Artist Harvey Graver with author Phil Hadley by the original watercolour of the cover. Photo by Barney Trevivian
New Book - 'No Small Stir' a work of fiction based on Cornwall's Railways during the war. For a full press release please go to the end of Phil's diary - scroll down.
CORNISH RAILWAYS
WORLD WAR TWO DIARY
Compiled by Phil Hadley
IF YOU CAN SUPPLY ANY MORE PHOTOGRAPHS OR INFORMATION PHIL HADLEY WOULD BE MOST GRATEFUL.
Part 1 1939
Friday 1st September 1939
The 6:30am from Paddington, headed Evacuation Train No 103, brought 544 children and their teachers to St Austell station where they are met by Lady Vivian of Glynn House, Bodmin and her team of W.A.S. women. WB
The Railway Executive Committee was given its formal powers by the signing of the Emergency (Railway Control) order. Their headquarters were in the closed Down Street Station on the Piccadilly Line, deep underground. GWR
Saturday 2nd September
An evacuation train of 12 coaches arrived 20 minutes ahead of schedule at Camborne bringing 960 arrivals including a large number of mothers with young children and expectant mothers. Among the number were 300 children from Maida Vale High School for Girls & Marylebone Grammar School for Boys. WB
Sunday 3rd September
A train with its identification number of 116 painted boldly across the front of the engine boiler brought to Truro 230 children and mothers from Acton to be billeted in the Truro area with another 159 changing onto buses to head for Penryn. WB
Tuesday 5th September
Military ambulance trains and civilian evacuation trains all fitted up and ready for service. The GWR has 6, the SR 3. Most are based in London. RM
Monday 11th September
The Railway Executive Committee put the railways of Britain on a wartime footing. Passengers were informed by a poster warning Passenger Train Services will be considerably curtailed and decelerated, Reduced Fare Facilities were cancelled, the reservation of seats and compartments was discontinued and Restaurant Car facilities were withdrawn. GWR
Monday 25th September
The GWR’s evacuation timetable comes to an end. GWR
The full emergency service begins on the GWR and LMSR. RM
The maximum permitted speed for trains was raised from 60 to 75 mph with the schedules and timetables being adjusted to take account of this. GWR services were also reinstated via Westbury rather than the ‘Great Way Round’ via Bristol. GWR.
This had little impact on journeys within Cornwall as the curves and banks usually prohibited the speed anyway.
Prior to these changes the best time from Paddington to Penzance had increased by 125 minutes on its pre-war norm to 8 hours 35 minutes, while the total number of trains in both directions decreased from nine to six. GWR
Monday 16th October
Restaurant Car services were reintroduced on the GWR after light-proof curtains had been fitted. GWR
The full emergency service begins on the SR, the last of the Big Four to do so. RM
Sunday 1st December
The GWR started their series of specials to allow parents to visit their evacuated children. 4,000 parents were carried on this day and numbers increased during the month as these proved very popular. GWR
Part 2 1940
Monday 1st January 1940
Lostwithiel to Fowey branch line closes to passenger traffic to allow for military use. (Wikipedia – citation needed). Passengers for Fowey would have to go via St Blazey. It is believed the port of Fowey was used to transport ammunition to France. After Dunkirk Britain’s supply of chemical weapons which had been taken to France was brought back through Fowey. It is possible these were stored at Woodgate Pill until safe passage and storage were arranged upcountry. I am still looking for documentary evidence to confirm this.
Undated May
The Railway Executive Committee raised fares by 10%, both to urge against travel and to cover the mounting costs of the railway. (GWR Handbook 1923-1947 by David Wragg)
Monday 13th May
The government cancelled the Whitsun holiday since the Germans were sweeping through the Low Countries and into France. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Thursday 13th June
Evacuation train arrives from London in Penzance. CM
Saturday 15th June
Evacuation train arrives from London in Penzance. Many of these children from a Roman Catholic school were bused the following morning to Hayle. CM
Sunday 16th June
An evacuation train from Vauxhall to North Cornwall intended for 600 passengers only carried 417 children and 32 adults as many parents changed their minds at the last minute and kept their children. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
The train arrived at Bude about 7pm when several hundred tired children and teachers detrained at the station and were shepherded into Cann Medlands Garage where a real Cornish meal was provided and the children were medically examined. Around 30 of the children from a primary school in Croydon found themselves billeted in Week St Mary. (Week St Mary Village Community website)
Tuesday 18th June
A train to London carried, under guard by Polish soldiers, the Wawel Treasures. The state art collection from the Royal Castle of Wawel in Krakow, Poland arrived in Falmouth on the ship Chorzow having left Bordeaux on the 15th to escape the advancing German army. The treasures include the Coronation Sword and were taken by train from Falmouth to the Polish Embassy in London and then on to Canada for safe-keeping.
WORLD WAR TWO DIARY
Compiled by Phil Hadley
IF YOU CAN SUPPLY ANY MORE PHOTOGRAPHS OR INFORMATION PHIL HADLEY WOULD BE MOST GRATEFUL.
Part 1 1939
Friday 1st September 1939
The 6:30am from Paddington, headed Evacuation Train No 103, brought 544 children and their teachers to St Austell station where they are met by Lady Vivian of Glynn House, Bodmin and her team of W.A.S. women. WB
The Railway Executive Committee was given its formal powers by the signing of the Emergency (Railway Control) order. Their headquarters were in the closed Down Street Station on the Piccadilly Line, deep underground. GWR
Saturday 2nd September
An evacuation train of 12 coaches arrived 20 minutes ahead of schedule at Camborne bringing 960 arrivals including a large number of mothers with young children and expectant mothers. Among the number were 300 children from Maida Vale High School for Girls & Marylebone Grammar School for Boys. WB
Sunday 3rd September
A train with its identification number of 116 painted boldly across the front of the engine boiler brought to Truro 230 children and mothers from Acton to be billeted in the Truro area with another 159 changing onto buses to head for Penryn. WB
Tuesday 5th September
Military ambulance trains and civilian evacuation trains all fitted up and ready for service. The GWR has 6, the SR 3. Most are based in London. RM
Monday 11th September
The Railway Executive Committee put the railways of Britain on a wartime footing. Passengers were informed by a poster warning Passenger Train Services will be considerably curtailed and decelerated, Reduced Fare Facilities were cancelled, the reservation of seats and compartments was discontinued and Restaurant Car facilities were withdrawn. GWR
Monday 25th September
The GWR’s evacuation timetable comes to an end. GWR
The full emergency service begins on the GWR and LMSR. RM
The maximum permitted speed for trains was raised from 60 to 75 mph with the schedules and timetables being adjusted to take account of this. GWR services were also reinstated via Westbury rather than the ‘Great Way Round’ via Bristol. GWR.
This had little impact on journeys within Cornwall as the curves and banks usually prohibited the speed anyway.
Prior to these changes the best time from Paddington to Penzance had increased by 125 minutes on its pre-war norm to 8 hours 35 minutes, while the total number of trains in both directions decreased from nine to six. GWR
Monday 16th October
Restaurant Car services were reintroduced on the GWR after light-proof curtains had been fitted. GWR
The full emergency service begins on the SR, the last of the Big Four to do so. RM
Sunday 1st December
The GWR started their series of specials to allow parents to visit their evacuated children. 4,000 parents were carried on this day and numbers increased during the month as these proved very popular. GWR
Part 2 1940
Monday 1st January 1940
Lostwithiel to Fowey branch line closes to passenger traffic to allow for military use. (Wikipedia – citation needed). Passengers for Fowey would have to go via St Blazey. It is believed the port of Fowey was used to transport ammunition to France. After Dunkirk Britain’s supply of chemical weapons which had been taken to France was brought back through Fowey. It is possible these were stored at Woodgate Pill until safe passage and storage were arranged upcountry. I am still looking for documentary evidence to confirm this.
Undated May
The Railway Executive Committee raised fares by 10%, both to urge against travel and to cover the mounting costs of the railway. (GWR Handbook 1923-1947 by David Wragg)
Monday 13th May
The government cancelled the Whitsun holiday since the Germans were sweeping through the Low Countries and into France. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Thursday 13th June
Evacuation train arrives from London in Penzance. CM
Saturday 15th June
Evacuation train arrives from London in Penzance. Many of these children from a Roman Catholic school were bused the following morning to Hayle. CM
Sunday 16th June
An evacuation train from Vauxhall to North Cornwall intended for 600 passengers only carried 417 children and 32 adults as many parents changed their minds at the last minute and kept their children. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
The train arrived at Bude about 7pm when several hundred tired children and teachers detrained at the station and were shepherded into Cann Medlands Garage where a real Cornish meal was provided and the children were medically examined. Around 30 of the children from a primary school in Croydon found themselves billeted in Week St Mary. (Week St Mary Village Community website)
Tuesday 18th June
A train to London carried, under guard by Polish soldiers, the Wawel Treasures. The state art collection from the Royal Castle of Wawel in Krakow, Poland arrived in Falmouth on the ship Chorzow having left Bordeaux on the 15th to escape the advancing German army. The treasures include the Coronation Sword and were taken by train from Falmouth to the Polish Embassy in London and then on to Canada for safe-keeping.
Wawel Treasure Coronation Sword passed thru Falmouth June 1940. Picture from the Phil Hadley Collection
BEF Troops being given food on the Falmouth branch. June 1940 From the Phil Hadley Collection
Friday 21st June
A special train left Falmouth in the evening carrying some of the world’s top scientists and the world’s entire supply of heavy water which had been brought from Norway via France to prevent it falling into the hand of the Nazis. Lord Suffolk, on a mission to rescue top French scientists from France, rounded up a number including Hans van Halban, a German born Jewish physicist who had escaped with the heavy water out of Paris. Lord Suffolk commandeered the SS Broompark to carry the jerry cans containing the 52 gallons to Cornwall. In the overnight train from Falmouth to Paddington the heavy water was in the baggage van under military guard. Once the UK government was informed of their coup, it was hidden with the Crown Jewels at Windsor Castle, until being shipped out to Canada later in the year. This one action meant it was the Allies and not the Nazis who developed the nuclear bomb first.
Undated June
The GWR issued special instructions for the running of ammunition trains and petrol (aircraft fuel) trains.
The GWR tender ‘Sir John Hawkins’, usually based in Plymouth Sound, took part in Operation Ariel, the evacuation of troops from France after Dunkirk, bringing troops back to Millbay Docks in Plymouth.
The GWR ran 200 special trains from Plymouth and the Cornish ports to transport the returning military personnel back to their bases.
Undated July
Armoured Train D arrives to support the defence of the Bodmin Stop Line. It is powered by a LNER F4 class 2 4 2T engine. Bob Gregson, a private in the Royal Engineers, was the fireman & later became the driver. The train was originally manned by the Tank Corps but the role was soon taken over by Polish troops. A locomotive for the train was kept in steam at all times until May 1941. Based at Wadebridge, the train covered all the lines from Padstow to Bodmin Road, down the main line to Lostwithiel and down the branch line to Fowey.
