britain had greatly improved and although there was no real reason for retaining the Auxiliary Units it was felt that to stand them down was premature.

Hitler had decided to invade Russia, but should he achieve victory in the East then he might yet attack Britain.

To maintain a high level of enthusiasm the individual patrols competed with each other on the rifle ranges, throwing grenades, and night patrols. In each county there were competitions, and the winners then went to the headquarters at Coleshill, near Swindon, for the national championships. Somehow the individual patrol's security remained intact.

After the Normandy landings in June 1944 the Allies were making excellent progress, and on November 18th, 1944, the following announcement was made: "In view of the improved war situation, it had been decided by the War Office that the Operational Branch of the Auxiliary Units shall stand down, and the time has now come to put an end to an organisation which could have been of inestimable value to this country in the event of invasion. All ranks are aware of the secret nature of their duties, and for that reason it has not been possible for them to receive publicity, nor will it be possible even now. So, far from considering this to be a misfortune, I should like all members of the Auxiliary Units to regard it as a matter of special pride. I have been much impressed by the devotion to duty and high standards of training shown by all ranks. In view of the fact that your lives depended on secrecy no public recognition will be possible. But those in the most responsible positions at General Headquarters know what was done, and what you would have done if you had been called upon. They know it well. It will not be forgotten."

In 1996 an article in 'The Times' highlighted the injustice, and some pressure was brought on the Government to rectify this omission. After a lapse of over 50 years it was decided to award all the Auxiliary Units with the Defence Medal.

Very few were actually presented - the Secret Army retained its secrecy: Many members had already died without revealing their involvement.

The lack of written records exacerbated the difficulties. One local member was refused the medal on the grounds that there was no proof that he had ever been in the Secret Army! One local Group leader's medal arrived two years after he had died.