Gower Outstation

Location
Gower peninsula near Swansea, Glamorganshire
Type
Outstation
Call sign
Bramley 3
Up station
Special Duties Personnel
Role Name Posted from Until
Operator Arthur Richard Austin Unknown 03 Dec 1944
Station description

The wireless was concealed within a dugout. Bert Davis recalled the location as Oxwich Bay, to the west of Mumbles Head. A radio operator is known to have lived near Pennard, making this area the likeliest location.

Royal Signals Sergeant Jack Millie recalled a site about 10 miles west of Swansea which would be consistent with this. He described a site on a remote farm, about a quarter mile from the nearest track. In December 1942, this OB flooded and the men were tasked with recovering the equipment. In freezing rain, Signalman Hemstock stripped off, diving into the water to release the two pegs holding the false door. Jack Millie then dived inside to retrieve the wireless set and batteries, hauling them up the ladder.

At this point the team realised they had no towels or anything to dry the frozen men. Hurrying back to their car, Driver Murrow, on direction from Lieutenant Wemyss, took them straight to the nearest pub to warm up in front of the open fire, with the aid of several whiskies.

Incredibly, the set was returned to operational use as it worked perfectly after drying out. Jack Millie was less convinced by his own recovery, recalling how chilled he still felt when going on leave to Scotland the following day.

Map Location

Gower Outstation

References

Bert Davis
Jack Millie
David Ingram’s contact list (copy held by CART)