Who were the Auxiliers?

When war broke out in 1939, most fit and able men were called up for active duty. But for some, the war was not to be so straightforward. They were destined to live a completely secret life, as members of the British Resistance or the Auxiliers.

In peacetime they might have been farmers, mechanics, gamekeepers, butchers, labourers or miners. They were specially selected, very fit and very brave.

Training model still used today

Unbelievably, over 3,000 men were trained as Auxiliers at Coleshill. And their model of training – using small cells of six people working independently and in complete isolation from other groups - has been described as the precursor of modern-day warfare.

Was there an Auxilier in your family?

Check out the British Resistance Archive run by the Coleshill Auxiliary Research Team (CART), a not for profit organisation whose volunteers carry out and publish their research on the British Resistance. Find out more here: www.staybehinds.com

Coleshill House

In the Second World War, the House had a hidden history. Unknown to villagers, it was requisitioned to become the top secret training headquarters for the British Resistance or Auxiliary Unit.

Builders were finishing renovations in 1952, when the tragic fire broke out. Despite the efforts of firemen from three counties, it caused such massive damage that the house had to be demolished. The 60th anniversary of the loss of Coleshill House was commemorated with a special exhibition by artist Robert Stiby, who witnessed the blaze from his school, 20 miles away.

Go on a history walk

Fascinated by the Second World War? Why not visit the original underground training bunker and find out about the extraordinary lives of the Auxiliers during one of our guided Second World War history walks.