St Erth

During the Second World War both Italian and German prisoners of war were based in St Erth. While here the Italians built the "hut" shown in the picture opposite together with those of the "field" where the camp was. If anyone wishes to contribute any stories about this time please use the email facility in the status bar at the bottom right hand of this page.

There is a proposal at the time of publication for affordable housing to be built on the site of the camp. 34 home initially with 30 for rent and 4 for part ownership. A further 44 are expected to be discussed for part of Well field and adjoining the gardens of the house on Fore Street. Just up from this at Lanuthnoe permission has been granted for 19 affordable homes to be built.

SPITFIRE COLLISION OVER ST ERTH

Contributed by
cornwallcsv

People in story:
EDNA HOCKING
Location of story:
ST ERTH, CORNWALL
Background to story:
Civilian
Article ID:
A7069241
Contributed on:
18 November 2005

This story has been submitted to the website by BBC CSV Producer Nina Davey on behalf of the author Edna Hocking. The author understands the site's terms and conditions.

In 1941/42 I lived on Tregethas Farm, St Erth. At 10.30 one night we heard the collision of two planes. Two Spitfires had crashed and fallen into the field of the next farm called Frythens. I've no idea how this crash occurred. Both pilots were killed and their bodies put in the barn overnight. It was awful and the police were out in the dark looking for parts of the bodies.

The next day a Lancaster Bomber dropped on one of the hedges of our field. I've no idea how this happened either, fortunately the pilot wasn't killed. I remember they had a pigeon on board in case they had to send a message back to base.

We had Prison of War Camps at St Erth with Italians and Germans and they worked on the farms around. One of them is still here, he never went back or married. he's called John the German. All the POWs were very nice, Rudi Mott was one of them, he was German. He bought a farm with daffodils and chickens and lives at Crowan, Praze he turned the old railway station into a bungalow.

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Report from RAF Davidstow Moor 1942 - 1945

Aviation Crashes and Related Incidents 1942

24-03-1942
2155 hours Supermarine Spitfire Vc AB496 LZ-? of 66 Squadron at RAF Portreath crashed into a field at Trevissa Farm, 1¼ miles from St Erth Police house. The aircraft was smashed and burnt-out the pilot was killed after colliding with AB462 during night flying practice.
24-03-1942
2155hrsSupermarine Spitfire Vc AB462 LZ-W of 66 Squadron at RAF Portreath crashed into a field at Frithen Farm, 1½ miles SW of St Erth Police house. The aircraft was smashed and burnt-out the pilot was killed.