World War II Airfields & Radar Stations
Trevose Head Radar Station
5th August 2007
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The wartime radar station at Trevose Head was equipped with Type 2 radar
The wartime radar station at Trevose Head was equipped with Type 2 radar
 This would appear to be a Picket Post type building
This would appear to be a Picket Post type building
 The presence of a raised concrete water tank indicates that the buildings were occupied by personnel as opposed to being solely agricultural in origin
The presence of a raised concrete water tank indicates that the buildings were occupied by personnel as opposed to being solely agricultural in origin
The concrete block construction appears to be common to Cornwall, similar materials can be seen in the construction of airfield buildings at nearby St. Merryn
The concrete block construction appears to be common to Cornwall, similar materials can be seen in the construction of airfield buildings at nearby St. Merryn
It would appear that a heating stove stood in the corner of this building giving another indication of its former occupation
It would appear that a heating stove stood in the corner of this building giving another indication of its former occupation
The covered entrance also shows that this building was designed for human occupation
The covered entrance also shows that this building was designed for human occupation
In addition to these buildings it assumed that existing buildings within the adjacent village of Crugmeer were also used by military personnel
In addition to these buildings it assumed that existing buildings within the adjacent village of Crugmeer were also used by military personnel
 Today the site of the landing ground is nothing more than an oversized field
Today the site of the landing ground is nothing more than an oversized field
 This view gives an indication of how close to the north Cornish coast the landing ground was situated
This view gives an indication of how close to the north Cornish coast the landing ground was situated
Initially I believed this collection of derelict buildings to be the remains of the small landing ground established by the Royal Navy in 1917 as part of a series of new costal airship stations and airfields providing air cover for shipping convoys against enemy submarine attack. However, following further research it would appear that a radar station was located at Trevose Head during World War II. It is therefore likely that the buildings are from that period. However, it is worth outlining a brief history of the landing ground that was established here towards of the end of the first world war. Opened as RNAS Padstow in March 1918, the landing ground became part of the RAF only a month later. Two Special Duties Flights (500 and 501) equipped with DH6 aircraft were stationed at Padstow. Both of these flights were part of No. 250 Squadron who flew convoy escort patrols right up to the end of World War I, after which the squadron disbanded and the landing ground closed. The landing ground was often referred to as Crugmeer after the adjacent village of the same name and also as Trevose Head, a nearby local landmark. The meagre landing ground facilities comprised of a line of four Bessoneaux hangars and mainly bell tent accommodation, although it is likley that officers were billeted in local dwellings. Today the site is subject to a controversial planning application, which if successful, could result in an area of outstanding natural beauty being engulfed by holiday accommodation and conference facilities. Fortunately the local authority planners have declined the application, although the objectors are convinced that they have not heard the last of the matter.
© 1998-2009 Shaun Churchill - All copyrights rest with the Author
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