St. Issey Patrol

The Defence of Britain database (DOB) recorded it in 2001 and noted the following: The bunker is still in existence today, and is in exceptionally good condition. Apart from the entrance tunnel having been removed, it is in as good a condition today as when it was built. This is the only operational base located in Cornwall to date [2001] that survives virtually intact.

St. Issey Auxiliary Unit Patrol members built their own operational base in a quarry owned by Sergeant Jonas. It was built with 9 inch concrete blocks and had both an entrance and exit tunnel. The base is rectangular in shape, measuring 18 feet by 10.5 feet and with a ceiling height of 6.5 feet. The roof was constructed by placing lengths of railway lines 14 inches apart, across the top of the walls. Timber was then placed between the lines, and 9 inches of concrete poured on top to form the roof.

The entrance and exit tunnels were at least 15 yards in length and were 23 inches wide by 32 inches in height. Camouflaged trap doors were constructed at the tunnel ends. The exit tunnel curves away to the right from the main body of the base and exists today [2001] in excellent condition [the trap door end has not yet been investigated].

The whole building, including tunnels, was then buried under soil and rocks from the quarry.

Various wooden fitments remain nailed to the walls, including the runners for a sliding door over the exit tunnel.

A ventilation pipe is in one corner with a chimney pipe in another. Apparently, the chimney exited through an old hollow tree.

A cupboard-type recess was built into one of the end walls - this measures 5 feet wide by 3 feet high by 3 feet deep. The base was fitted out with a stove and several bunk beds.

Trevor Miners was interviewed for "Tales from the snug" Tv programme in the OB