Cloudburst in Hemyock, Devon,
5th July 1963.
from the Express and Echo [Exeter}- Saturday 06 July 1963
Around 4 p.m. on 5th July, the Devon Constabulary informed Devon County C.D. Headquarters that the remote village of Hemyock had been hit by a severe cloudburst. The National Press reports on 7th July estimated the rainfall as between 3 to 4 inches (75-100mm) in about two hours.
Arrangements were made for the C.D. Headquarters to be kept open until further information was received. Meanwhile, some electric drying machines were got out in readiness for any necessary drying-out of flooded houses.
At about 6.30 p.m. Police Sergeant Harris telephoned from Hemyock to say that severe flooding had taken place and was now being got under control by the local C.D. Rescue Team which had been recruited in the village. He believed that no further outside assistance was likely to be needed until the next morning when drying machines would probably be required.
At 9.30p.m., he telephoned to say that the Rescue Team assisted by Wardens had succeeded in diverting the flood water. Great ingenuity was displayed in clearing culverts, cutting holes in banks, widening ditches and other improvisations to help the flood water get away from the village. One small road bridge collapsed but the watercourse was soon cleared.
Several houses, shops, the Church, the School and the Parish Hall had all been flooded but were now free of water and, if possible, drying-out operations could be started that day. Six drying machines were promptly sent out from C.D. headquarters at Exeter and arrived at about 11 p.m. Operated by the local rescue team these dried out the Butcher's shop and the local Inn that night so that they could open on the following morning.
The heaters were stored in the village overnight and the Rescue Team went into action again early on the following morning. They systematically dried out the Church, School, Parish Hall and the houses. The Surveyor of Tiverton Rural District Council also brought in some larger sized heaters and help was given in their operation.
In the morning, the Area C.D. Officer came down to the village and was satisfied that no further help was needed. He found that the village was full of praise for the C.D. assistance given.
It is interesting that, with the exception of the drying machines brought in from outside, the whole operation was directed and carried out by local Civil Defence Corps members living in the village under the control of their Sector Warden, Miss Elmes and the Rescue Leader Mr. Cork, working alongside the County Police.
Air Crash Recovery in Herefordshire,
3rd August 1963.
The Civil Defence Corps Midland Region was holding its annual training camp at R.A.F. Credenhill, near Hereford, from the 3rd to the 10th August, 1963. An advance party was on site on Thursday and Friday prior to the arrival of the main contingent consisting of some 330 volunteers and 75 different types of vehicles.
On Friday, 2nd August, news reached them that a Royal Navy Air Service "Gannet" aircraft, had exploded in midair at about 09.30a.m., around 23 miles away (by road) from the camp. At approximately 11.00p.m. C.D. was asked by the Navy authorities to assist in recovering the body of the pilot, Mr. Harry Proudlove as it was trapped under the tangled wreckage. This could not be done until the following day after the Accident Investigation Unit had made a survey of the crash.
Mr. J. R. Russell, C.D. Officer for Walsall, was put in charge of this operation, and immediately went with two other members of the camp advance party, both rescue instructors, namely Mr. C. Hunt of Dudley, and Mr. S. Harvey of Smethwick, to make a reconnaissance. After some problems in locating the scene, as it was in a remote area on the Herefordshire/Radnorshire border, they were escorted by the Royal Navy guard to the location. There they found that the body was trapped in an extremely awkward position and pinned down by a considerable amount of tangled metal. The distance from the nearest road access, a very narrow country lane, also added to the their difficulties.
After assessing the situation, they returned to base at about 4.00a.m. Following a very short rest and quick breakfast, equipment was collected from the training camp store and from the C.D. stores at Hereford. The recovery party was joined by Mr. G. Lawrence of Walsall and Mr. B. Rollason of Dudley. Two telegraph poles were requisitioned from the R.A.F. for use as sheer legs and oxy/acetylene apparatus was also taken.
They left Credenhill at 11.00a.m after being told they could not start work until noon. On arrival, access to the site was made through a field after the lopping of several trees and the removal of a gate. This brought the their vehicles within 100 yards of the location although they were still hampered by a dividing hedge and ditch. Also it had begun to rain heavily, and continued to do so throughout the whole operation.
Eventually, after much effort, sheer legs were erected over the debris and the hauling equipment brought in lifted the wreckage sufficiently to complete the operation. It had taken over four hours during which the party had become soaked to the skin. In view of the prevailing weather conditions it was decided to leave the dismantling and recovery of equipment until the following day, the party having had no food or drink since breakfast and after collecting loose items they returned to base arriving at approximately 6.00p.m.
Camp Orders on the following day contained a commendation from the Regional Director, Mr. Russell, to the party for a job well done. He was full of praise for the men concerned and summed it up in the phrase "they performed their task in the best traditions of C.D., as one would expect".
SOURCES:
Civil Defence magazine Vol15 No.10 (October 1963).
Express and Echo [Exeter}, Saturday 06 July 1963.
Birmingham Post, 3rd August 1963.
Liverpool Daily Post ,3rd August 1963.
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