Talk

The Secret Army within the Isle of Wight Home Guard by Sam Biles

16 July 2025
7pm
£7.5

Join us for a talk on Churchill’s secret WWII resistance network on the Isle of Wight with Sam Biles.

In the darkest days of WW2, when France had fallen and Britain stood alone against the threat of Nazi invasion, Winston Churchill set up a highly secret network of highly trained guerrilla militia across the mainland coast and on the Isle of Wight. Known as the GHQ Auxiliary Units, their task was to disappear and attack the German invaders from behind their lines with ruthless sabotage and assassination. Most never spoke of their training and exploits and only recently has the full extent of this - Churchill's Secret Resistance Army become known. Sam Biles, whose grandfather Harold was a member, will explain what happened with a particular emphasis on the Isle of Wight and some of the characters and locations involved.

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Visitor information

Address

Carisbrooke Castle Museum

Castle Hill, Newport, Isle Of Wight, PO30 1XY
01983 523112

Opening times

Spring (February half term to end March)

Open Tues-Sunday, 10.30-3.45 (last entry 3.30)

Summer (April to October)

Open 7 days, 10.30-4.45 (last entry 4.30)

Winter (from 1st Nov)

Saturday and Sunday only, 10.30-3.45 (last entry 3.30)

The Museum is closed on Dec 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st and Jan 1st.

 

Exclusions and safety measures

Admission to the Museum is included with the English Heritage entrance fee to Carisbrooke Castle. The English Heritage website gives further details of current prices.

Visitor information