I just dug this out. It was posted on uk.rec.subterrenea a couple of years ago, but may be of interest to some.
Jonathan
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Hi,
My Grandparents farmed Merrion farm from the late 1940’s until the late
1980’s. The St. Twynnells site was build on their land. My Grandmother
recently jotted down what she remembers about the site. I have just
finished typing it up. If anyone has any questions for her I will be
happy to pass them on. If you want to send me anything, send it to:
Jonathan
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A wartime radar or radio station was on the east side of the fence of
the 1950’s radar station. This wartime building had a wooden tower with
scanner , and nissen huts etc.
The St. Twynnels social hall was one of the RAF buildings on this site.
There is a concrete block in the ground near the social hall with an
iron ring. This was where a barrage baloon was tethered.
My parents had two RAF wireless opperators billeted with us at East
Orielton Farm. Orielton Manor, was a field center housing most of the
staff and the WAFF came from Pembroke Dock. The officer commanding the
site was Squadron Leader McCay (Not sure about the Spelling). This
wartime site I understand was working in conjunction with another at
Kiton Hills near what is now an MOD observation tower at Warren. There
were several dugouts that seemed to be operational underground.
In the early 1950’s the present concrete building was built. Main
contractors were R. M. Douglas, Swansea. Engineer in charge was Mr Ray
Milnes, Swansea who later became a director of R. M. Douglas.
About a third of this building was underground. The walls were heavily
reiforced with steel rods, and built to withstand a nuclear attack,
massive air fans, water filters, generators etc.
Water, electricity and telephone lines came from three different
directions in case one was disabled by attack. My best memory is that
becca equipment was installed but became obselete before is became
opperational, this was replaced by marconi equipment this too was
obselete soon after. My husband remebers seeing teleprinters operating
in communication with the regions. The radar station was guarded by
alsation dogs and tight security was observed. RAF personal were
stationed at Pembroke Dock.
To the north on the other side of the road from the concrete building a
new building and a new scanner were built. This had a metal tower (I do
not remember if this was errected at the same period as the new building
or if it had been there before).
We were told that the 200′ high tower was one of the very early radar
masts and that some old films and news reals show them being attacked by
the Germans. I went to see this mast being demolished by experts. It did
not go to plan, and after several attempts it toppled into our field.
This site is now a private home :- Landfall, North lanes, St. Twynnells.
After the site was closed I understood the staff operating were
transfered to east blockhouse, Angle.
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