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This story has been added by Linda Clark on behalf of the author Kenneth H Rickard. It is an extract from a book he wrote in 2004 called 'St Dennis and Goss Moor', published by Halsgrove of Tiverton Devon. They fully understand the site's terms and conditions.

Trebelzue opened for passenger flights in 1933, this ceased in 1939 when the aerodrome was taken over by the military and used as a satellite airfield for RAF St Eval. Two hardstanding runways were completed in 1940 and military operational flying began in 1942.
The construction of RAF St Mawgan started in 1942 with Trebelzue being integrated with it. The new site engulfed the hamlets of Trenoon, Deerpark and St Mawgan Cross. The main contractor for RAF St Mawgan was Richard Costain, a firm experienced in airfield construction. The airfield construction spanned the period 1939-40 for Trebelzue and 1942-44 for St Mawgan.
The author's mother was employed as a cook in the workmans' canteen at the St Mawgan site. Transport was provided to convey her to and from work by way of riding in a lorry belonging to Richards and Osborne. The usual driver was a Mr Wes Rowe from Roche. The author remembers riding with Mr Rowe in his lorry delivering sand to the Trebelzue end of the site and being told on arrival that the site had just been attacked by a German aeroplane which had probably been carrying out reconnaissance work. They were warned that if it returned they were to take cover under the lorry. There were no casualties but the large cement mixer was damaged by machine-gun fire, with the bullet holes clearly visible. Dust was still in the air from damaged bags of cement and the heaps of sand which had obviously been hit. There was an anti-aircraft gun emplacement surrounded by a wall of protective sandbags near the cement mixer so it was likely that this was the German aircraft's target.
After this incident and on many other occasions Canadian-piloted P51 American Mustang fighter planes would taxi close by, sometimes struggling in the muddy conditions on the way to or from their task as escorts for allied bombers. The pilots were always cheerful and always gave a wave as they passed by. Canvas repair hangers were nearby with mechanics working on damaged aircraft, rearming and maintenance. The danger of war was all around yet it was accepted as part of everyday life at that time.
The first concrete runway at St Mawgan was completed in July 1943 and the first military aircraft to land was an American B24 Liberator. Two more concrete runways were completed in August 1943 and the main runway was extended in 1944 making it one of the longest in the country, as it still is in 2003. Major construction work ceased in 1944.
The project had given the local economy a much needed boost as it utilised local labour and materials. Around 500,000 tons of sand, aggregates and concrete blocks had been used with 90 per cent of that coming from the Mark Richards' Goss Moor Block, Sand and Gravel Works.

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