Patchett

[mattgibbs]

Hello there.
First of all I would like to say that in my request for information, users do not simply tell me to go and look for the Guns of Dagenham book. I know about the book and its obviously written by a competent person. I have it on order from the library but for what I need I don't want to spend £40 on another book!

What I am after is sources of information or facts about the use of the Patchett prototypes, 120 I believe, that were issued to troops, [airborne??] how long they had them and what they did with them, did they go to Arnhem etc? Numbers produced would also be useful. Trying to de-bunk a few myths.

Many thanks.
Matt Gibbs

[horsa (David Gordon)]

Hey Matt,

Can't offer anything to help at the moment but I'd be very interested in the information that you come across in your quest. The Dagenham book won't help very much in what you want to know as it only briefly touches on this design and doesn't go into practical field use.

I've had a lot of people ask why I didn't include this design in the "other sub guns" chapter in Tommy Weapons book but I really consider it more on the experimental side for WWII so didn't plan on covering it originally. Still would be curious to learn more on it as all I've ever heard is the trials at Arnhem with the airborne but no specifics.

[woodsy]

Hi Matt

Peter Laidler in "The Guns of Dagenham" on p54 has looked at the question of how many Patchetts went to Arnhem with following facts;

George Patchett stated in writing the the gun was used during the war 'by British Commando units...."

Sterling comapny literature stated "a few early models were brought into service just before the end of World War II." Another company publication stated :Limited quantities saw service in Europe before the end of World War II."

Peter then states that Tommy Fitch, an Arnhem survivor annd former curator of the Airbourne Forces Museum, told him that six were used at Arnhem.

Peter's research through the records revealed that four guns were sent to the Airbourne Forces Development Centre and only one can now be accounted for. It would appear that three guns (#067, 070, and 072) could have been the guns that went, and never returned. The fourth gun (#062) is now in the Pattern Room collection.

A family friend, now living in NZ, and a survivor of Arnhem told me that all he saw in action around him were No.4 rifles, Mk V Stens, Brens and 2" mortars, he being armed with a rifle. I showed him pictures of the Patchett and the Mk V, and he had never seen a Patchett.

Good luck with your research! ;D

[mattgibbs]

Thanks, David and Woodsy!
I know this will not be easy. A friend of mine making a replica has been in touch with an Airbourne vet who used one. I am still trying to track down his name.
Apparently the story goes they had an evaluation card of some kind for their pocket, with various comments to be made and a report to be made and handed back at the end of the operation. Apparently this was duly done, in this case. When I find out more I shall let you know. Hope to see the chap at the weekend! Incidentally, I was hoping to learn something big off you "luminary" chaps with loads more knowlege than me [joking] I shall report soon.
Thanks
Matt