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Some History of Slapton There are three Slaptons in England; one in Northamptonshire, another in Buckinghamshire and this one in the South Hams of South Devon. The word 'Hams' ('Hamms' in old English) means 'river meadows' and 'South Hams', in this context, means meadows south of Dartmoor. Slapton means 'slippery place', which is quite appropriate considering the many brooks & streams that provide the lush farmland of the area. It is thought there were several settlements here during the Bronze Age and also a fort, rather grandly named, Slapton Castle during the Iron Age. The site is recorded in the Domesday Book as a manor with a population of 200 and belonging to the Bishop of Exeter. Slapton village lies in a hollow about a half mile from the beach; sheltered by a low hill ridge and separated from the sea by the fresh-watered Slapton Ley. Its position has meant that, unlike the neighbouring villages of Torcross, Beesands and Hallsands, it was hidden from view to attackers from the sea in past centuries. Before the opening of the coast road along the shingle bank, in the last century, Slapton was only accessible along the narrow and winding lanes from inland; consequently, it has almost always been a peaceful place. The peaceful existence was temporarily shattered in late 1943 by the announcement that Slapton and the surrounding area was to be evacuated completely to allow American troops to practice for the D-Day landings on the Normandy beaches. Some 750 families and all livestock in six parishes had to move out; some never to return. During the winter of 1943 and early spring of 1944, the area bounded by Torcross, Chillington, Sherford, East Allington, Blackawton and Strete was occupied by thousands of U.S. troops taking part in the ill-fated Exercise Tiger; the name given to the Normandy landings practice. The area was mined, bounded by barbed wire and patrolled by sentries. Such was the level of secrecy that few people, even in the surrounding villages, knew what was happening. Slapton sands was used because of its likeness to the beaches of Normandy. Many troops lost their lives from the live 'friendly' fire and a surprise attack by German E-boats. One structural casualty was the Royal Sands Hotel. A stray dog triggered a series of mines which badly damaged the building. It was finished off by heavy fire, courtesy of the Royal Navy, during the exercises and was never rebuilt; the site is now the middle sands car park. There are several reminders of those dark days to be seen in the locality. These include: a memorial on the beach erected by the U.S. Government, which was temporarily removed after a storm in Jan 2001 breached the coastal road; a commemorative plaque displayed in Slapton village hall and a Sherman tank, raised from the sea bed by Ken Small in 1984, now on display in the car park at Torcross - see the Picture gallery |