The Roughnecks of Sherwood Forest: Unsung Heroes of WWII

In the heart of England’s Sherwood Forest, a group of 42 American oil workers carved their place in history during World War II. These men, known as the Roughnecks of Sherwood Forest, embarked on a secret mission that would prove critical to the Allied war effort. This extraordinary tale of grit, determination, and ingenuity stands as a testament to the pivotal role of oil and the oilmen who produced it in the outcome of the war.

A Desperate Situation

By 1942, Britain faced an oil crisis of catastrophic proportions. German U-boats relentlessly targeted Allied supply convoys, sinking tankers and severing critical fuel lifelines. British oil reserves dipped two million barrels below the safety threshold, jeopardizing the war effort.

An emergency meeting of the Oil Control Board revealed a surprising resource: an oilfield in Sherwood Forest that had been modestly producing oil since its discovery in 1939. However, with limited equipment and manpower, the field's potential was untapped. British Secretary of Petroleum Geoffrey Lloyd turned to America for help.

The Call to Action

In a bold move, D’Arcy Exploration’s Phillip Southwell traveled to the United States to seek assistance. After a series of negotiations, Lloyd Noble of Noble Drilling and Frank Porter of Fain-Porter Drilling agreed to take on the challenge. Their companies would drill 100 new wells in Sherwood Forest at cost, with no profit, as their contribution to the war effort.

“Stirred by patriotic fervor, unable to resist the lure of a challenge, Noble and Porter committed to the venture,” historian Jim Day recounts.

Secret Mission to England

In March 1943, the Roughnecks boarded the converted troopship HMS Queen Elizabeth under the guise of a secretive operation. The influx of Americans into the English countryside was rumored to be for a Western movie, sparking whispers that John Wayne might soon arrive.

The team stayed at Kelham Hall, an Anglican monastery near the oilfield, working 12-hour shifts to maximize production. They amazed their British counterparts with their speed and innovation, drilling an average of one well per week compared to the British pace of one well every five weeks. By the end of their mission in March 1944, the Americans had completed 106 wells, boosting the field’s output from 300 barrels per day to over 3,000.

Sacrifice and Success

The Roughnecks’ efforts were not without cost. Derrickman Herman Douthit lost his life during the operation and was buried with full military honors in Cambridge, England. Despite the dangers, their work contributed more than 1.2 million barrels of oil to the war effort, fueling Allied aircraft and vehicles in critical campaigns.

Commemorating the Oil Patch Warriors

The Roughnecks’ story remained classified until the 1973 publication of The Secret of Sherwood Forest by Guy and Grace Woodward. Since then, their legacy has been honored with two identical statues: one in Dukes Wood, Nottinghamshire, and the other in Ardmore, Oklahoma.

Designed by artist Jay O’Meilia, the statues depict a roughneck at parade rest, wielding a Stillson wrench instead of a rifle. "The notion of an ‘oil patch warrior’ soon developed," O’Meilia explained, emphasizing the blend of military and industrial strength that defined these men.

A Legacy Remembered

The Roughnecks of Sherwood Forest embody the resilience and ingenuity that defined the oil industry’s contribution to the war. Their story is a powerful reminder of the vital role energy plays in shaping history. Today, their efforts are immortalized in bronze, ensuring that future generations remember the unsung heroes who drilled for victory in England’s darkest hour.

For those inspired by this tale of determination, visit the statues in Dukes Wood or Ardmore, and raise a cup of coffee to the Roughnecks who proved that even in war, oil was the lifeblood of freedom.