E mail contact: enquiries@dawlishhistory.org.uk
The March 2025 Chronicle has been E mailed to members. The December 2024 version is now available online.
End of War - 1944/5
Extracts from "Dawlish at War" by Tricia Whiteaway
"It is now summer 1944 and at last things are getting better as far as the war goes, peaceful times in Dawlish at last. Mum said it was now time to go back home to Plymouth. I knew I would miss Dawlish very much; it had been a part of my life and I had some happy times there. So off we went again back to Plymouth and Bridwell Road and back to Combs Head School. I remember we had not been home long and the end of the war with Germany was over, so we had a street party to celebrate victory. A grand time was had by all. Peace at last in my time. I will never forget, my war was over."
By John Roberts
In January 1945 Corporal H W Pearce DCLI was awarded the Military Cross by Field Marshall Montgomery. There was a big back log of prisoner-of-war letters received and it was certain that there were many relieved relations at home. By February, there was the removal of barbed wire defences on the Newhay and the recommendation that the meadow should be allowed for grazing for three months to recover it. A young Dawlish soldier Pte Desmond Tickle was in hospital recovering from a gunshot wound in his shoulder; he was wounded in Holland where he had his 19th birthday recently. He was for many years a well-loved caretaker in Westcliff School.
Perhaps with the New Year of 1945, the hopes of the people were imperceptibly improving with each piece of good news; surely the combined efforts and forces of Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt could not fail; then the capture of Cologne and destruction if Krupps factory, combined with the gradual forward movement of the allied troops, were lightening hearts. In the middle of April the "black-out" in London came to an end. The Germans had surrendered. Hitler committed suicide. The War was officially declared over on 8th May 1945. It took another three months before the Japanese in the Far East capitulated. Street parties all over the country took place and some of the evacuees returned to join in. In Dawlish by June the Morrison shelters were demolished.
May 8th 1945 VE Day Dawlish Gazette:
"With thankful hearts we have celebrated a Great Deliverance over foulest and most cruel tyranny that ever sought to enslave the minds and bodies of mankind. ----- There was a United Services Service in Dawlish on May 13th, thousands flocked to give thanks for Victory."
By June 1945 Mr. Denner asked if the removal of barbed wire from the beaches could be speeded up. The Surveyor thought all would be gone in the next fortnight.
In Dawlish by June the Morrison shelters were demolished. On the 15th 50 evacuees chiefly mothers and young children caught the 8am special train back to London. It was with mixed feelings they said goodbye to the town that had been their home since 1940.
July 1945: Dawlish Gazette: Jewish Hostel Leaving Dawlish. Beth Habonim Hostel (a Jewish youth movement) was established in Outlook Lodge, Eastcliff Road, as a war time emergency five years ago, when they were evacuated from London, are now to return.
August 17th 1945: Final Victory.
Surrender of Japan. Dawlish joins in the National Rejoicing.
Second Victory Day: By happy coincidence the Carnival is also organised and a Victory tea is held on the Lawn.
"Their Finest Hour", is a Second World War digital archive project based at the University of Oxford is a unique collection of never-before-seen stories and artefacts from the Second World War.
The website can be found at "theirfinesthour.org"
Welcome to the Dawlish Local History Group website. We are a well-established group of Dawlish residents who share an interest in all aspects of local history. This site is one of the best places for information on the history of Dawlish please explore it.
We offer opportunities to discover and reflect on what life was like for residents and visitors to the local area in times past. This can be interesting and intriguing, and knowledge of the history of a place can provide a better understanding of the way it is now.
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Membership - how to join.
New members are always welcome. You can come along to one of our meetings to get to know us and what we can offer. There is a charge of four pounds per meeting for non members but the annual membership is only fifteen pounds (April to March).
You can join at a meeting or alternatively fill in a membership form and send it to the Treasurer.
You can download the "membershipform.pdf" form by clicking here.
The form and a cheque should be sent to the Treasurer whose address is on the form. If you prefer to pay by Bank Transfer please contact the Treasurer for details.
Talks and Presentations
We meet normally meet on the first Tuesday of the month at Manor House at 2.30pm, although alternative dates and times may be necessary and are shown in the preogramme.
The subjects of the talks are wide ranging from the very local to Devon-wide and beyond. Recent examples include Old Shops of Exeter , Christmas in Devon , Dawlish Pier - why there isn t one , and The Jurassic Coast . We also plan to hold occasional evening meetings.
Visits
Mostly during summer months group visits are arranged to places of historical interest. Among the places we have been in the last few years are Torre Abbey, Topsham, Exeter Cathedral Library, Haccombe Church, and the Kelly Mine. In October 2022, a small number of the group visited the Exeter RAMM and were given a very interesting insight into the importance of the "Dawlish Hoard" which is on display in the Museum.
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Events
In addition to regular meetings and occasional visits the Dawlish Local History Group displays local historic images and information at events such as the Dawlish Carnival, History Open Days and other one off events for the local community. Members will also lead a guided heritage walk during the Dawlish Walking Festival. Two self guided walks around Dawlish, which include the historical detail for many of the buildings in the town, can be found under MAPS.
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Facebook
This is the link Dawlish History Facebook Group.
Research and Publications
The group undertakes research on the history of Dawlish and district, both as a result of enquiries received, and on subjects which interest individual members. To help with this research we maintain an archive of historical information collected by members over the past 20+ years, and we have close contacts with Dawlish Museum.
As a result of this research the Group has published over 30 booklets on a wide range of Dawlish subjects, and more are planned. They cover houses, notable residents, industry, shops, education, tourism, Dawlish Warren, the railway, and even Dawlish s famous black swans.
Can you help us answer a question? Please have a look and let us know if you have any information. Unanswered Queries ?
Details of the graves at the Church of St Gregory the Great in Dawlish have been made available and include the name, date, inscription and plot number, as well as a map of the graveyard.Click here to view.
Click on the link to view a list of available publications. or this link to view subject titles in the Archive
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