A special train left Falmouth in the evening carrying some of the world’s top scientists and the world’s entire supply of heavy water which had been brought from Norway via France to prevent it falling into the hand of the Nazis. Lord Suffolk, on a mission to rescue top French scientists from France, rounded up a number including Hans van Halban, a German born Jewish physicist who had escaped with the heavy water out of Paris. Lord Suffolk commandeered the SS Broompark to carry the jerry cans containing the 52 gallons to Cornwall. In the overnight train from Falmouth to Paddington the heavy water was in the baggage van under military guard. Once the UK government was informed of their coup, it was hidden with the Crown Jewels at Windsor Castle, until being shipped out to Canada later in the year. This one action meant it was the Allies and not the Nazis who developed the nuclear bomb first.
Undated June
The GWR issued special instructions for the running of ammunition trains and petrol (aircraft fuel) trains.
The GWR tender ‘Sir John Hawkins’, usually based in Plymouth Sound, took part in Operation Ariel, the evacuation of troops from France after Dunkirk, bringing troops back to Millbay Docks in Plymouth.
The GWR ran 200 special trains from Plymouth and the Cornish ports to transport the returning military personnel back to their bases.
Undated July
Armoured Train D arrives to support the defence of the Bodmin Stop Line. It is powered by a LNER F4 class 2 4 2T engine. Bob Gregson, a private in the Royal Engineers, was the fireman & later became the driver. The train was originally manned by the Tank Corps but the role was soon taken over by Polish troops. A locomotive for the train was kept in steam at all times until May 1941. Based at Wadebridge, the train covered all the lines from Padstow to Bodmin Road, down the main line to Lostwithiel and down the branch line to Fowey.
Wadebridge Armoured Train 1941 Permission kindly granted by Maurice Dart. His collection
Monday 8th July
In Falmouth Police Supt Norrish reports “4 bombs dropped. 2 in water near Western Breakwater, 1 practically on edge of Eastern Breakwater, 1 on docks property – made a large crater and knocked over 2 railway trucks. No casualties.” PWD
Tuesday 9th July
The guns for St Catherine’s Fort, Fowey, which had been delivered by rail to Fowey Goods Yard at the end of June were taken by lorry to the fort. (Fort Record Book)
Thursday 11th July
Two DELs (searchlights) & 2 Lister generators on trailers which had been delivered by rail to Fowey Goods Yard early in July were taken by lorry from the station. (Fort Record Book)
Sunday 21st July
“4 bombs dropped at 0229 on Falmouth Docks, 2 in water, 2 on Western Wharf. The Dock Railway was damaged and Stevedores’ hut was demolished.” (Falmouth Air Raid Book.)
Tuesday 20th August
An evening bombing raid on the station and locomotive depot at Newton Abbot caused severe delays to GWR services running into Cornwall. Four railway staff & 10 members of the public were killed with 29 seriously injured and considerable damage done to the trackwork, station buildings and rolling stock. Tiny, Brunel’s broad-gauge locomotive displayed on the down platform escaped unscathed. GWR
Saturday 7th September
On the day the London Blitz began a high explosive bomb hit the approaches to Waterloo, penetrating the brick viaduct before exploding and causing so much damage that the station had to be closed. Two lines reopened on the 19th and normal operations resumed on 1st October. Services to North Cornwall were seriously hampered during this time. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Wednesday 2nd October
An early morning raid in Penzance saw part of a store and Hoskings garage demolished. The blast damaged the railway station and many houses and buildings nearby lost their glass. WBF
Friday 11th October
“One bomb, an oil bomb, failed to ignite at Blankednick Farm, Perranworthal, only about 150 yards from the Truro – Falmouth railway.” WBF
Monday 14th October
The Monday evening edition of the West Briton reported “A fatal accident occurred at Falmouth Docks this morning. Mr Edmund Vincent Pascoe, age 46, of 27 Bar Terrace, Falmouth was caught between two goods trucks on the Docks goods line and suffered such injuries that he died soon afterwards.” He was a former 100 yard Cornish Champion and a wing-threequarter at rugby for Cornwall. He left a widow and a daughter Shelia. WB/FP
Monday 4th November
The crash on the down line at Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton killing the fireman and 26 passengers of a train that went through catch points and derailed at 40 mph caused severe delays for trains in and out of Cornwall.
Saturday 7th December
For the four weeks ending on this day the average lateness for GWR West of England services was no less than 105.44 minutes. The average for passenger trains to the West of England for the whole of 1940 was 45.80 minutes late. In 1938 it was just 5.2 minutes late.GWR
Sunday 29th December
On the night termed ‘The Second Great Fire of London’ Waterloo had to close for a time because of incendiary bombs. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg) This caused disruption on services to and from North Cornwall for several days.
In Falmouth Police Supt Norrish reports “4 bombs dropped. 2 in water near Western Breakwater, 1 practically on edge of Eastern Breakwater, 1 on docks property – made a large crater and knocked over 2 railway trucks. No casualties.” PWD
Tuesday 9th July
The guns for St Catherine’s Fort, Fowey, which had been delivered by rail to Fowey Goods Yard at the end of June were taken by lorry to the fort. (Fort Record Book)
Thursday 11th July
Two DELs (searchlights) & 2 Lister generators on trailers which had been delivered by rail to Fowey Goods Yard early in July were taken by lorry from the station. (Fort Record Book)
Sunday 21st July
“4 bombs dropped at 0229 on Falmouth Docks, 2 in water, 2 on Western Wharf. The Dock Railway was damaged and Stevedores’ hut was demolished.” (Falmouth Air Raid Book.)
Tuesday 20th August
An evening bombing raid on the station and locomotive depot at Newton Abbot caused severe delays to GWR services running into Cornwall. Four railway staff & 10 members of the public were killed with 29 seriously injured and considerable damage done to the trackwork, station buildings and rolling stock. Tiny, Brunel’s broad-gauge locomotive displayed on the down platform escaped unscathed. GWR
Saturday 7th September
On the day the London Blitz began a high explosive bomb hit the approaches to Waterloo, penetrating the brick viaduct before exploding and causing so much damage that the station had to be closed. Two lines reopened on the 19th and normal operations resumed on 1st October. Services to North Cornwall were seriously hampered during this time. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Wednesday 2nd October
An early morning raid in Penzance saw part of a store and Hoskings garage demolished. The blast damaged the railway station and many houses and buildings nearby lost their glass. WBF
Friday 11th October
“One bomb, an oil bomb, failed to ignite at Blankednick Farm, Perranworthal, only about 150 yards from the Truro – Falmouth railway.” WBF
Monday 14th October
The Monday evening edition of the West Briton reported “A fatal accident occurred at Falmouth Docks this morning. Mr Edmund Vincent Pascoe, age 46, of 27 Bar Terrace, Falmouth was caught between two goods trucks on the Docks goods line and suffered such injuries that he died soon afterwards.” He was a former 100 yard Cornish Champion and a wing-threequarter at rugby for Cornwall. He left a widow and a daughter Shelia. WB/FP
Monday 4th November
The crash on the down line at Norton Fitzwarren near Taunton killing the fireman and 26 passengers of a train that went through catch points and derailed at 40 mph caused severe delays for trains in and out of Cornwall.
Saturday 7th December
For the four weeks ending on this day the average lateness for GWR West of England services was no less than 105.44 minutes. The average for passenger trains to the West of England for the whole of 1940 was 45.80 minutes late. In 1938 it was just 5.2 minutes late.GWR
Sunday 29th December
On the night termed ‘The Second Great Fire of London’ Waterloo had to close for a time because of incendiary bombs. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg) This caused disruption on services to and from North Cornwall for several days.
Part 3 1941
Wednesday 1st January 1941
The Southern Railway Magazine was no longer published monthly but on alternate months. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Sunday 12th January
At Falmouth Police Supt Norish reports “About 2035 hours 3 HE bombs fell on GWR line 1 mile SW of Falmouth Police Station. Passenger train consisting of engine & 2 coaches derailed. Only 2 passengers in train. No casualties. Damage to train & railway lines. GWR informed & taking action. One HE at Swanvale nearby. 5 houses damaged by blast.” PWD The Shell Mex pipeline was also damaged.
The Southern Railway Magazine was no longer published monthly but on alternate months. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Sunday 12th January
At Falmouth Police Supt Norish reports “About 2035 hours 3 HE bombs fell on GWR line 1 mile SW of Falmouth Police Station. Passenger train consisting of engine & 2 coaches derailed. Only 2 passengers in train. No casualties. Damage to train & railway lines. GWR informed & taking action. One HE at Swanvale nearby. 5 houses damaged by blast.” PWD The Shell Mex pipeline was also damaged.
