The Saunton Sands Hotel c1950, Saunton
The Saunton Sands Hotel c1950, Saunton Ref: S65026
Memories of The Saunton Sands Hotel c1950, Saunton
Saunton Sands Hotel in WW2
The hotel was used by the Duke of York's Military School which had been evacuated from Dover - on the cliff tops. Wooden huts were erected along the cliff in front and alongside the hotel to be used as classrooms - each with coke-operated stoves leading to outside chimneys.
All doors were taken off the hotel rooms [to create space?]. Bunk beds were installed. The sands had been used for Commando training and, since we were allowed down, we were able to acquire large stocks of discarded or lost ammunition from cartridges to grenades and 'gelly'!! A small amount of gelegnite and a hot coke-stove chimney makes a satisfactory bang!! Since we were mostly Army 'brats' whose fathers were serving or had been killed we were 'aux-fait' with the use of such as we found. Grenades were a little too noisy, causing school staff to react so were rarely used! Little booby traps -found on the beach. These could have a rifle round fitted and be delicately placed.
Saunton & local memories
Read and share memories of Saunton and Devon inspired by Frith photos.
The House I Lived in
I lived in the white bungalow on the right of the picture with my parents from 1953 until 1959. My father was Secretary of the Saunton Golf Club and the house was owned by the Christie Estates at that time. I have many happy memories of holidays at Saunton during that time.
This Farm I Worked on as A Student
I worked on this farm as a young lad before going to Agricultural College. I lodged with a family in the cottage in the picture.
