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The following has been added to the website on behalf of Alison Penaluna the collator of Stithians Wartime Memories. She understands the site's terms and conditions.

Evacuees and local children at Crellow House Garden Fete August 1941

Michael Wander, as a youngster was billeted with Mrs J Manhire and her family. That was over sixty years ago and it was during the summer of 1987 that Mrs Manhire was sitting quietly, alone in her home, when there came a knock at her door. Upon her enquiring who was without, the reply came, "Michael Wander, can I come in?" Her excited answer, "Of course you can come in", and the ensuing conversation rolled back the years and unleashed a flood of memories for them both, and probably some tears!
The parish hosted American troops and the Women's Land Army, (WLA) as well as evacuees. Over the whole war period over six hundred children were accommodated in the parish.
Flying Bombs, (Doodlebugs), were now targeted on Britain and so even more children were taken from Bromley. Ration books were still in use as late as 1946 and food shortages as late as 1951.
HOME GUARD
The LDV or, to give it its full title, Local Defence Volunteers, became the 'Home Guard'. Major Perry of Trebarveth took over from Mr John Henry Burleigh. The LDV uniform was simply an armband bearing the letters 'LDV’. The men were equipped in the early days with tin helmets, army boots and, for want of more sophisticated weapons — broomsticks! Had Adolph Hitler tried to invade at that time one wonders, with hindsight, how the tide might have turned!!

The Home Guard patrolled a two-mile radius from the village, on a two-hourly spell of duty and always in groups of two or three. Night duty was taken at a hut on the top of Crellow Hill, approximately where the Collins Park Council houses now stand. The full uniform later became a khaki suit with army boots, the men were also equipped with rifles and bayonets. Mr. Bishop Stevens of Perran-ar-Worthal was the Commander-in-Chief with Major Perry next in command. All male personnel over the age of eighteen and under the age of forty seven, not serving with HM Forces were expected to join the Home Guard. There was an Observation Post at Cascadden in 1940 and some of the Home Guard members joined this as well. The post was manned twenty four hours around the clock. Mr. Bob Turner was in charge at Cascadden, and Mr. Busby was the Area Officer Commanding, (AOC).
During the latter part of 1941, and for a period of three months, there was a searchlight battery at Higher Tremenhere Farm. Private Tom Plummer of the Royal Engineers spent those three months on guard duty during that time and always under canvas. He recalls that they were three very cold and uncomfortable months. However, the searchlight was never put to use. Private Plummer spent the whole time on permanent guard duty only, there was no telephone or wireless, no communication whatsoever. This was the first of two searchlight batteries — the second one was at Little Plymouth and taken over by the Royal Marines. It was whilst Private Plummer was on this special duty that he met his future wife Dorothy Bath.They have lived in Stithians ever since their marriage and had two sons.
Stithians War Savings Association had as its objective in their summer drive, £300.0.0 for the purchase of three machine guns. This was in October 1941, and instead of one gun, eight machine guns were purchased as the total amount taken was £819.12.6!! Even the school with Mrs. H. Phillips as organiser initiated a Penny-a-Week scheme for the Red Cross fund. Mrs. M. Bickford-Smith, County organiser and treasurer of the Red Cross’Penny-a-Week Fund’, attended a meeting in the Council School in which she explained the scheme.

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