In memory of the gun site tragedy at Corbyn Head, August 1944. Personal Account by Ron Coleman.

The Corbyn Head Gun site at Torquay was an additional part of the Torbay defences during the war, manned partly by Home Guard Personnel. The site, unlike that a Brixham, does not now exist.

It was on the evening of August 11, 1944, that we, five members of the Brixham Battery, were invited to view a practice shoot at the Corbyn Head Battery. It was a fine evening and the conditions were ideal for the shoot.

We set off from the Brixham site at about 7pm. Our party comprised Battery Commander Goodbody (Regular Royal Artillery), and Lieut. S.C. Gorrell (Battery Commander Home Guard), together with Bdr. George Worth, Bdr. H. Bridge and Sgt. Ron Coleman of the Home Guard.

Arriving at Corbyn Head at about 7:30pm we were informed that there was a delay resulting from the absence of the 'Safety Officer'. Safety Officers were always present on the Gun floors in case problems arose. After some time it was decided that someone else should be asked to carry out this duty; Leuit. Gorrell accepted this task. This being settled, the shoot could now commence.

The targets were out and being towed across the Bay awaiting the first shots. Soon, orders could be heard coming across the loudspeakers from the Battery Observation Post to the Gun Floors. Bearings, ranges and deflections of the target were given and soon the first shells could be heard whistling out across the Bay.

The guns were ranging at about 3000 yds and the fall of the shoot could be seen to be near the target. After a couple of salvoes there was a peculiar explosion from No.2 Gun and it was observed that the shell hit the water only some 1000 yds from the Battery. It was apparent that something was wrong. This was shortly to be confirmed when smoke and flames began to emerge from the Gun Floor.

Personnel viewing the shoot instinctively began to back away from the area. Then Lieut. Gorrell was seen to be coming out of the inferno, calling for us to come and help. Several of us ran forward and it was only then that we began to realise the extent of the tragedy as we helped out the injured and carried out two dead. The Gun floor was ablaze and most of the gun crew were badly burned and uniforms torn to ribbons. Those who had escaped death suffered serious injuries or from shock. There was the added hazard of much live ammunition stacked on the Gun Floor, but the fires were eventually extinguished with buckets of water.

Medical orderlies were kept busy until doctors and ambulances arrived, some from the American and Canadian forces stationed around the sea front area. After about an hour the casualties were removed to Torbay Hospital. The public that had gathered at the Battery gates were dispersed and then the crew of No.1 Gun was made to fire more rounds to regain their confidence.

The final toll of the evening's tragedy was as follows:-

Royal Artillery: 1 R.S.M. died of injuries, 1 W.O. II seriously injured.
Home Guard: 3 killed outright, 2 seriously injured (died later), 2 seriously injured, 2 suffering shock.

On August 15th, 1944, a full Military Funeral took place at Torquay Cemetery, the bodies being interred in the 'Hero's Corner'. There were two gun carriages bearing the coffins draped with Union Jacks. There were two lorry-loads of wreaths from families, friends, Home Guard and Royal Artillery Personnel. Nearly two hundred Home Guard Officers attended including Brigadiers, Generals and Captains, some from the Royal Artillery Southern Command.

A Court of Enquiry sat and investigated the incident but could not establish a cause; no blame was attached to anyone.

It was later established that there had been three previous incidents of this kind on "DEMs" (Defencibly Equipped Merchant Ships) where the breech safety mechanism was found to be faulty. It is possible that this is what happened at Corbyn's Head.

Ron Coleman