Falmouth Branch Rail Crash 1 - 12th January 1941 Copyright Phil Hadley Collection from the late Peter Gilson of Falmouth
Falmouth Branch Rail Crash 2 - 12th January 1941 Copyright Phil Hadley Collection from the late Peter Gilson of Falmouth
Falmouth Branch Rail Crash 3 - 12th January 1941 Copyright unknown
Thursday 30th January
Police Supt Hoskin reports “At about 2000 hours the coupling on one of the trucks of a goods train proceeding from Par to St Austell broke, and 19 trucks ran backwards and came off the rails near Par Signal Box. Both main lines blocked. Guard slightly injured. It is hoped the lines will be cleared by the afternoon of the 31st.” PWD
Saturday 1st February
Police Supt Hoskin reports “One line in use today. Both lines will be closed on Sunday. It is hoped to complete repairs to both lines by 6pm Sunday.” PWD
Monday 3rd February
Police Supt Hoskin reports “1730 hours. Railway line – Par Signal Box now in working order – both lines.” (This accident had happened when the county’s roads were covered in 3 inches of snow and many hills only passable with chains! The snow didn’t clear in the east of the county until the 6th.)PWD
Wednesday 19th February
Supt Norish reports “At 2155 hours HE bombs dropped on Falmouth Docks. Platers’ Workshop extensively damaged. One HE on Dock Railway – slight injury to lines. No casualties.” PWD
Tuesday 4th March
At Penzance Supt Rowland reports that “at 1510 hours a land mine of the beach defences at Chyandour (700 yards E of Chyandour Police Station) exploded killing 3 soldiers and injuring 4 others. An ambulance was sent from Penzance and at 1519 hours, whilst getting the injured away, another mine exploded killing the civilian ambulance driver and slightly injuring Police Inspector Richards in the hand. Inspector Richards is also suffering from shock. Addendum – 5 soldiers dead, 1 missing presumed dead, 1 ambulance driver dead, 4 soldiers seriously injured. A railway man was seriously injured by the second explosion. He was removed to hospital privately and no report was made to the police at Chyandour until the 7th.” PWD
Tuesday 11th March
Supt Burroughs reports that “at 2205 hours a number of HE bombs dropped near the GWR line at Carvean half a mile west of Probus Halt. Damage to permanent way. Traffic interrupted. Repairs effected during night. One line traffic in operation by 0730 hours on 12th. Normal working expected soon. Electric Company said lines affected. Repairs under way. Eight cottages sustained damage to glass, roof & ceilings & to cottages 300 yards from bomb.” PWD
Wednesday 12th March
During the evening the “usual small stick” of four bombs fell near the railway line in a field between Buckets Hill and Trewirgie Road, Redruth. WBF
Thursday 20th March
Redruth came under severe attack centred on the railway station and viaduct. 11 HEs fell with one UXB at East End. Two houses were demolished and considerable damage resulted to many houses and business premises. Six people were killed and five seriously injured and seven slightly. WBF
Ernie Beeley who worked at Redruth railway station lost his hand. (Cornish Memory)
Further to this report - from Tom Holway we have this concerning his parents and the injury his Dad sustained. Before the war, Mum and Dad both worked for the Bolitho family at Trengwainton, Mum as a maid and Dad as Butler. They married at Peranuthnoe in August 1940 while Dad was still at Trengwainton waiting to join up and Mum was doing nursing training at Truro. Bit of a coincidence is that the chauffeur at Trengwainton was a Charlie Jenkin(s) and I always understood that he and Dad got on well and shared a sense of humour. All staff of a suitable age were encouraged to sign up for war service or go nursing. Dad was stationed with the Royal Artillery somewhere near Redruth and Mum was nursing at Newquay where hotels were taken over for the convalescence of war wounded. On the night of the bombing Dad and another chap had seen Mum and another girl on to the Newquay train and then answered the call of nature in the station toilet. The bomb dropped while they were in the toilet and when they were pulled out, Dad had severe leg injuries and the other chap had died. I have seen a copy of the photo some time ago but cannot now find it
John Vaughan in his Illustrated History of the Cornish Main Line states ‘happily the station and awnings survived.’
Platforms 7 and 8 at Plymouth North Road were severely damaged during the Plymouth Blitz causing extensive delays to GWR services in and out of Cornwall. (Plymouth: A Shattered City by Gerald Wasley)
Police Supt Hoskin reports “At about 2000 hours the coupling on one of the trucks of a goods train proceeding from Par to St Austell broke, and 19 trucks ran backwards and came off the rails near Par Signal Box. Both main lines blocked. Guard slightly injured. It is hoped the lines will be cleared by the afternoon of the 31st.” PWD
Saturday 1st February
Police Supt Hoskin reports “One line in use today. Both lines will be closed on Sunday. It is hoped to complete repairs to both lines by 6pm Sunday.” PWD
Monday 3rd February
Police Supt Hoskin reports “1730 hours. Railway line – Par Signal Box now in working order – both lines.” (This accident had happened when the county’s roads were covered in 3 inches of snow and many hills only passable with chains! The snow didn’t clear in the east of the county until the 6th.)PWD
Wednesday 19th February
Supt Norish reports “At 2155 hours HE bombs dropped on Falmouth Docks. Platers’ Workshop extensively damaged. One HE on Dock Railway – slight injury to lines. No casualties.” PWD
Tuesday 4th March
At Penzance Supt Rowland reports that “at 1510 hours a land mine of the beach defences at Chyandour (700 yards E of Chyandour Police Station) exploded killing 3 soldiers and injuring 4 others. An ambulance was sent from Penzance and at 1519 hours, whilst getting the injured away, another mine exploded killing the civilian ambulance driver and slightly injuring Police Inspector Richards in the hand. Inspector Richards is also suffering from shock. Addendum – 5 soldiers dead, 1 missing presumed dead, 1 ambulance driver dead, 4 soldiers seriously injured. A railway man was seriously injured by the second explosion. He was removed to hospital privately and no report was made to the police at Chyandour until the 7th.” PWD
Tuesday 11th March
Supt Burroughs reports that “at 2205 hours a number of HE bombs dropped near the GWR line at Carvean half a mile west of Probus Halt. Damage to permanent way. Traffic interrupted. Repairs effected during night. One line traffic in operation by 0730 hours on 12th. Normal working expected soon. Electric Company said lines affected. Repairs under way. Eight cottages sustained damage to glass, roof & ceilings & to cottages 300 yards from bomb.” PWD
Wednesday 12th March
During the evening the “usual small stick” of four bombs fell near the railway line in a field between Buckets Hill and Trewirgie Road, Redruth. WBF
Thursday 20th March
Redruth came under severe attack centred on the railway station and viaduct. 11 HEs fell with one UXB at East End. Two houses were demolished and considerable damage resulted to many houses and business premises. Six people were killed and five seriously injured and seven slightly. WBF
Ernie Beeley who worked at Redruth railway station lost his hand. (Cornish Memory)
Further to this report - from Tom Holway we have this concerning his parents and the injury his Dad sustained. Before the war, Mum and Dad both worked for the Bolitho family at Trengwainton, Mum as a maid and Dad as Butler. They married at Peranuthnoe in August 1940 while Dad was still at Trengwainton waiting to join up and Mum was doing nursing training at Truro. Bit of a coincidence is that the chauffeur at Trengwainton was a Charlie Jenkin(s) and I always understood that he and Dad got on well and shared a sense of humour. All staff of a suitable age were encouraged to sign up for war service or go nursing. Dad was stationed with the Royal Artillery somewhere near Redruth and Mum was nursing at Newquay where hotels were taken over for the convalescence of war wounded. On the night of the bombing Dad and another chap had seen Mum and another girl on to the Newquay train and then answered the call of nature in the station toilet. The bomb dropped while they were in the toilet and when they were pulled out, Dad had severe leg injuries and the other chap had died. I have seen a copy of the photo some time ago but cannot now find it
John Vaughan in his Illustrated History of the Cornish Main Line states ‘happily the station and awnings survived.’
Platforms 7 and 8 at Plymouth North Road were severely damaged during the Plymouth Blitz causing extensive delays to GWR services in and out of Cornwall. (Plymouth: A Shattered City by Gerald Wasley)
20th March - a photo of the injured recovering in hospital following the bomb at Redruth railway station. The patient with glasses is Ernie Beeley who lost his hand during the action. 20th March - a photo of the injured This has come from the Cornish Memory website and may be used with the following citation:
“World War II Bombing, Redruth, 1942,” cornishmemory.com, accessed May 30, 2017, http://cornishmemory.com/item/BRA_10_126." The gentleman on the left in this picture is Edgar T. Holway who was the unfortunate person who lost his leg in the Redruth station bombing incident.
Friday 21st March
Supt Slowman reports that “at 2200 hours 5 HEs were dropped within 30/50ft of the main Plymouth –Penzance railway line. One crater believed containing one UXB about 80 ft South of main railway line. 50 IBs also dropped in fields about 300 yards South of Wearde Railway siding. No casualties or damage. ARP notified. Precautions taken. Railway Company informed.” PWD
Tuesday 8th April
Supt Norish reports that “at 2130 hours 5 HEs were dropped at Falmouth. One on beach at Sea Front. No casualties but some damage to roofs and windows of houses. One on cross roads of Castle Drive. Damage to gas & water mains. No casualties. One on railway line near Goods Shed. Damage to track. No casualties. One on Docks railway line. Damage to track. No casualties. One in No 3 Dry Dock. Damage to concrete block bed narrowly missing SS Anadara which was in the dock. No damage to ship. Services informed.” PWD
Friday 11th April
The Headmaster of Saltash Grammar School Dr. H.J. Hewitt account written in 1971: “ ...the siren sounded at 9.55 p.m. no one was surprised, it had sounded so often, but this night Saltash was a target. Was it to bring down the railway bridge? We had the usual lights: a few flares and hundreds of incendiary bombs in our own streets and houses. We had the usual sounds; the engines of ‘planes moving overhead, the sharp reports of the A.A. guns, the crashes of falling slates, bricks, stones, windows breaking, fanlights breaking, glass falling inside and outside the houses, doors burst open, shrapnel falling on roofs and pavements, the explosion of bombs, the explosion of a ship in the river off Bull Point, wardens running to get ladders, to extinguish fires, to rescue people......Members of the 2nd Saltash Scout Troop, under their Scoutmaster, had joined the AFS and as the Saltash Brigade (and other brigades) were fully occupied combating fires in Fore Street, the Scouts were directed to go to the Railway Goods Stations where a shed and a coal dump were ablaze. As they set to work with their hoses, two bombs fell very near; troop-leader Donald Cummins was terribly injured; Bernard Doidge was wounded in the back by shrapnel and Sydney Cummins was wounded in the arm and leg. The Scoutmaster, Douglas Vosper, with the aid of a soldier rushed the first two to the First Aid Post at St. Stephens where Doidge’s life was saved by Dr. Harry immediately extracting the shrapnel from his back. - Donald Cummins, who was already dead was posthumously awarded the Bronze Cross; Sydney Cummins and Bernard Doidge were awarded the Silver Cross by the Chief Scout and Mr. Vosper was awarded the Bronze Cross and decorated with the British Empire Medal by King George VI. In all seventeen firemen including five members of the reinforcing crew from Newquay died in this holocaust.” (Saltash in Time of War)
Supt Slowman reports that “at 2200 hours 5 HEs were dropped within 30/50ft of the main Plymouth –Penzance railway line. One crater believed containing one UXB about 80 ft South of main railway line. 50 IBs also dropped in fields about 300 yards South of Wearde Railway siding. No casualties or damage. ARP notified. Precautions taken. Railway Company informed.” PWD
Tuesday 8th April
Supt Norish reports that “at 2130 hours 5 HEs were dropped at Falmouth. One on beach at Sea Front. No casualties but some damage to roofs and windows of houses. One on cross roads of Castle Drive. Damage to gas & water mains. No casualties. One on railway line near Goods Shed. Damage to track. No casualties. One on Docks railway line. Damage to track. No casualties. One in No 3 Dry Dock. Damage to concrete block bed narrowly missing SS Anadara which was in the dock. No damage to ship. Services informed.” PWD
Friday 11th April
The Headmaster of Saltash Grammar School Dr. H.J. Hewitt account written in 1971: “ ...the siren sounded at 9.55 p.m. no one was surprised, it had sounded so often, but this night Saltash was a target. Was it to bring down the railway bridge? We had the usual lights: a few flares and hundreds of incendiary bombs in our own streets and houses. We had the usual sounds; the engines of ‘planes moving overhead, the sharp reports of the A.A. guns, the crashes of falling slates, bricks, stones, windows breaking, fanlights breaking, glass falling inside and outside the houses, doors burst open, shrapnel falling on roofs and pavements, the explosion of bombs, the explosion of a ship in the river off Bull Point, wardens running to get ladders, to extinguish fires, to rescue people......Members of the 2nd Saltash Scout Troop, under their Scoutmaster, had joined the AFS and as the Saltash Brigade (and other brigades) were fully occupied combating fires in Fore Street, the Scouts were directed to go to the Railway Goods Stations where a shed and a coal dump were ablaze. As they set to work with their hoses, two bombs fell very near; troop-leader Donald Cummins was terribly injured; Bernard Doidge was wounded in the back by shrapnel and Sydney Cummins was wounded in the arm and leg. The Scoutmaster, Douglas Vosper, with the aid of a soldier rushed the first two to the First Aid Post at St. Stephens where Doidge’s life was saved by Dr. Harry immediately extracting the shrapnel from his back. - Donald Cummins, who was already dead was posthumously awarded the Bronze Cross; Sydney Cummins and Bernard Doidge were awarded the Silver Cross by the Chief Scout and Mr. Vosper was awarded the Bronze Cross and decorated with the British Empire Medal by King George VI. In all seventeen firemen including five members of the reinforcing crew from Newquay died in this holocaust.” (Saltash in Time of War)
A Luftwaffe photograph of the Royal Albert Bridge taken on 11th April 1941.From the Phil Hadley Collection
Note the absence of housing on the Devon end of the Royal Albert Bridge.
