Dates for your Diary - 2024

No, 838  Fleet  Air  Arm  Squadron :-  They arrived at R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer on the 20th April 1944 with Fairey Swordfish aircraft from R.A.F. Machrihanish, Scotland.  

The Squadron were only here for a very short period leaving R.A.F. Station Harrowbeer on the 8th August for duties at R.A.F. Worthy Down, Hampshire.

While at R.A.F. Harrowbeer the detachment was a General Reconnaissance Wing which was formed in Knightstone House ( now the Knightstone / R.A.F. Harrowbeer Archive, Educational and Heritage Centre ) ' The Original Watch Office ' on the 22nd April 1944 under the control of No.19 Group.  The Squadron became part of No.156 Wing Coastal Command.

On the night of the 30th April 1944 twelve Fairey Swordfish aircraft were sent off on an operation out in the English Channel.  It is believed that the mission was to fire rockets at a beached German Destroyer somewhere off the French Coast.  Unfortunately they were given wrong co-ordinates.  The ones given turned out to be that of a Mine-sweeper in a heavily defended harbour, ( Abervrach ) approximately 10 - 15 miles further to the East which Typhoon aircraft had been attacking during the day.  R.A.F. Harrowbeer and No.838 F.A.A. Squadron lost three aircraft and their crews in the very early hours of May 1st 1944.  Two of the aircraft crashed in France, the third was badly damaged and ditched in the sea off the English Coast.  The remaining nine aircraft immediately turned for home where they landed safely.

                                  The air-crew of the three aircraft were :-

                                                Lieutenant ( A )  J. B. Cook

                                                Pilot Officer Airman  R. C. Grapes                         

                                                Sub-Lieutenant ( A )  S. F. Such

                                                Sub-Lieutenant  E. T. Clarke

                                                Pilot Officer  A. Rockley

                                                Sub-Lieutenant  ( A )  I. L. R. Wilson

                                                Sub-Lieutenant ( A )  D. J. Hanson

                                                Sub-Lieutenant ( A )  . F. Hayward

                                                Leading Airman  B. L. Rowntree

              For many years the nephew of Sub-Lieutenant Leslie Frank Hayward

                 had an ' In Memoriam ' placed in one of the National Newspapers.

            A customer to the ' Knightstone Tearooms ' showed me ( the Archivist )

           a copy of this and contact was made with Leslie's nephew and his family.

              This resulted in a visit by them to R.A.F. Harrowbeer and a tour of the 

             airfield and a look at the research that had been carried out regarding 

            the incident.  Four families of the nine air-crew have been in touch with 

            the Archives and information has been exchanged for which we are 

            particularly grateful.  The Archives recognise these nine airmen as real

               heroes and should never be forgotten  -  May  they  rest  in  peace.

                       IN  MEMORIAM  THEIR  NAME  LIVETH  FOR  EVERMORE

       HAYWARD :-  In memory of Sub-Lt. ( A ) Leslie Frank Hayward  RNZNVR,

                                pilot of Swordfish  II   NE923 / G  838  Squadron  F.A.A.  

                                R.A.F. Harrowbeer, and his crew, Sub-Lt. ( A ) David Hanson

                                F.A.A. and Leading Airman Brian Rowntree  F.A.A., shot down

                                by flak over Baie des Anges, Brittany at 00:15hours, 1st May

                                1944.     Uncle  Les is proudly remembered by his family both

                               in New Zealand ad the U.K.

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     The team here at the R.A.F. Harrowbeer Archives Educational and Heritage Centre hope that you all had a very pleasant and happy New Year. 

      It was nice catching up with relatives, friends and also the various visitors that came by to have a look around the various Archive areas.

     The month of January started relatively quiet ( mainly due to the weather ) but there is always plenty to get on with behind the scenes - paperwork, cataloguing, re-arranging exhibits, etc. but never too busy to stop and have a chat and a cup of tea.

     The Archives received several donations of aviation books and in particular some items from a family who's father was in the Royal Army Medical Corps which consisted of medical books going back to the First World War.  There was also a quantity of Second World War Army Maps of Europe plus items of German personal equipment.

     Our latest acquisition is a 1950 / 1960's  ex R.A.F.  Airborne Lifeboat Trailer which needed rescuing from a local boatyard.  This is now at the Educational and Heritage Centre awaiting refurbishing.  More details to follow as and when research of ' type and photographs, etc. ' can be obtained. 

     January finished with a School Educational visit by two Primary Schools that combined, making thirty six children and four adults from the Landscove area. They had a very full and informative day ( the weather could have been a bit better ) but we made the best of it.  We were very impressed with the behaviour, politeness and respect for the volunteers, school staff and the artefacts they were shown.  Certainly a credit to the school.

     Another group of twelve family and friends booked in for a Saturday talk on R.A.F. Harrowbeer and viewing of the artefacts lasting from 1000 am until 330 pm.  

