Top secret bunker built in Reigate
By Sue Fenton, F Words editing & copywriting services
www.fwords.co.uk
Reigate Hill was the site of a top secret war command bunker during World War 2, and the D-Day landings were planned there, says local historian Grace Filby.
The town was also visited in secret by prime minister Winston Churchill and members of the royal family over many years.
These are among the fascinating facts uncovered by Grace during her research into Reigate’s connections with the planning and operations of World War 2.
Grace began researching the town’s connections with Churchill after being made a Fellow of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust following her previous research overseas into treatments for bacterial infections like MRSA.
She unearthed original source material including letters and photos, and interviewed local elderly people to hear their anecdotes about life in Reigate during the war.
Her findings were released to local residents for the first time at a presentation in the town on Saturday January 30th – the anniversary of Sir Winston Churchill’s state funeral – and are now available as a DVD.
Donations from the evening helped Grace’s chosen charity, the CHASE children’s hospice in Guildford. The hospice, which cares for children from all over Surrey and parts of neighbouring counties, provides both in-care, with 12 bedrooms, and home relief for families. It has a music room and swimming pool.
The charity costs £4 million a year to run, most of which has to be found from donations.
For more information:
Grace Filby: www.relax-well.co.uk
Chase Hospice: www.chasecare.org.uk
Winston Churchill Memorial Trust: www.wcmt.org.uk