Sunday 13th April
Supt Hoskin reports that “At 0005 hours HEs (believed three) dropped on entrance to Par Docks. 3 casualties – all soldiers. 1 killed, 1 seriously injured, and 1 slightly injured. Par Docks Office, part of which is requisitioned by the military, demolished. The permanent way main up railway line is undermined and is temporarily closed. Telephone and electric wires down. The A3082 road closed to vehicular traffic between junction A390 and Par. (Local diversion). Services informed.” PWD Both road and rail line were reopened by the 14th.
Tuesday 22nd April
Millbay Station and goods yard were very severely damaged in the Plymouth Blitz causing disruption to Southern Railway services into and out of Cornwall. Other railway facilities such as the sidings alongside Belmont Street had been hit during the 3 night blitz and the GWR stopped handling traffic designated for Plymouth. This decision was reversed in May much to the relief of the business community. Many of the wounded in Plymouth were transferred by train to hospitals as far apart as Truro and Bristol. (Plymouth: A Shattered City by Gerald Wasley)
Monday 28th April
Supt Sloman reports that “at 2330 hours HEs dropped on the GWR railway line 3 miles West of St Germans Police Station. Both permanent ways damaged. Traffic stopped. Engine and train derailed. Railway officials on spot.” PWD
Tuesday 29th April
Supt Sloman reports that “with reference to GWR line at St Germans by 2115 hours single line through to Plymouth.” PWD
UXB on the railway sidings at Wearde, Saltash in a heavy raid that saw 8 killed, 3 seriously injured and 14 slightly injured and much of Fore Street, Saltash destroyed. WBF
Wednesday 30th April
Supt Sloman reports that “at 0030 4 HEs at Treboul Farm, St Germans, near the railway lines. No damage or casualties.” PWD
Tuesday 6th May
Supt Sloman reports that “at 0030 hours 12 HE at Coombe Farm and Wearde Farm, Saltash, in market gardens and open fields, also one near railway. No casualties. Slight damage to houses 300 yards to one mile west of Saltash Police Station.” PWD
Tuesday 13th May
Supt Norish reports “Between 0130 and 0300 hours 12 HEs dropped on Falmouth Town and Flushing and also in harbour. 3 persons killed, 4 seriously injured and 3 slightly wounded. Damage: school, café, & other buildings demolished. Serious damage to a number of dwelling houses, GWR parcels office and station buildings. Also slight damage to a number of dwelling houses and also Falmouth Police Station. Gas, water and telephone wires also damaged. I UXB near railway station. Precautions taken.” PWD
Wednesday 14th May
Supt Norish reports “regarding UXB near railway station, Falmouth, B.D.S have visited site and state that no UXB is present.” PWD
Sunday 1st June
Supt Burroughs reports “0615 hours one HE on GWR line 3 miles West of Truro Station. Both lines blocked. Also damage to several houses in vicinity. No trains involved. No casualties. Later information – single line traffic in operation 1000 hours.” PWD This happened just after 0100 hours and was between Tomperrow Bridge and Baldhu Signal Box. WBF
Monday 2nd June
Supt Burroughs reports “Repairs effected. Normal rail traffic resumed.” PWD
Saturday 21st June
In the early hours, five bombs fell with considerably accuracy near Penzance Railway Station and on Taroveor Road. One person was killed, six more seriously injured and three minor casualties. What was described as “extreme damage” was caused to residential and business properties, 250 families were affected because of an unexploded bomb. One enemy aircraft was shot down. WBF
Monday 23rd June
Supt Hoskin reports “0005 hours 2 HE dropped on Crinnis, two and a half miles East of St Austell Police Station. One on the golf course and one near railway embankment. No casualties or damage.” PWD
Sunday 13th July
Supt Morcumb reports “Between 0012 and 0100 hours several HE dropped in Falmouth harbour. 2 HE on Golf Links and 2 near railway in centre of town. One house demolished, several houses damaged by blast. Slight damage to railway by debris which was soon cleared. No casualties.” PWD
Saturday 2nd August
Although the government had urged the public not to travel during the August holiday period [Mon 4th was the Bank holiday] the GWR found itself handling more passengers than in 1939. The number who left Paddington by train on this Saturday was 52,000, the ‘Cornish Riviera’ running in five portions with a total of 5,000 people. GWR
Thursday 7th August
Southern Railway issue updated memorandum to Station Masters & Goods Agents entitled ‘Action to be taken by Southern Railway Home Guard in the event of an invasion.’
Tuesday 26th August
Supt Sloman reports “A landslide blocked the up line on the GW Railway one and a half miles West of St Germans Railway Station. One line traffic in operation. It is thought repairs may take 2 to 3 weeks.” PWD
Thursday 30th October
Supt Rowland reports that “at 2130 hours 4 HEs dropped at Trevassack, Hayle half a mile East of Hayle Police Station. Two on main railway line blocking both lines. Two in adjoining fields. Damage to nearby cottages. No casualties. Railway Company informed who have matter in hand.” PWD
The bombs fell in Copperhouse cutting. Railway gangers and platelayers from all over the west of Cornwall were turned out of bed to fill the crater and relay the track. (Hayle in WW2 by Brian Sullivan)
Friday 31st October
Supt Rowland now reports “1820 the up line now cleared.”
Supt Rowland now reports “2105 the down line now cleared.” PWD
Thursday 13th November
Supt Hoskin reports that “at 1920 hours 4 HEs and one UXB dropped in a line from one and a half miles NNE to half a mile SSE of St Austell Police Station. Four, including UXB, in fields and one on loading bank at GW Goods Yard. Slight damage to roofs of 13 houses, and to loading bank rails and to telephone wires. PO informed. Public footpath closed due to UXB. ARP informed.” PWD
Monday 1st December
Supt Morcumb “Between 1920 and 1952 hours enemy planes attacked Falmouth Town & outskirts when 19 HE (including 1 UXB) were dropped. Casulaties: 1 killed (a naval rating), 3 seriously injured, 4 slightly injured (including 1 Police Reserve Constable). Serious damage to 13 houses, and a large number received minor damage. Damage to telephone wires. GPO repairing. UXB in embankment 300 yards West of Falmouth Railway Station. Traffic on Truro-Falmouth railway line suspended beyond Penmere Halt, Falmouth. Precautions taken. ARP informed. Avenue Road and Penmere Road closed. These roads are of minor importance and do not affect traffic.” PWD
Wednesday 3rd December
Supt Morcumb reports “UXB in railway embankment now cleared and Avenue Road opened and Railway traffic again normal.” PWD
Friday 12th December
Fourteen bombs were dropped on Falmouth. Three houses were demolished, the Hydro Hotel on the seafront was damaged, as were houses in Lansdowne, Melville and Spernen Wyn and Boslowick Roads and East Rise. One person was killed and nine injured. An unexploded bomb near the railway arch caused problems and movement restrictions for two days. WBF
Supt Hoskin reports that “At 0005 hours HEs (believed three) dropped on entrance to Par Docks. 3 casualties – all soldiers. 1 killed, 1 seriously injured, and 1 slightly injured. Par Docks Office, part of which is requisitioned by the military, demolished. The permanent way main up railway line is undermined and is temporarily closed. Telephone and electric wires down. The A3082 road closed to vehicular traffic between junction A390 and Par. (Local diversion). Services informed.” PWD Both road and rail line were reopened by the 14th.
Tuesday 22nd April
Millbay Station and goods yard were very severely damaged in the Plymouth Blitz causing disruption to Southern Railway services into and out of Cornwall. Other railway facilities such as the sidings alongside Belmont Street had been hit during the 3 night blitz and the GWR stopped handling traffic designated for Plymouth. This decision was reversed in May much to the relief of the business community. Many of the wounded in Plymouth were transferred by train to hospitals as far apart as Truro and Bristol. (Plymouth: A Shattered City by Gerald Wasley)
Monday 28th April
Supt Sloman reports that “at 2330 hours HEs dropped on the GWR railway line 3 miles West of St Germans Police Station. Both permanent ways damaged. Traffic stopped. Engine and train derailed. Railway officials on spot.” PWD
Tuesday 29th April
Supt Sloman reports that “with reference to GWR line at St Germans by 2115 hours single line through to Plymouth.” PWD
UXB on the railway sidings at Wearde, Saltash in a heavy raid that saw 8 killed, 3 seriously injured and 14 slightly injured and much of Fore Street, Saltash destroyed. WBF
Wednesday 30th April
Supt Sloman reports that “at 0030 4 HEs at Treboul Farm, St Germans, near the railway lines. No damage or casualties.” PWD
Tuesday 6th May
Supt Sloman reports that “at 0030 hours 12 HE at Coombe Farm and Wearde Farm, Saltash, in market gardens and open fields, also one near railway. No casualties. Slight damage to houses 300 yards to one mile west of Saltash Police Station.” PWD
Tuesday 13th May
Supt Norish reports “Between 0130 and 0300 hours 12 HEs dropped on Falmouth Town and Flushing and also in harbour. 3 persons killed, 4 seriously injured and 3 slightly wounded. Damage: school, café, & other buildings demolished. Serious damage to a number of dwelling houses, GWR parcels office and station buildings. Also slight damage to a number of dwelling houses and also Falmouth Police Station. Gas, water and telephone wires also damaged. I UXB near railway station. Precautions taken.” PWD
Wednesday 14th May
Supt Norish reports “regarding UXB near railway station, Falmouth, B.D.S have visited site and state that no UXB is present.” PWD
Sunday 1st June
Supt Burroughs reports “0615 hours one HE on GWR line 3 miles West of Truro Station. Both lines blocked. Also damage to several houses in vicinity. No trains involved. No casualties. Later information – single line traffic in operation 1000 hours.” PWD This happened just after 0100 hours and was between Tomperrow Bridge and Baldhu Signal Box. WBF
Monday 2nd June
Supt Burroughs reports “Repairs effected. Normal rail traffic resumed.” PWD
Saturday 21st June
In the early hours, five bombs fell with considerably accuracy near Penzance Railway Station and on Taroveor Road. One person was killed, six more seriously injured and three minor casualties. What was described as “extreme damage” was caused to residential and business properties, 250 families were affected because of an unexploded bomb. One enemy aircraft was shot down. WBF
Monday 23rd June
Supt Hoskin reports “0005 hours 2 HE dropped on Crinnis, two and a half miles East of St Austell Police Station. One on the golf course and one near railway embankment. No casualties or damage.” PWD
Sunday 13th July
Supt Morcumb reports “Between 0012 and 0100 hours several HE dropped in Falmouth harbour. 2 HE on Golf Links and 2 near railway in centre of town. One house demolished, several houses damaged by blast. Slight damage to railway by debris which was soon cleared. No casualties.” PWD
Saturday 2nd August
Although the government had urged the public not to travel during the August holiday period [Mon 4th was the Bank holiday] the GWR found itself handling more passengers than in 1939. The number who left Paddington by train on this Saturday was 52,000, the ‘Cornish Riviera’ running in five portions with a total of 5,000 people. GWR
Thursday 7th August
Southern Railway issue updated memorandum to Station Masters & Goods Agents entitled ‘Action to be taken by Southern Railway Home Guard in the event of an invasion.’
