your comments
Tom Davies, Reno, Nevada
My dad Phillip Hinde, and his dad Harold Hinde in last war days held station master at Gwersyllt railway station. My dad told me stories of Kinnerton Cat field gun anti aircraft banging away. Anyone know Hinde stationmaster from these times?
Mon Dec 22 14:23:27 2008
Tom Davies, Reno, Nevada
Retween Mooreside and Parkgate [Wirral] there is a ramp running down onto the marsh. On the ramp remain railroad tracks. I was told that oil tanks were hauled out onto the banks to refuel fires that were ignited when weather permitted to draw the bombers away from Liverpool. I read once that the first bombs dropped on England in WW2 were in Woodlane, Parkgate, is that correct?
Mon Dec 22 09:06:20 2008
Ivor R Evans, Tywyn, Gwynedd
Whilst reading 'Fields of Deception' I have come across a reference to an army 'c' site at Cilcain, but no further information. I wondered if it was a dummy site for Rhydymwyn. Anyone any information? I grew up in the Mold area, and went to school in the 50s in Mold with some people from Cilcain but do not recall ever hearing about it.
Mon Aug 20 12:19:42 2007
phil, neston
The Decoy farm dates back to 1633. For reference, look at "Wings Across the Border", history of aviation in N Wales and the Northern Marches which details the decoy sites. I can also supply a private dvd of those on the Wirral / Dee marsh.
Mon Sep 25 08:54:06 2006
Percy J Hulmston from Dodleston
There was a decoy to attract bombers from Broughton factory, it was on the other from side of the A55 from the Decoy farm on Lache lane. It was accessed by the Common Lane and was close to the Bretton Drive and the woods owned by the Duke of Westminster. a dug out was provided for the Vickers Armstrong Policeman who did weekly stints on watch. his job was to set off explosions and fires electrically if Broughton Factory was attacked.
Tue May 30 07:35:44 2006
Paul, Hawarden
It should be realised that the name Decoy Farm predated the war. This name could well refer to the way wildfowl used to be trapped, they were 'decoyed' into a converging net. Before the River Dee was drained in the mid 1700s the marshes, with their wildfowl, ran right up to this area.
Wed Nov 24 14:03:35 2004
Adele from Devizes
I can't help with this specific example, but it might help to know these decoys often took the form of shallow concrete tanks of water, that reflected a dim light suspended from a wooden pole. There's a picture of one in English Heritage's leaflet on Twentieth Century Military Sites if you're interested. It's free - you can get a copy through www.english-heritage.org.uk
Thu Sep 23 10:40:06 2004
Mike from Manchester
Re. enquiry about decoy bombing in North Wales: I was an evacuee from Liverpool and shortly after the war started there were bombing raids on the Ruabon mountains. This, I believe, was part of 'Operation Starfish'.
Thu Sep 23 10:39:46 2004
