RAF St Eval was a strategic Royal Air Force station for the RAF Coastal Command. It became a hive of activity in 1938 as Britain prepared for war. Many construction workers descended on St Eval to demolish the village and create RAF St Eval, leaving only the ancient Norman St Uvelus Church which was used as a war time navigational aid as well as an observation post. The church became known as The Cathedral of Coastal command. St Eval's primary role was to provide anti-submarine and anti-shipping patrols off the south west coast. Aircraft from the base were also used for photographic reconnaissance missions, meteorological flights, convoy patrols, air-sea rescue missions and protection of the airfield from the Luftwaffe.

POST WAR.

After the war the airfield continued to be used for maritime patrols with Search and Rescue duties. The airfield was also a site for diversions with a number of military and commercial aircraft using the site when weather was bad at the destination airfield. By 6th march 1959 the station closed and the existing squadrons moved on to nearby RAF St Mawgan.

Much of the basic structure still exists, though many buildings have gone with a large new village built on the side of the base. There are various memorials in the St Ulvelus church, including a Book of Remembrance, a memorial window and various memorials to crews who lost their life’s flying from St Eval.

RAF ST Eval

1/01/38

Organized - RAF ST Eval

1/01/59

Mustered Out - RAF ST Eval

Related Records