St Anthony and Place Manor

Following the outbreak of war the Battery at St. Anthony headland was re-opened and equipped with 3.7 and 4.7 inch anti-aircraft guns as part of the defence of Falmouth harbour along with similar posts at Trevennal on the Roseland and Pendennis Headland.

The war changed life completely for the family at Place Manor who had to move out of the house when it was requisitioned by the Royal Navy, they had 48 hours to move out. The family went to live at Little Place, now Roseland Place. The Lodge became occupied by the Wrens. All the house staff were called up except the gardener who had to turn the grounds into a market garden as part of the “Dig for Victory “campaign. The family looked after 4 evacuees from London for the period of the war.

Nissen Huts were constructed on the front lawn to house the soldiers and sailors. In the evening the men billeted there would often take a boat to socialise in St Mawes. One evening after midnight 10 soldiers and 2 sailors were returning to St. Anthony after they had been in St Mawes attending a dance. When they were off Polvarth Point their little boat capsized. The shouts of the men in the water were heard by Cyril Green in St Mawes. He went out in his boat and rescued 4 men. 8 men were drowned. Doctor Dyson was called to the beach to resuscitate some of the men.