Social History Historic Events Second World War
Pilot’s Rescue, 1940 Harbour Activities Military Port of Dartmouth Royal Navy 20thC
DHRG No. 102674
This contribution from the Dartmouth History Research Group, by Capt. Robert Franks, is about more recent times and concerns the rescue of an aircraft pilot in 1940 and the subsequent salvage of the aircraft’s engine in the 1980’s.
HMT Finesse: A Hero’s Tale Harbour Activities Military Port of Dartmouth Royal Navy 20thC
DHRG No. 102675
During the Second World War the river Dart was the base for a fleet of trawlers which were converted into minesweepers. This story of an eventful day on HMT Finesse in 1942 was told to the Dartmouth History Research Group by Mr. Frederick Jenkins, now of Cardiff.
Names on Dartmouth War Memorial, Royal Avenue Gardens First World War 20thC
DHRG No. 102730
List of all those named on the War Memorial in the Royal Avenue Gardens Dartmouth including civilians. Covers 1914 - 1919, 1939 - 1945 and later conflicts.
For more information on those who died in the First World War see www.dartmouthgreatwarfallen.org.uk and DHRG No 103086 on this website.
For more information on those who died in the Second World War see DHRG publication 40, When War Came to the Dart, chapter 8.
Memories of two London evacuees to Dittisham Dittisham Villages 20thC
DHRG No. 102966
Memories of two London evacuees to Dittisham during the Second World War, Henry Robert Butt and Leslie (Jock) Harper.
WWII Air raids Dartmouth and District 20thC
DHRG No. 102987
Extracts from a diary kept by Mrs Ivy Sams of Dartmouth of air raids in the area from 6th July 1940 to 30th June 1943.
Formation of No 1 Commando Military Royal Marines 20thC
DHRG No. 103004
Formation of the first Commando unit WWII at Dartmouth in March 1941, commanded by Lt. Col. W Glendinning.
Acton Evacuees 1939-1942 Education 20thC
DHRG No. 103087
On Friday 1st September 1939 children from Acton Central School and other Acton schools boarded a train at Acton main line station for Kingsbridge in Devon. The Girls remained there while the boys (with two of their sisters) were accommodated in Dartmouth. War with Germany was declared two days later. The school remained in Dartmouth and Kingsbridge until 1942.
Dartmouth Castle Garrison Army Military 20thC
DHRG No. 103124
Names of Army personnel at the Dartmouth Castle garrison during WWII listed on an old duty roster.
WWII Castle Garrison Army Military 20thC
DHRG No. 103129
Names of Army personnel serving at Dartmouth Castle during WWII as remembered by Daisy Fleet & Caroline Hunt daughters of George & Selina Gunnell who lived in the old lighthouse during that period.
Memories of War
DHRG No. 103187
Preliminary draft of DHRG publication number 16, "Memories of War, by local people at home and abroad, 1939-1946", compiled by Ray Freeman in 1995. Contains many accounts by local people of their wartime experiences, both in Dartmouth and elsewhere in the world during the Second World War. Copy of final publication held in Dartmouth Library.