Starting with tea / coffee and cake  -  talk  -  packed lunch  -  viewing  -  more tea / coffee  -  home.     A great day had by all.

     February is set to be a fairly busy month with two School Educational visits by :- Horrabridge Primary  and  Thornberry Primary School.

     Please contact us if you want to visit ( out of opening times ) or discuss a visit.

                                Michael Hayes   telephone  01822 853679

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We at the  ' Knightstone / R.A.F. Harrowbeer  Archives, Educational  and  Heritage 

       Centre '  would like to take this opportunity to wish all our followers a very  

               ' Merry  Christmas  and  a  Happy  and  prosperous  New  Year '

                        The  Heritage  Centre  is open after Christmas from 

                                     Wednesday the 3rd of  January 2024 

                         ( Wednesdays  and  Sundays  or  by  appointment )

          when we look forward to meeting anybody interested in the history of           

                    R.A.F. Harrowbeer  or  for a hot drink and a piece of cake.

        We are always interested a chat, maybe you have a wartime / blitz story 

                                   that you would like to share with us.

                                                                     Thank  you  for  your  support   Michael

We at the Heritage Centre have been fairly busy during the months of October and November with various Primary School visits from as far as Newton Abbot and Totnes.  

The groups vary between twenty five and thirty six children plus  teachers and assistants.

The children have a full and very busy day listening to information and looking at original World War Two artefacts in a controlled environment.   After they have had their packed lunch we have a session outside on the old airfield before the group return back to school.

For more information and a typical days programme please go to website pages :- 

Educational Visits          or  contact          Michael  Hayes  on  telephone :- 01822 853679

The Heritage Centre also welcomes groups and organisations who want to learn about R.A.F. Harrowbeer and it's role in the Second World War.

On Monday the 16th October 2023  R.A.F. Harrowbeer celebrates it's 80th Anniversary  of when  No.193 Squadron received nine Typhoon aircraft from money raised by the 

                                  ' Fellowship  of  the Bellows  of  Brazil '.

More information is available in the pages on this website titled 

                                           ' The archives 80 years ago '.

A large amount of material is also available for viewing in the R.A.F. Harrowbeer Archives on No.193 Squadron and also ' The Fellowship of the Bellows '.

The Archives are open Wednesdays and Sundays or by appointment.

          A  DATE  FOR  YOUR  DIARY      -     AUGUST  the  19th  and  20th  2023

                         OVER  THIS  WEEK-END  WILL  BE  HELD  THE                                                                     

                       " THE  R.A.F.  HARROWBEER  1940'S  WEEK-END ".

          The  " R.A.F. Harrowbeer  Archive  Educational  and  Heritage  Centre " 

    will  be  open  on  both  Saturday  and  Sunday  from  10.00 am  until  17.00 pm.

         There  will  be  stalls  in  the  car  park  under  marquees  selling  books,                     .           sweatshirts,  aviation  related  items,  toys,  games,  bric-a-brac  and  

                                   various  other  items  of  interest.

 The  grounds  will  be  open  showing  the  ' Anderson  Shelter,  Morrison  Shelter, 

   Air  Raid  Warden's  Post,  Airborne  Lifeboat,  Spitfire  Cockpit  and  Museum 

           ( in  the  garage )  besides  cabinets  etc.  inside  the  Tea  Rooms.

                   Hot  and  cold  drinks,  pre-packed  cakes  and  biscuits  

                                      available  inside  the  Tea  Rooms.

  Any  questions  regarding  R.A.F. HARROWBEER  and  the  ARCHIVES,  MUSEUM,  ETC.  please  ask  for  the  Archivist -   Michael  or  Lucy  Hayes  in  the  Tea  Rooms, 

                                        or  telephone :- 01822 853679

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There is always lots to see and do with various stalls, re-enactors, music, singing and food outlets.  Please come and support this locally organised event.

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THE  ARCHIVE,  EDUCATIONAL  AND  HERITAGE  CENTRE

April was a very busy month for the Centre with lots of re-arranging of cabinets and artrefacts with Spring cleaning going on inside the Tearooms and Museum.  There is still plenty to do in trying out new layouts and putting out items that may not have been seen before.  It is always great to hear visitors feedback and is always taken on board.  Please talk to Michael ( the Archivist ) if you have any comments or suggestions.

There has been a few items donated by various visitors that are either connected with the R.A.F. or the Second World War.  After these have been catalogued they will be put out on show.

There is a lot of back-ground research going on by one of our researchers on some World War One medals and artefacts that have been purchased locally.  The story behind some of these items is amazing.  When the research is complete the findings will be available for anyone interested to come and view.

                          Thank  you  for  taking  the  time  to  read  this  article,  i  am  always  glad  to  meet  and  talk  to  anyone  interested  in  our  history  -  Michael