Tuesday 26th August
Supt Sloman reports “A landslide blocked the up line on the GW Railway one and a half miles West of St Germans Railway Station. One line traffic in operation. It is thought repairs may take 2 to 3 weeks.” PWD
Thursday 30th October
Supt Rowland reports that “at 2130 hours 4 HEs dropped at Trevassack, Hayle half a mile East of Hayle Police Station. Two on main railway line blocking both lines. Two in adjoining fields. Damage to nearby cottages. No casualties. Railway Company informed who have matter in hand.” PWD
The bombs fell in Copperhouse cutting. Railway gangers and platelayers from all over the west of Cornwall were turned out of bed to fill the crater and relay the track. (Hayle in WW2 by Brian Sullivan)
Friday 31st October
Supt Rowland now reports “1820 the up line now cleared.”
Supt Rowland now reports “2105 the down line now cleared.” PWD
Thursday 13th November
Supt Hoskin reports that “at 1920 hours 4 HEs and one UXB dropped in a line from one and a half miles NNE to half a mile SSE of St Austell Police Station. Four, including UXB, in fields and one on loading bank at GW Goods Yard. Slight damage to roofs of 13 houses, and to loading bank rails and to telephone wires. PO informed. Public footpath closed due to UXB. ARP informed.” PWD
Monday 1st December
Supt Morcumb “Between 1920 and 1952 hours enemy planes attacked Falmouth Town & outskirts when 19 HE (including 1 UXB) were dropped. Casulaties: 1 killed (a naval rating), 3 seriously injured, 4 slightly injured (including 1 Police Reserve Constable). Serious damage to 13 houses, and a large number received minor damage. Damage to telephone wires. GPO repairing. UXB in embankment 300 yards West of Falmouth Railway Station. Traffic on Truro-Falmouth railway line suspended beyond Penmere Halt, Falmouth. Precautions taken. ARP informed. Avenue Road and Penmere Road closed. These roads are of minor importance and do not affect traffic.” PWD
Wednesday 3rd December
Supt Morcumb reports “UXB in railway embankment now cleared and Avenue Road opened and Railway traffic again normal.” PWD
Friday 12th December
Fourteen bombs were dropped on Falmouth. Three houses were demolished, the Hydro Hotel on the seafront was damaged, as were houses in Lansdowne, Melville and Spernen Wyn and Boslowick Roads and East Rise. One person was killed and nine injured. An unexploded bomb near the railway arch caused problems and movement restrictions for two days. WBF
Part 4 1942
Thursday 15th January 1942
When Regular Army troops, acting as ‘invaders’ attacked the Home Guard at Truro GWR station, a fortnight ago, they used practice hand grenades to add to the realism of the exercise. One of the hand grenades did not explode then, however, and a 15 year old boy who picked it up near the railway track on Thursday morning was badly injured by it. He was Trevor Harris, a greaseboy, and son of Mr Robert Harris, 35, Hendra-Vean, who is employed at Truro station as a shunter. The boy found the grenade lying on the bank just near the track picked it up to show it to the fireman of a nearby train. The fireman, realising that it might be dangerous, shouted to the boy to drop it. He did so, and it immediately exploded and the youngster fell to the ground, badly injured. The explosion tore a small hole in the heavy stone track and scattered dirt for several yards. The lad was taken to the Royal Cornwall Infirmary suffering from a mutilated hand, badly lacerated legs, body, and face, as well as general shock. It was stated this morning that the boy’s condition was satisfactory. WB Mon 19 Jan.
Monday 9th February
Passenger services restart on the Lostwithiel to Fowey branch line. (Wikipedia – citation needed)
Wednesday 6th May
HM King and Queen arrived by Royal Train with its armour-plated carriages at Penzance Station for a visit which also saw the train take them to Falmouth where they visited the Dockyards, and then stop at Liskeard on the 7th before heading to Plymouth and Exeter. See below.
When Regular Army troops, acting as ‘invaders’ attacked the Home Guard at Truro GWR station, a fortnight ago, they used practice hand grenades to add to the realism of the exercise. One of the hand grenades did not explode then, however, and a 15 year old boy who picked it up near the railway track on Thursday morning was badly injured by it. He was Trevor Harris, a greaseboy, and son of Mr Robert Harris, 35, Hendra-Vean, who is employed at Truro station as a shunter. The boy found the grenade lying on the bank just near the track picked it up to show it to the fireman of a nearby train. The fireman, realising that it might be dangerous, shouted to the boy to drop it. He did so, and it immediately exploded and the youngster fell to the ground, badly injured. The explosion tore a small hole in the heavy stone track and scattered dirt for several yards. The lad was taken to the Royal Cornwall Infirmary suffering from a mutilated hand, badly lacerated legs, body, and face, as well as general shock. It was stated this morning that the boy’s condition was satisfactory. WB Mon 19 Jan.
Monday 9th February
Passenger services restart on the Lostwithiel to Fowey branch line. (Wikipedia – citation needed)
Wednesday 6th May
HM King and Queen arrived by Royal Train with its armour-plated carriages at Penzance Station for a visit which also saw the train take them to Falmouth where they visited the Dockyards, and then stop at Liskeard on the 7th before heading to Plymouth and Exeter. See below.
King and Queen arrive Liskeard Station 7 May 1942 Phil Hadley Collection
Friday 22nd May
GWR withdraws most of its restaurant cars.
Thursday 6th August
Supt Burroughs reports that “At 1926 hours 2 HEs dropped on Truro City. 1 direct hit on Royal Cornwall Infirmary – extensive damage – fire broke out but got under control. Patients evacuated but number trapped under debris. Casualties so far reported: killed 10 (later reduced to 9), seriously injured ____ slightly injured ____. Machine and cannon gunning also took place at the Railway Station. 2 persons killed. One HE direct hit on house in residential area. 2 persons killed. Other casualties in town 100 seriously and slightly injured. Incident 1936 hours – siren 1940 hours.” PWD The Railway Station was machine gunned, killing a postman, Mr E Pentecost, in a waiting room and a railway worker, Mr P Williams, aged 54. WBF & WB
Friday 7th August
Minor damage to Bodmin North Station at 1342 hours from bombs dropped on Mill Street and the Gas Works in Berrycombe Road. 8 were killed, 11 seriously injured and 7 slightly injured in the raid. 1 house demolished, 10 to be demolished, 15 seriously damaged, and 170 slightly damaged. An ammunition train climbing from Boscarne Junction to Bodmin General was machine gunned by the 2 bombers. Guard Tom Rowe lay on the floor expecting the train to be hit and blow up at any moment.
For a Youtube film of this event click here :- https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=The+bombing+of+Bodmin+7+August+1942
Monday 24th August
The Lostwithiel to Fowey branch line is again closed to passenger traffic. (Wikipedia – citation needed) It is thought this was to allow the build-up of ammunition for Operation Torch as the British contingent sailed from Falmouth and Fowey.
Friday 11th September
Lansalon or Trenance Branch Line – In Feb 1942 the disused Lansalon Dry was requisitioned by the RAF as an ammunition store for St Eval. On the 11 Sept 1942 it was declared “ready for use” but it is not thought it was actually used. (Source: 42 Group ORB) Some oral testimony claims seeing ammunition trucks in the sidings but have yet to verify this.
Thursday 1st October
Planning starts on US Army Ammunition Depots at Fowey and Launceston utilising various railheads to supply them.
Saturday 3rd October
Passenger services resume on the Lostwithiel – Fowey branch line. (Wikipedia – citation needed)
Monday 5th October
The Railway Executive Committee suspended cheap day tickets.
Tuesday 13th October
Supt Hoskin reports “At 0800 hours an employee of the GWR was inspecting the line about 200 yards West of Bodmin Road Station and found an object lying on a sleeper between the up line rails. His last inspection at 0800 hours on the previous day did not chailance the object and he thinks it was not there then. Description: white metal tube 5¾” in length, 1” in diameter. Flange at one end with half of edge milled. Detonator cap in centre. Following markings appear on side of object: ‘Fallschirmleuchtpatrone [parachute rocket] Orion 6. 1940. Verdrauch bis 31.7.1944. Object now at Bodmin Police Station.’” PWD
Thursday 22nd October
Supt Sloman reports that “at 1150 hours 4 HEs dropped at Menheniot 1½ miles South of Menheniot Police House. 2 in stone quarry & 2 near dwelling houses. Casualties: 1 killed, 3 seriously injured & 8 slightly injured. Damage to Inn, Railway Station buildings, quarry offices and residential property, telephone wires and electric cables. No damage to permanent way.” PWD
Undated November
The Ministry of war Transport forbade the transport of flowers and plants by train. When it was found they were being sent by post, they were banned there too. GWR
The growers of west Cornwall and the Tamar Valley were vocal in their protests and eventually the government caved in to public pressure just before the end of the growing season.
Tuesday 8th December
Supt Sloman reports that “At 12 midnight on 8th a landslide occurred on GWR line 50 yards East of Wivelscombe Tunnel 3 miles West of Saltash Station on the Down line. Traffic proceeding on up line. About 4,000 tons of debris. Will take possibly 3 days to clear.” PWD
Friday 11th December
The GWR host the first of the United States locomotives to enter service formally when it was handed over at a ceremony at Paddington. The GWR were eventually to be allocated 175. GWR
Saturday 19th December
Supt Sloman reports “1250 hours Normal rail service now in operation.” PWD John Vaughan in his Illustrated History of the Cornish Main Line makes the claim the landslip caused single-line running for nearly six months!
