With the return of Steven Knight’s war drama series SAS Rogue Heroes, many viewers are keen to know more about the real history of the show, including details about David Stirling (played by Connor Swindells), who founded the secretive branch of the British Army.

As the series shows, Stirling came up with new methods of warfare during World War II to outwit the Nazis by going close to enemy lines and sneaking up on them through the desert before melting away into the night.

What audience members may not know is the real-life Stirling was honoured for his heroic work with a road name in Surrey dedicated to him.

Stirling Drive is situated on the former Caterham Barracks and near the Guards’ Depot, which is now a residential area and is overseen by the Caterham Barracks Community Trust.

Along, with Stirling Drive there are various other road names on the complex dedicated to other soldiers and references to the site’s heritage, including Brigade Place and Coldstream Road.

Meanwhile, the former Guards’ Depot gymnasium used by soldiers and army personnel has now been converted into a community space.

However, the building’s rich history and legacy haven’t been forgotten with biographies celebrating famous soldiers, who were linked to the Guards’ Depot, having pride of place on the walls including Stirling.

Stirling trained at the Guards’ Depot in Caterham prior to the outbreak of World War II and was commissioned to the Scots Guard.

As depicted in SAS Rogue Heroes, he ended up on crutches after a disastrous parachute accident - he’d initially believed this was the best way to get behind the enemy quickly and discreetly.

But he never gave up on his attempts, leading to the formation of the SAS with German Field Marshall Rommel describing Stirling as “the phantom major” for his ability to get in and out of attacks on the enemy without leaving a trace.

Stirling was eventually captured initially by the Germans before an escape, but he was then recaptured by the Italians.

After four escape attempts, Stirling was transferred to Colditz Castle, but 15 months before this, his campaign with the SAS in North Africa had tremendous success.

The SAS under Stirling destroyed over 250 enemy aircrafts, various supply dumps as well as wrecking railway and telecommunications and enemy cars and vehicles.

The Guards’ Depot site was previously visited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1946 and again the following year, prior to her ascension to the throne.

The Duke of Edinburgh also paid a visit to the Guards’ Depot in 1954.

SAS Rogue Heroes season 2 is streaming on BBC iPlayer now

For more information about the Caterham Barracks and the Guards' Depot, please visit www.caterhambarracks.org.uk and theguardsdepot.co.uk