Tottington Manor Reveals Its Wartime Secrets

Jan. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Tottington was the Sussex headquarters of the Auxiliary Units, Churchill’s secret underground army. During World War II, Tottington played a role in the training of the Sussex Auxiliary Units. These brave men were set up to hamper a successful invasion by the German army. One large secret bunker exists under Tottington Manor, with many tunnels and escape routes into the fields.  Specially selected recruits were sworn to secrecy and in the event of an invasion would hide out in the bunkers. The tunnel network and bunkers remain unchanged since the War ended, complete with plumbing and Bakelite light-switches. Local historian and author Stewart Angell is preparing a film showing inside the tunnels to show on the day.  Stewart will also be giving a talk about Tottington’s wartime history. Tom Sykes, Cart’s founder member who has put together the history day says ‘I am extremely pleased with the interest shown and tickets sold out in just three days. We hope to repeat this event next year and are compiling a list, anyone interested in attending the next event can visit the CART website on www.coleshillhouse.com’

About Tottington Manor
Tottington Manor dates back to 1604 and following refurbishment offers light and spacious dining and accommodation combined with the warmth and charm of inglenook fireplaces and oak beams.  Tottington Manor Hotel has served the local community and been a popular wedding venue for many years. The Hotel was bought by Skylane Hotel Ltd Group in 2009 and after refurbishment opened in April 2010. The hotel is due to extend its banqueting and wedding facility in 2011 and has a restaurant offering a fish menu and traditional ‘Grandma’s Cooking’ menu.
Contact
Sara Calder-Jones
Tel: 07967 390398
Sara.calder-jones@tottingtonmanor.co.uk
www.tottingtonmanor.co.uk



About Coleshill Auxiliary Research Team (CART)
The Coleshill Auxiliary Research Team (CART) is a non-profit making organisation set up in June 2009 by Tom Sykes. The aim of CART is to research, document and preserve the important history of the Auxiliary Units.
Since June 2009 its website (www.coleshillhouse.com) has seen over 19,000 unique visitors and has attracted TV, Radio and national press attention and the group has many expert members. Most of these are authors on the subject or have a direct relation to the Auxiliary Unit. For further information about the Auxiliary Units and how you can help CART please go to the website, call 0872 045 9940 or email hq@coleshillhouse.com.
Additional Info on the Aux Units

70 years ago, during the darkest days of Britain’s lone fight against Nazi Germany, the threat of invasion was a very real one. With the army in utter confusion after Dunkirk, the recently introduced LDV (later renamed the Homeguard) was a key part of Britain’s defences. This Dad’s Army has been portrayed since the war as an unorganised group of elderly veterans, which stood little chance of making any impact on highly trained, experienced German soldiers.

However, amongst some of those that wore the uniform of the Home Guard was a ‘secret army’ each of whom were trained killers and demolition experts. The troops called Auxiliers were trained as ‘stay-behind’ units in the event of an invasion. Going to ground as the church bells sounded, the units would enter their underground bases and only come to the surface after the initial invading troops had passed over them. Usually at night, the Auxiliers would then disrupt the enemy supplies and reserve troops, helping to cut off those in the front line that were facing whatever defence the regular British army could put up.

These civilian volunteers were made up of all layers of society most of whom had an intimate knowledge of the local countryside; gamekeepers and poachers suddenly found themselves on the same side along with vicars, doctors and schoolteachers. They were all willing to leave their families, and give their lives - the average life expectancy of an Auxilier was predicted to have been two weeks after going into action - in order to defend their country. However, because of the secrecy of their mission not one of them got any official recognition and no public thanks. Many veterans never even let their closest family members know what they had been trained to do, so seriously did they take their signature on the Official Secrets Act.

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The Coleshill Auxiliary Research Team (CART) is a non-profit making organisation set up in June 2009 by Tom Sykes. The aim of CART is to research, document and preserve the important history of the Auxiliary Units.