GWR withdraws most of its restaurant cars.
Thursday 6th August
Supt Burroughs reports that “At 1926 hours 2 HEs dropped on Truro City. 1 direct hit on Royal Cornwall Infirmary – extensive damage – fire broke out but got under control. Patients evacuated but number trapped under debris. Casualties so far reported: killed 10 (later reduced to 9), seriously injured ____ slightly injured ____. Machine and cannon gunning also took place at the Railway Station. 2 persons killed. One HE direct hit on house in residential area. 2 persons killed. Other casualties in town 100 seriously and slightly injured. Incident 1936 hours – siren 1940 hours.” PWD The Railway Station was machine gunned, killing a postman, Mr E Pentecost, in a waiting room and a railway worker, Mr P Williams, aged 54. WBF & WB
Friday 7th August
Minor damage to Bodmin North Station at 1342 hours from bombs dropped on Mill Street and the Gas Works in Berrycombe Road. 8 were killed, 11 seriously injured and 7 slightly injured in the raid. 1 house demolished, 10 to be demolished, 15 seriously damaged, and 170 slightly damaged. An ammunition train climbing from Boscarne Junction to Bodmin General was machine gunned by the 2 bombers. Guard Tom Rowe lay on the floor expecting the train to be hit and blow up at any moment.
For a Youtube film of this event click here :- https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=The+bombing+of+Bodmin+7+August+1942
Monday 24th August
The Lostwithiel to Fowey branch line is again closed to passenger traffic. (Wikipedia – citation needed) It is thought this was to allow the build-up of ammunition for Operation Torch as the British contingent sailed from Falmouth and Fowey.
Friday 11th September
Lansalon or Trenance Branch Line – In Feb 1942 the disused Lansalon Dry was requisitioned by the RAF as an ammunition store for St Eval. On the 11 Sept 1942 it was declared “ready for use” but it is not thought it was actually used. (Source: 42 Group ORB) Some oral testimony claims seeing ammunition trucks in the sidings but have yet to verify this.
Thursday 1st October
Planning starts on US Army Ammunition Depots at Fowey and Launceston utilising various railheads to supply them.
Saturday 3rd October
Passenger services resume on the Lostwithiel – Fowey branch line. (Wikipedia – citation needed)
Monday 5th October
The Railway Executive Committee suspended cheap day tickets.
Tuesday 13th October
Supt Hoskin reports “At 0800 hours an employee of the GWR was inspecting the line about 200 yards West of Bodmin Road Station and found an object lying on a sleeper between the up line rails. His last inspection at 0800 hours on the previous day did not chailance the object and he thinks it was not there then. Description: white metal tube 5¾” in length, 1” in diameter. Flange at one end with half of edge milled. Detonator cap in centre. Following markings appear on side of object: ‘Fallschirmleuchtpatrone [parachute rocket] Orion 6. 1940. Verdrauch bis 31.7.1944. Object now at Bodmin Police Station.’” PWD
Thursday 22nd October
Supt Sloman reports that “at 1150 hours 4 HEs dropped at Menheniot 1½ miles South of Menheniot Police House. 2 in stone quarry & 2 near dwelling houses. Casualties: 1 killed, 3 seriously injured & 8 slightly injured. Damage to Inn, Railway Station buildings, quarry offices and residential property, telephone wires and electric cables. No damage to permanent way.” PWD
Undated November
The Ministry of war Transport forbade the transport of flowers and plants by train. When it was found they were being sent by post, they were banned there too. GWR
The growers of west Cornwall and the Tamar Valley were vocal in their protests and eventually the government caved in to public pressure just before the end of the growing season.
Tuesday 8th December
Supt Sloman reports that “At 12 midnight on 8th a landslide occurred on GWR line 50 yards East of Wivelscombe Tunnel 3 miles West of Saltash Station on the Down line. Traffic proceeding on up line. About 4,000 tons of debris. Will take possibly 3 days to clear.” PWD
Friday 11th December
The GWR host the first of the United States locomotives to enter service formally when it was handed over at a ceremony at Paddington. The GWR were eventually to be allocated 175. GWR
Saturday 19th December
Supt Sloman reports “1250 hours Normal rail service now in operation.” PWD John Vaughan in his Illustrated History of the Cornish Main Line makes the claim the landslip caused single-line running for nearly six months!
Part 5 1943
Tuesday 12th January 1943
At about 1 o’clock whilst passing over Hayle Viaduct, one of the vans of a GWR goods train by some means exploded. The amazing thing about this incident is that, although blowing up to a height of 30 feet above the viaduct and then falling down into the middle of the town right in front of Clark’s Restaurant (now Warrens) the half-ton van failed to cause any damage to property or to injure any people. (Hayle in WW2 by Brian Sullivan)
Wednesday 13th February
Supt Sloman reports “1140 hours GWR permanent way blocked by derailed goods train 1 mile West of Saltash Station. Temporary suspension of traffic. Passengers being conveyed by road via Saltash & St Germans. Line likely to be opened 1400 hours today.” PWD
“Single line traffic resumed at 1545 hours.” PWD
Friday 15th February
Supt Sloman reports “1015 hours both lines are now clear.” PWD
Saturday 16th February
Wadebridge – Padstow/Bodmin/Launceston – The US Signal Corps assisted the Southern Railway by putting in a telephone control scheme. They ran 30 pair mile wires, 757 arms were cut in or changed, 28 new poles were erected and 137 new guy stays were put up. (US Signal Corps document dated 16th Feb 1944)
Sunday 30th May
At Launceston a link between LSWR and GWR lines opened to facilitate the ease of movement of military trains. BLP
Friday 16th July
Fowey US Army Ammunition Depot known as Depot O-655 storing ammunition in the fields adjoining the A390 between Dobwalls and Lostwithiel and utilising the Boconnoc Estate was activated. There were five railheads for this Depot with Doublebois, Liskeard, Lostwithiel and Bodmin Road Stations being four of them. The HQ was in Luxtowe House, Liskeard. (US National Archive)
Undated July
An ‘up’ goods loop was opened at Tremabe, just over a mile east of Doublebois. This closed in 1952. (The Great Western Railway in East Cornwall by Alan Bennett)
Tuesday 17th August
On the 17th August a meeting at the War Office in London changed the names of the US Army Depots to avoid confusion over their actual locations: Fowey became known as Liskeard and Launceston became known as Beaworthy. The original names had been chosen by the Americans! (US National Archives)
Thursday 19th – Wednesday 25th August
US Navy - An average of 43 ammunition trucks were unloaded each day at Fowey with 61 being the most in any one day. (US Navy Documents)
Thursday 2nd – Wednesday 8th September
US Navy - An average of 49 ammunition trucks were unloaded each day at Fowey with 103 being the most in any one day. (US Navy Documents)
Friday 3rd September
Launceston/Beaworthy US Army Ammunition Depot known as O-666 was activated storing the ammunition in the fields adjoining the roads north of the town with Egloskerry and Bridgerule & Whitstone stations providing two of the 8 railheads in the designated area. Towerhill was another. The HQ was at Winsford Towers at Beaworthy in Devon. The new sidings and marshalling yard at Halwill was still not finished. (US National Archive)
Saturday 4th September
Supt Beale “0930 hours a French boat No CC 1496 with 12 male escapees on board was found in the channel & towed to Newlyn, Penzance & landed at 1030 hours. She came from the French port of Concarneau. Immigration Officer is dealing with them & they will be conveyed to London on the night train from Penzance.” PWD
Thursday 14th October
Supt Burroughs “61 complete rounds of s. ammunition , 2 loose, 5 bullets & 3 empty cartridge cases found on railway track between Perranporth & St Agnes ¾ mile from Perranporth Railway Station having presumably dropped from an American aircraft. Collected by RAF.” PWD
Sunday 5th December
Supt Beale: “Grey metal container found in coach of train at Penzance. Detonator of land mine in container, one cannon shell and other explosive articles. Police enquiries resulted in explosives being claimed by US authorities. Officer left container in charge of man who left it in the train. Explosives used for purposes of lectures.” PWD
Friday 31 December
The GWR’s hotel at St Ives, the Tregenna Castle, saw visitor numbers for the year up 62% on pre-war figures. GWR
At about 1 o’clock whilst passing over Hayle Viaduct, one of the vans of a GWR goods train by some means exploded. The amazing thing about this incident is that, although blowing up to a height of 30 feet above the viaduct and then falling down into the middle of the town right in front of Clark’s Restaurant (now Warrens) the half-ton van failed to cause any damage to property or to injure any people. (Hayle in WW2 by Brian Sullivan)
Wednesday 13th February
Supt Sloman reports “1140 hours GWR permanent way blocked by derailed goods train 1 mile West of Saltash Station. Temporary suspension of traffic. Passengers being conveyed by road via Saltash & St Germans. Line likely to be opened 1400 hours today.” PWD
“Single line traffic resumed at 1545 hours.” PWD
Friday 15th February
Supt Sloman reports “1015 hours both lines are now clear.” PWD
Saturday 16th February
Wadebridge – Padstow/Bodmin/Launceston – The US Signal Corps assisted the Southern Railway by putting in a telephone control scheme. They ran 30 pair mile wires, 757 arms were cut in or changed, 28 new poles were erected and 137 new guy stays were put up. (US Signal Corps document dated 16th Feb 1944)
Sunday 30th May
At Launceston a link between LSWR and GWR lines opened to facilitate the ease of movement of military trains. BLP
Friday 16th July
Fowey US Army Ammunition Depot known as Depot O-655 storing ammunition in the fields adjoining the A390 between Dobwalls and Lostwithiel and utilising the Boconnoc Estate was activated. There were five railheads for this Depot with Doublebois, Liskeard, Lostwithiel and Bodmin Road Stations being four of them. The HQ was in Luxtowe House, Liskeard. (US National Archive)
Undated July
An ‘up’ goods loop was opened at Tremabe, just over a mile east of Doublebois. This closed in 1952. (The Great Western Railway in East Cornwall by Alan Bennett)
Tuesday 17th August
On the 17th August a meeting at the War Office in London changed the names of the US Army Depots to avoid confusion over their actual locations: Fowey became known as Liskeard and Launceston became known as Beaworthy. The original names had been chosen by the Americans! (US National Archives)
Thursday 19th – Wednesday 25th August
US Navy - An average of 43 ammunition trucks were unloaded each day at Fowey with 61 being the most in any one day. (US Navy Documents)
Thursday 2nd – Wednesday 8th September
US Navy - An average of 49 ammunition trucks were unloaded each day at Fowey with 103 being the most in any one day. (US Navy Documents)
Friday 3rd September
Launceston/Beaworthy US Army Ammunition Depot known as O-666 was activated storing the ammunition in the fields adjoining the roads north of the town with Egloskerry and Bridgerule & Whitstone stations providing two of the 8 railheads in the designated area. Towerhill was another. The HQ was at Winsford Towers at Beaworthy in Devon. The new sidings and marshalling yard at Halwill was still not finished. (US National Archive)
Saturday 4th September
Supt Beale “0930 hours a French boat No CC 1496 with 12 male escapees on board was found in the channel & towed to Newlyn, Penzance & landed at 1030 hours. She came from the French port of Concarneau. Immigration Officer is dealing with them & they will be conveyed to London on the night train from Penzance.” PWD
Thursday 14th October
Supt Burroughs “61 complete rounds of s. ammunition , 2 loose, 5 bullets & 3 empty cartridge cases found on railway track between Perranporth & St Agnes ¾ mile from Perranporth Railway Station having presumably dropped from an American aircraft. Collected by RAF.” PWD
Sunday 5th December
Supt Beale: “Grey metal container found in coach of train at Penzance. Detonator of land mine in container, one cannon shell and other explosive articles. Police enquiries resulted in explosives being claimed by US authorities. Officer left container in charge of man who left it in the train. Explosives used for purposes of lectures.” PWD
Friday 31 December
The GWR’s hotel at St Ives, the Tregenna Castle, saw visitor numbers for the year up 62% on pre-war figures. GWR
Part 6 1944
Sunday 13th February 1944
Warrant Gunner J Landis, USN, takes over the new ammunition depot at Bugle chosen for its rail sidings and main line services. The drys at Carn Merry, Halivet, Rock and Wheal Henry were used. There were 23 men working in the depot with an additional 21 guards provided as D-Day approached. These were all billeted in the village of Bugle. The US Army RTO, stationed at Fowey, wrote all out-going waybills and tagged all out-going trucks. (US National Archives)
Tuesday 2nd May
Passenger services are again suspended on the Lostwithiel – Fowey branch line. (Wikipedia – citation needed). This was to allow the loading of ammunition for the US 29th Division based in Cornwall who landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day.
