Easter Opening 2013
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 24 March 2013 21:07
We will be open Easter Sunday and Bank holiday Monday from 10am till 3pm. If you are looking for something to do then why not pop in and have a look around. Entrance is only £1.00 for adults and 50p for children!
1 comment
Carrots - a “secret” wartime weapon
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 09 December 2012 10:27
When the lights were turned out in the Stanton Air raid shelter at Carew Cheriton Control Tower pupils from Monkton Priory Community School realised how hard RAF WWII fighter pilots would have found it to locate German Luftwaffe bombers in the dark during nightly raids in the Blitz.
Earlier in their visit to the Second World War Museum children learnt how the wartime Government had let it be known that RAF pilots were eating lots of carrots to improve their night vision and so help them to shoot down enemy bombers.
Rather than admit to new Airborne Interception radar in British night fighter warplanes the Government promoted the story that eating carrots gave RAF pilots an ability to see the enemy in the pitch black. When Fl. Lt. John Cunningham shot down the first German bomber on 19th November 1940 using the new radar technology he was nicknamed “Cats Eyes” Cunningham and a myth was created.
It was a win-win situation: the Germans could be kept in the dark about the secret radar that helped night-fighter pilots ‘home in’ on their targets, and it would boost the consumption of cheap, healthy home-grown vegetables by kids eager to emulate their heroes on the rationed home front.
But the Monkton Priory Community School children were not convinced to eat more carrots themselves. They still were keen to enjoy meals from fast food outlets and not sure about eating carrots as an alternative snack - carrots instead of fruit, carrots instead of lollies, carrots instead of sweets as children were encouraged to do in food rationed 1940s Britain.
As well as finding out about the exploits of “Cats Eyes” Cunningham the children learnt about the Battle of Britain fighter pilot, Sgt Charles Ayling, who is buried in Monkton Cemetery. Sgt Ayling, who had earlier married a local girl, sadly died just 4 days after joining another special RAF squadron formed to help confirm information from Ultra Code secrets.
“Evacuated” from Milford Haven
- Details
- Published on Monday, 26 November 2012 21:50
Dressed as World War II evacuees two Year 6 classes from Milford Haven Junior School recently arrived at Carew Cheriton Control Tower to learn more about World War Two.
In the week before the visit Spam had been on the school dinner menu as the children spent a day experiencing 1940s life at the school. They were encouraged to discover what their own grandparents and great-grandparents did during the War as well as researching those from Milford Haven who lost their lives in the conflict.
Boys turned up at the Museum wearing shorts, long socks and cloth caps of the period. Girls wore their hair 1940s style with curlers hidden under head scarves. Some brought Ration Books their families had used during the war and many were eager to share what they had discovered about family members with museum volunteers.
Following the visit to the Control Tower both classes paid their respects at the small war grave cemetery on the edge of the former World War II airfield. Fifteen airmen from six countries are buried in the cemetery but it was the graves of two Polish airmen that held a special poignancy for the children as they recalled the reason for Britain declaring war on Germany.
Irvin Flying Jacket presented to museum.
- Details
- Published on Monday, 26 November 2012 21:43
Carew Cheriton Control Tower Museum was presented with an original Irvin Flying Jacket when Pembroke and Monkton Local History Society visited the former WWII airbase recently.
Society member, Don Hood from Cosheston, bought the leather sheepskin jacket in the early 1950s for just £5 from former Bomber Command aircrew member Dennis Noon who was selling his possessions prior to immigrating to Rhodesia.
Designed and manufactured by Leslie Irvin the sheepskin flying jacket was the widest used by the RAF throughout World War II. As aerospace technology improved the altitudes at which aircraft operated increased. In Bomber Command aircraft flew at altitudes of at least 25,000 feet where ambient temperatures could reach minus 50 degrees Celsius. A warm, thick flight jacket was an essential piece of equipment for aircrew like Dennis Noon.
Said, Don Hood “I was only 11 when war broke out so I never wore the jacket until I used it when riding my motor bike.”
Accepting the donation on behalf of the Museum, John Brock said. “As a community based museum we have been most fortunate in receiving donations of 1940s memorabilia from members of the public. Don’s donation is most welcome and truly generous.”
Find Us On Facebook!
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 30 September 2012 16:02
The Carew Cheriton Control Tower is now on Facebook. 'Like Us' to stay in-touch and receive news, updates and event information.