大象传媒

CWS 180804D 16:38:10 - 16:40:17

This story has been added by CSV volunteer Linda Clark on behalf of the author Peter Gilson. His story was given to the Trebah Video Archive, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 2004. The Trebah Garden Trust understand the site鈥檚 terms and conditions.

In 1944 the Americans were affected by what was probably one of the largest bombong raids. The Germans came across at night time in two waves and there were two particular targets. One was the hotels on the seafront where a lot of the Americans were accommodated. All the seafront hotels by then had been commandeered for the WREN's, Americans and the Navy and the Pentargon and Bowcawen Hotels were destroyed. Great heroics were employed in rescues by the Navy, Americans and the WREN's as they were stationed there. The same night the Germans went over the oil tanks at Swanpool and bombed them as well. What could have turned into a serious catastrophe was averted by an American P.O., Phillip Lee Bishop.

He got on a bulldozer and had water sprayed on him and his vehicle by the Fire Services to keep them both cool. He built a dam of earth to divert all this burning oil into the stream which runs into Swanpool. He diverted all the burning oil which was floating down the hill and prevented it reaching the houses in Swanpool. He saved a good number of houses and for this act of bravery he received all kinds of awards which he richly deserved. The biggest reward however, was marrying a Penryn girl, Nelly Retchford in Penryn BaptistChurch. Later on he went back to the U.S. and whilst I think he is now dead, Nellie is still alive in the United States.

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.