Tuesday 6th – Friday 30th June 1944
US Navy – From D-Day to the end of the month 22 coasters were filled with ammunition for American forces in Normandy. That was 13828DWT. (US Navy Docs)
Friday 1st September
The Southern Railway Magazine resumes monthly publication. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Monday 2nd October
The Lostwithiel – Fowey branch line recommences its passenger services. (Wikipedia – citation needed).
Sunday 31st December
The numbers for the year at the GWR’s hotel at St Ives, the Tregenna Castle, drop to 30,906, but still 126% of their 1939 figure. GWR
Warrant Gunner J Landis, USN, takes over the new ammunition depot at Bugle chosen for its rail sidings and main line services. The drys at Carn Merry, Halivet, Rock and Wheal Henry were used. There were 23 men working in the depot with an additional 21 guards provided as D-Day approached. These were all billeted in the village of Bugle. The US Army RTO, stationed at Fowey, wrote all out-going waybills and tagged all out-going trucks. (US National Archives)
Tuesday 2nd May
Passenger services are again suspended on the Lostwithiel – Fowey branch line. (Wikipedia – citation needed). This was to allow the loading of ammunition for the US 29th Division based in Cornwall who landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day.
Tuesday 6th – Friday 30th June 1944
US Navy – From D-Day to the end of the month 22 coasters were filled with ammunition for American forces in Normandy. That was 13828DWT. (US Navy Docs)
Friday 1st September
The Southern Railway Magazine resumes monthly publication. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Monday 2nd October
The Lostwithiel – Fowey branch line recommences its passenger services. (Wikipedia – citation needed).
Sunday 31st December
The numbers for the year at the GWR’s hotel at St Ives, the Tregenna Castle, drop to 30,906, but still 126% of their 1939 figure. GWR
Part 7 1945
and additional information, some undated.
and additional information, some undated.
Undated January 1945
The Big Four railway companies (GWR, SR, LNER and LMS) announced that ‘peacetime services would resume soon.’ CM 25 Jan.
Thursday 12th April
Capt L J Harrisburg Bodmin’s first POW released by Americans returns by train to Bodmin General. CG
Any further detail or dates on the items below greatly appreciated:
Undated 1939-40
Bodmin – Wadebridge branch line – upgrade including concrete sleepers to provide an alternative route if the Royal Albert Bridge should be bombed. The route, including 4 reversals, was used for trains to Exeter during the Plymouth Blitz with its damage to lines & stations there and also for troop trains, hospital trains and ammunition trains.
Undated 1940
Southern Railways drop the title ‘Atlantic Coast Express’ from their fast service from Waterloo to Padstow, Bude and Ilfracombe. The train was given an earlier departure along with many more stops and often more carriages (sometimes 16 plus), leaving even the best of the Southern locomotives struggling, so that it was no longer an express. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Undated 1940
Four War Department oil sidings on the up side of Penmere Platform, Falmouth, were opened for military traffic. The sidings were linked to the main branch by a goods loop line that ran by the halt, also on the up side. The sidings were in use until 1967. (Illustrated History of the Cornish Main Line by John Vaughan)
Undated 1940
The GWR suspended the compulsory retirement of staff at 60 years of age. (The GWR Handbook 1923-1947 by David Wragg)
Undated 1940
The GWR locomotive Clifford Castle, built 1938, was renamed ‘Spitfire’, while Compton Castle, built 1938, was renamed ‘Hurricane’. (The GWR Handbook 1923-1947 by David Wragg)
Undated 1940
Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash – Both ends of the bridge were covered by pillboxes. The rails were “decked in” to allow tanks to cross the bridge in an emergency. GWR
Undated 1940
War Department sidings at Woodgate Pill one mile north of Golant. The plans were dated as early as 1940. Locals say it served a munitions store. ECMR
Undated 1943
War Department sidings to the east of Doublebois station. Fan of 4 sidings with a headshunt was constructed.
Undated 1943
Nancegollan – Four War Department sidings constructed.
Undated 1943
The US Army established Railway Transport Offices at the following locations:
Bodmin Tel Bod 293
Doublebois
Launceston Tel Laun 5392
Liskeard Tel Lisk 363
Lostwithiel
Undated 1943
War Department siding built west of the bridge on the up line at Grampound Road to service US troops in vicinity.
Undated 1943
The 310 Quartermaster Railhead Company was at St Austell and the 556 and 557 Quartermaster Railhead Companies were at Carclew. (US Navy documents)
Undated 1944
In 1944, Field Marshal Montgomery and General Eisenhower arrived at Bodmin by train when visiting the barracks. (Bodmin & Wenford website)
Undated
The wartime Cornish Riviera 125, usually with 14 carriages, left Paddington 10:30am, arrived Plymouth 3:25pm and Penzance at 6:25pm. The Cornish Riviera 615 left Penzance at 9:30am, left Plymouth 12:30pm and arrived Paddington 5:30pm. The Cornish Riviera was one of the few trains to maintain its pre-war livery - most GWR passenger carriages were painted reddish-brown with a bronze waistline and black roof while locomotives were painted plain green. (The GWR Handbook 1923-1947 by David Wragg)
Undated
Chacewater to Newquay Branch Line - During the Second World War the line was upgraded to mainline standard for use as a diversionary route in case the line between Truro and St Austell was blocked by an enemy air raid. The bridge at Metha was widened in order to allow wartime traffic, including tanks on flat wagons, to pass through. (Lappa Valley Railway website)
The Big Four railway companies (GWR, SR, LNER and LMS) announced that ‘peacetime services would resume soon.’ CM 25 Jan.
Thursday 12th April
Capt L J Harrisburg Bodmin’s first POW released by Americans returns by train to Bodmin General. CG
Any further detail or dates on the items below greatly appreciated:
Undated 1939-40
Bodmin – Wadebridge branch line – upgrade including concrete sleepers to provide an alternative route if the Royal Albert Bridge should be bombed. The route, including 4 reversals, was used for trains to Exeter during the Plymouth Blitz with its damage to lines & stations there and also for troop trains, hospital trains and ammunition trains.
Undated 1940
Southern Railways drop the title ‘Atlantic Coast Express’ from their fast service from Waterloo to Padstow, Bude and Ilfracombe. The train was given an earlier departure along with many more stops and often more carriages (sometimes 16 plus), leaving even the best of the Southern locomotives struggling, so that it was no longer an express. (The Southern Railway Handbook 1923 – 1947 by David Wragg)
Undated 1940
Four War Department oil sidings on the up side of Penmere Platform, Falmouth, were opened for military traffic. The sidings were linked to the main branch by a goods loop line that ran by the halt, also on the up side. The sidings were in use until 1967. (Illustrated History of the Cornish Main Line by John Vaughan)
Undated 1940
The GWR suspended the compulsory retirement of staff at 60 years of age. (The GWR Handbook 1923-1947 by David Wragg)
Undated 1940
The GWR locomotive Clifford Castle, built 1938, was renamed ‘Spitfire’, while Compton Castle, built 1938, was renamed ‘Hurricane’. (The GWR Handbook 1923-1947 by David Wragg)
Undated 1940
Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash – Both ends of the bridge were covered by pillboxes. The rails were “decked in” to allow tanks to cross the bridge in an emergency. GWR
Undated 1940
War Department sidings at Woodgate Pill one mile north of Golant. The plans were dated as early as 1940. Locals say it served a munitions store. ECMR
Undated 1943
War Department sidings to the east of Doublebois station. Fan of 4 sidings with a headshunt was constructed.
Undated 1943
Nancegollan – Four War Department sidings constructed.
Undated 1943
The US Army established Railway Transport Offices at the following locations:
Bodmin Tel Bod 293
Doublebois
Launceston Tel Laun 5392
Liskeard Tel Lisk 363
Lostwithiel
Undated 1943
War Department siding built west of the bridge on the up line at Grampound Road to service US troops in vicinity.
