Porthleven is a fishing port near Helston, south west Cornwall.
| Name | Occupation | Posted from | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergeant Francis Edyvean Strike | Builder and undertaker |
29 Aug 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Corporal George Frederick Davy | Solicitor's clerk |
12 Sep 1941 | 23 Oct 1944 |
| Private Frederick Allen | Net maker |
14 Jun 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Frederick Chegwidden | Agricultural blacksmith |
22 Aug 1940 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Glyndwr Howard Elliott | Shopkeeper |
08 Aug 1940 | 25 May 1943 |
| Private Reginald Jackett-Simpson | Garage owner |
25 Aug 1942 | 01 Sep 1942 |
| Private Gerald Trevelyan Sydney Davey Lee | Poultry farmer and club owner |
20 Jun 1940 | Unknown |
| Private Hedley Powell Orchard | Shipwright and carpenter |
06 Aug 1942 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private Robert Pascoe | Coal merchant |
06 Aug 1941 | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Private John Henry Toy | Carpenter |
06 Aug 1942 | 28 May 1943 |
The OB is thought to be collapsed and partly filled in over the years. Built by the Patrol, the design differed from more standard OBs. Occupying a prime location, the OB was overlooking the main road leading from the safe harbour of Porthleven to the larger town of Helston.
A break in an old stone wall was concealed by a hatch which was opened by lifting the attached ivy. This led into a wood lined tunnel 6-7 feet long. There was then a drop down to the more familiar OB structure of a corrugated iron Nissen hut structure approximately 12 foot by 16 foot. A further wood lined tunnel came off the main body of the OB leading to a smaller area where some of the explosives were stored. There was no escape tunnel.
The location of the entrance tunnel can just be made out in the stone wall where the predominantly horizontal stones change to being laid vertically and there is a depression in the ground just above and behind this anomaly in the wall.
It is remembered that there was an Observation Post on the edge of open farmland linked to the OB by a wire concealed in a boundary hedge.
Porthleven Patrol
It is known that practice raids were run on the nearby RAF Trelevear Radar station.
Training took place at Porthpean in St Austell Bay. It was ran by Captain Robert Williams who is remembered as a tall, dark, thin man, full of life and enthusiasm. There were weekend training courses for setting explosives and grenade throwing.
It is known that, from this Patrol, at least Sergeant Frank Strike went to Coleshill.
Pistol shooting practice took place on a range at Highburrow, an area to the east of Porthleven Harbour.
Issued with the standard equipment and explosives which were stored between the OB and Frank Strikes' workshop.
All explosives and weapons were returned at stand down. Magnets, intended to be used to connect explosives to tanks and railway lines etc were later donated to British Resistance Organisation Museum at Parham by Victor Strike.
Victor also remembers his fathers Bren Gun (possibly a BAR) being kept in their front room. He would sometimes use it to take pot shots at the local seagulls which his mother was not best pleased about. Exploring his father's workshop with a friend, Victor remembers a pin being pulled out of a hand grenade, he is still not sure why they were not blown sky high.
Porthleven was the home town of Dambusters Commanding Officer, Guy Gibson.
Militärgeographische Angaben uber England was produced as a form of guide book for an invading force. Porthleven is pictured.
Victor Strike, son of Sergeant Strike
Susan Carter, daughter of Lieutenant Eva.
Alwyn Harvey recorder for Defence of Britain Database
TNA ref WO199/3391
Hancock data held by B. R. A
1939 Register