Dovery Manor Museum, Doverhay, Porlock, TA24 8QB, Somerset, United Kingdom
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May 8th 2020

75th Anniversary of VE Day

 
Dovery Manor Museum is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe with this tribute to those who served both at war and at home, from the three parishes of
Porlock, Luccombe, and Selworthy.

More than 200 local men went away to war, 27 of whom gave their lives for their country. They fought in many theatres of war: defending the evacuation from Dunkirk, at El Alamein, at Anzio, protecting the
North Atlantic convoys, on bombing raids over Germany, and in the jungles of Burma.
We pay tribute to each man in the Roll of Honour.

We also remember the hundreds of men and women who did so much to support the war on the home front, including:
  • the Home Guard platoons in Porlock and Selworthy;
  • the Women’s Voluntary Service, who were the backbone of the war effort at home;
  • those who volunteered for Civil Defence duties;
  • those who opened their homes to evacuees;
  • the military units who trained in the area;
  • the victims of deadly plane crashes;
  • and the political campaign launched in Porlock that the Nazis in Berlin watched closely.

This tribute gives just a snapshot of the three parishes at war. The full story of the district’s wartime involvement will be lodged at the Museum for future consultation, together with an exhibition of WWII equipment and memorabilia.
There will also be a presentation on the evening of the 4th November 2020 in Porlock Village Hall.

Much of the information and many of the photographs have been gleaned from material gathered and curated over many decades by the late Dennis Corner, the renowned local historian and author. Without his passion for the district, many of these stories would have been lost forever. He will be sorely missed.


Simply click on each photograph below to read the full story.
Picture
Roll of Honour    

Twenty-seven men from the three parishes died in the war. We pay tribute to each man and his service to his country.



Picture
Home Guard

Our local 'Dad's Army', the Home Guard, stood ready to defend the Vale from invasion.



Picture
Civil Defence 
 
So many others pitched in - as enemy plane spotters, air raid wardens, firemen etc.



Picture
Women's Voluntary Services

The women of the district led the wartime effort on the home front. 

Picture
Evacuees

Many opened their homes to care for children and mothers evacuated from the big cities.
 




Picture
Military Operations

The military came to the district to prepare for war.
 







Picture
Plane Crashes

War came to the Vale with three dramatic and deadly plane crashes.



Picture
Appease Hitler or Fight?     

In November 1938, a political campaign was launched in Porlock that both gripped the nation and was watched closely by the Nazis in Berlin.  





Picture
Acknowledgements


Dovery Manor Museum © 2018  All rights reserved.
Registered Charity Number 1079760

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  • WW2 Home
  • Home
  • What's On
    • 2021 Summer Exhibition
    • The Collection
    • Previous Exhibitions
    • Education
    • Behind the Scenes
  • Museum Players
  • About
    • Architecture
    • The Medieval Garden
    • The Committee
    • The Museum Stewards
  • Find Us
  • Support Us
  • Visitor Comments
  • Links
  • Roll of Honour
    • Porlock Roll of Honour
    • Selworthy Roll of Honour
    • Luccombe Roll of Honour >
      • Home Guard
      • Women’s Voluntary Service
      • Civil Defence
      • Evacuees
      • Plane Crashes
      • Military Operations
      • To appease or fight?
  • Acknowledgements