Undated 1943
The 310 Quartermaster Railhead Company was at St Austell and the 556 and 557 Quartermaster Railhead Companies were at Carclew. (US Navy documents)
Undated 1944
In 1944, Field Marshal Montgomery and General Eisenhower arrived at Bodmin by train when visiting the barracks. (Bodmin & Wenford website)
Undated
The wartime Cornish Riviera 125, usually with 14 carriages, left Paddington 10:30am, arrived Plymouth 3:25pm and Penzance at 6:25pm. The Cornish Riviera 615 left Penzance at 9:30am, left Plymouth 12:30pm and arrived Paddington 5:30pm. The Cornish Riviera was one of the few trains to maintain its pre-war livery - most GWR passenger carriages were painted reddish-brown with a bronze waistline and black roof while locomotives were painted plain green. (The GWR Handbook 1923-1947 by David Wragg)
Undated
Chacewater to Newquay Branch Line - During the Second World War the line was upgraded to mainline standard for use as a diversionary route in case the line between Truro and St Austell was blocked by an enemy air raid. The bridge at Metha was widened in order to allow wartime traffic, including tanks on flat wagons, to pass through. (Lappa Valley Railway website)
SOURCES (if not fully given in the text)
CG Cornish Guardian (Cornwall Centre)
WB West Briton (Cornwall Centre)
FP Falmouth Packet (Cornwall Centre)
CM Cornishman (Cornwall Centre)
PWD War Diary of Cornwall Constabulary (County Records Office)
WBF When Bombs Fell by Phyllis Rowe & Ivan Rabey
ECMR East Cornwall Mineral Railways by Maurice Dart
GWR History of the Great Western Railway by Peter Semmens
BLP Branch Line to Padstow by Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith
RM Railway Magazine December 1939
CG Cornish Guardian (Cornwall Centre)
WB West Briton (Cornwall Centre)
FP Falmouth Packet (Cornwall Centre)
CM Cornishman (Cornwall Centre)
PWD War Diary of Cornwall Constabulary (County Records Office)
WBF When Bombs Fell by Phyllis Rowe & Ivan Rabey
ECMR East Cornwall Mineral Railways by Maurice Dart
GWR History of the Great Western Railway by Peter Semmens
BLP Branch Line to Padstow by Vic Mitchell & Keith Smith
RM Railway Magazine December 1939
Front Cover of Phil Hadley's book.
Artist Harvey Graver with author Phil Hadley by the original watercolour of the cover. Photo by Barney Trevivian
'NO SMALL STIR'
A good crowd filled the Lanhydrock War Memorial Hall on Saturday 28th October 2017 for the launch of a new novel set on the Bodmin Stop Line during the summer of 1940. Just a couple of hundred yards from one of the surviving pillboxes, author and historian Phil Hadley enthralled the audience by setting the historical background for his book, explaining the inspiration for his story and introducing the three main characters by reading short extracts from the book.
He explained, “Many years ago a member of the local Home Guard told how shortly after they had been formed they were called out to help the regular army search the upper reaches of the River Fal after two dead Germans were found in a rubber dinghy. They weren’t airmen, so hadn’t parachuted in or come from a downed plane. The thought was they had been inserted either by boat or submarine, evading the harbour defences at Falmouth. After three days and nights of searching the wooded banks of a number of creeks, and having found nothing more, they were stood down and the whole thing hushed up.
“So,” Phil Hadley told his audience, “I have inserted a third German into the dinghy who survives, and is an enemy agent come to spy on and sabotage the defences hurriedly being constructed in Cornwall as the threat of invasion loomed large after the fall of France.
“Many people think Cornwall was a quiet backwater in the war, but the opposite was true. It was of major strategic importance because it was the hub of an international communications network. Bodmin Wireless Station handled all of the UK’s wireless communication with Canada and South Africa. Sennen was where the trans-Atlantic cable came ashore carrying communication with the USA and Canada. Porthcurno was where the cables to Gibraltar, Johannesburg and the Empire beyond came ashore. Sennen and Porthcurno were declared “Restricted Zones” in the summer of 1940. They were also classed “Category A – to be defended at all costs.” Falmouth was also classed Category A. The troops sent to build Falmouth’s defences were given orders they would not retreat off the beach if an invasion came.”
Phil Hadley, aged 54, from St Austell has spent years researching Cornwall during the Second World War, and pours his knowledge and understanding of life at the time into his novel, bringing both the places and events alive in a way that captivates the reader.
The book launch took place in a venue on the Bodmin Stop Line that was used as a school for the evacuees that were billeted at Lanhydrock. The Stop Line was a defensive line from Padstow to Fowey of coastal batteries, pillboxes, ammunition dumps and roadblocks with the towns of Wadebridge, Lostwithiel and the military base of Bodmin as anti-tank islands that would prevent progress up the county if the west of Cornwall was invaded. By August 1940 14 pillboxes and 36 roadblocks had been constructed with plans for a further 72 pillboxes to be built in the next 12 months. Cornwall was singled out for operations in Hitler Directive No 16 and was being bombed daily from the first week of July 1940 onwards.
Phil Hadley said, “While the storyline is pure fiction, the historical background is as accurate as I can make it. The story itself touches on themes of love, loyalty, missed opportunity and redemption and confronting evil.”
Phil Hadley spent years working in education. He has a BA (Hons) History degree from Swansea University. He collaborated with fellow historian Mike England on the book “Bodmin – A Century Of Memories.” He was a member of the organising committee of Bodmin’s VE50 celebrations. He was an historical adviser to Tern TV for their documentary Home Front Heroes presented by Ian Lavender (Pike in Dad’s Army) shown on More4 in November last year. He has produced a number of video-book style presentations on wartime events and places in Cornwall that are available on YouTube, such as his title “Commandos Training in Cornwall” which has been viewed over 23,000 times.
Also present at Saturday’s book launch was the renowned artist Harvey Graver from Veryan who was commissioned to produce the cover. He was given a draft of the novel to read and asked to come up with something that said “Cornwall” and “World War Two”. The powerful watercolour that adorns the cover was the result. Harvey, with his daughter Anne and grand-daughter Maria run Elerkey House, a guest house, tea room, art gallery and gift shop in the beautiful village of Veryan.
Among the guests present on Saturday were Vi Burton, aged 96, who had served in the NAAFI’s at Camp Cameron, the AA Gunnery School on St Agnes Head, at RAF Portreath and in Bodmin Barracks, and Pat Sliep, the widow of Albert Sliep, a hero of the Dutch resistance. There were also those who as children had witnessed the Blitz in places like Plymouth, Exeter and London. Phil Hadley paid tribute to the wartime generation and all they had endured and sacrificed so we could live in freedom today. They have much to teach us in confronting extremism.
There was also an exhibition of photographs of wartime Cornwall showing scenes of places and events that are mentioned in the novel. This exhibition is being shown at the Fowey British Legion during Fowey Christmas Market on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th November. There will also be the chance to purchase a copy of the book and have it signed by the author.
The book is now available from all good bookshops or at “NoSmallStirUK2017” on Ebay. Trade orders can be placed via Nielsens.
A good crowd filled the Lanhydrock War Memorial Hall on Saturday 28th October 2017 for the launch of a new novel set on the Bodmin Stop Line during the summer of 1940. Just a couple of hundred yards from one of the surviving pillboxes, author and historian Phil Hadley enthralled the audience by setting the historical background for his book, explaining the inspiration for his story and introducing the three main characters by reading short extracts from the book.
He explained, “Many years ago a member of the local Home Guard told how shortly after they had been formed they were called out to help the regular army search the upper reaches of the River Fal after two dead Germans were found in a rubber dinghy. They weren’t airmen, so hadn’t parachuted in or come from a downed plane. The thought was they had been inserted either by boat or submarine, evading the harbour defences at Falmouth. After three days and nights of searching the wooded banks of a number of creeks, and having found nothing more, they were stood down and the whole thing hushed up.
“So,” Phil Hadley told his audience, “I have inserted a third German into the dinghy who survives, and is an enemy agent come to spy on and sabotage the defences hurriedly being constructed in Cornwall as the threat of invasion loomed large after the fall of France.
“Many people think Cornwall was a quiet backwater in the war, but the opposite was true. It was of major strategic importance because it was the hub of an international communications network. Bodmin Wireless Station handled all of the UK’s wireless communication with Canada and South Africa. Sennen was where the trans-Atlantic cable came ashore carrying communication with the USA and Canada. Porthcurno was where the cables to Gibraltar, Johannesburg and the Empire beyond came ashore. Sennen and Porthcurno were declared “Restricted Zones” in the summer of 1940. They were also classed “Category A – to be defended at all costs.” Falmouth was also classed Category A. The troops sent to build Falmouth’s defences were given orders they would not retreat off the beach if an invasion came.”
Phil Hadley, aged 54, from St Austell has spent years researching Cornwall during the Second World War, and pours his knowledge and understanding of life at the time into his novel, bringing both the places and events alive in a way that captivates the reader.
The book launch took place in a venue on the Bodmin Stop Line that was used as a school for the evacuees that were billeted at Lanhydrock. The Stop Line was a defensive line from Padstow to Fowey of coastal batteries, pillboxes, ammunition dumps and roadblocks with the towns of Wadebridge, Lostwithiel and the military base of Bodmin as anti-tank islands that would prevent progress up the county if the west of Cornwall was invaded. By August 1940 14 pillboxes and 36 roadblocks had been constructed with plans for a further 72 pillboxes to be built in the next 12 months. Cornwall was singled out for operations in Hitler Directive No 16 and was being bombed daily from the first week of July 1940 onwards.
Phil Hadley said, “While the storyline is pure fiction, the historical background is as accurate as I can make it. The story itself touches on themes of love, loyalty, missed opportunity and redemption and confronting evil.”
Phil Hadley spent years working in education. He has a BA (Hons) History degree from Swansea University. He collaborated with fellow historian Mike England on the book “Bodmin – A Century Of Memories.” He was a member of the organising committee of Bodmin’s VE50 celebrations. He was an historical adviser to Tern TV for their documentary Home Front Heroes presented by Ian Lavender (Pike in Dad’s Army) shown on More4 in November last year. He has produced a number of video-book style presentations on wartime events and places in Cornwall that are available on YouTube, such as his title “Commandos Training in Cornwall” which has been viewed over 23,000 times.
Also present at Saturday’s book launch was the renowned artist Harvey Graver from Veryan who was commissioned to produce the cover. He was given a draft of the novel to read and asked to come up with something that said “Cornwall” and “World War Two”. The powerful watercolour that adorns the cover was the result. Harvey, with his daughter Anne and grand-daughter Maria run Elerkey House, a guest house, tea room, art gallery and gift shop in the beautiful village of Veryan.
Among the guests present on Saturday were Vi Burton, aged 96, who had served in the NAAFI’s at Camp Cameron, the AA Gunnery School on St Agnes Head, at RAF Portreath and in Bodmin Barracks, and Pat Sliep, the widow of Albert Sliep, a hero of the Dutch resistance. There were also those who as children had witnessed the Blitz in places like Plymouth, Exeter and London. Phil Hadley paid tribute to the wartime generation and all they had endured and sacrificed so we could live in freedom today. They have much to teach us in confronting extremism.
There was also an exhibition of photographs of wartime Cornwall showing scenes of places and events that are mentioned in the novel. This exhibition is being shown at the Fowey British Legion during Fowey Christmas Market on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th November. There will also be the chance to purchase a copy of the book and have it signed by the author.
The book is now available from all good bookshops or at “NoSmallStirUK2017” on Ebay. Trade orders can be placed via Nielsens.