- Contributed by听
- csvdevon
- People in story:听
- Mrs Winifred Unita Bostick
- Location of story:听
- Plymouth, Devon
- Background to story:听
- Royal Navy
- Article ID:听
- A5824811
- Contributed on:听
- 20 September 2005
The 'moat' or 'tunnel' as it was called was a large rock construction. It seemed to be going right into a rock face. Large and small offices, control rooms, toilets and bathrooms all well maintained, painted and clean. This was Commander-in-Chief - CINC Plymouth A.C.H.Q. his office and staff and also RAF 19 Group PL7 Personnel.
Admiralty House up at Mountwise had a special passage leding from the house to the tunnel for his use only. This 'moat' was just full of people - more naval than RAF. Busy night and day. Personnel were being bussed down Richmond Walk at all times, 24 hour watchkeeping.
I was part of a large Plymouth Command switchboard. There were also teleprinter switchboards and cypher coding being done here. The RAF also had a part. The Americans had their own telephone network set up in England when they arrived here. It was called 'milestones'. We were given quite a few of their direct lines here at A.C.H. Q. Plymouth. We dealt with the Slapton Sands tragedy and were never to speak of this.
We also played our part in the 6 June 1944 'D' Day Landings. A.C.H.Q. were able to hear from our men (on the R/T) for about the first day or so - then no more as they fought their way forwrd into France.
The Americans nicknamed Richmond Walk 'Ida Ho Way'.
It was in large white letters on the wall at the bottom turn in the road for all to see (building small landing craft there). For D-Day the Americans Jeeps went up and down Richmond Walk dayand night at full speed. But they were a happy kind lot of men. I wonder how many of them were able to return home.
Hamoaze House was also W.R.N.S. Quarters then. I was there at the moat until the end of 1946- one of the last W.R.N.S. Personnel to leave. The moat was being passed over to civilians (Dockyard) and reserves.
I did rejoin there later - in the WRNS reserves in the 1960's and did some naval ship exercises until 1974. It was renamed 'HMS Vivid' then receiving my long service good conduct medal.
Evening Herald Photo June 2005
Winifred Unita Bostick (Mrs)
42 Corporation Road
Peverell
Plymouth
Devon PL2 3NT
Born 1923
Mrs W U Bostick is happy to have her story entered onto the People's War website and understands fully and has agreed to abide by the House Rules.
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