PHOTO: Miracle PR
A special service of remembrance took place on Sunday 11th August at Corbyn Head, centred on the National Home Guard Memorial. It marked the 80th anniversary of the tragedy which saw the deaths of six military personnel.
On the 11th of August 1944 at 6.00 o’clock in the evening, a coastal artillery piece exploded while being fired. It was being inspected at the time and had been firing for most of the day, dropping shells out into the bay. But, a shell exploded in the breach, killing and injuring members of the Home Guard and Royal Artillery.
In attendance was Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Ridgway KBE CB KStJ DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Devon attending on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant. Additionally, The High Sheriff of Devon, Commodore Jake Moores OBE DL, Councillor Hannah Stevens, Mayor of Torbay, past mayor Mark Spacagna and Steve Darling MP, all laid wreaths at the service with the standards of The Royal British Legion dipping in salute to the fallen.
PHOTO: Miracle PR
The pyramid shaped granite stone, unveiled in August of 2005, now marks the 1206 members of The Home Guard who died during The Second World War throughout the country and not just the local victims of August 1944. Other members, who were killed during the German bombing of the bay have their names in place.
TEXT AND VIDEO: David Fitzgerald