Cobbaton Combat Collection

Most of the vehicles and military equipment are packed in two hangar like Romney buildings. Vehicles are restored, often from derelict condition, not to look pristine, but, as a tribute to their original crews, like vehicles just back from the front line, with muddy tyres and tracks, and festooned with the kit which would have been carried by the soldiers who drove them to war over fifty years ago.

In 2004 the Home Front exhibits were moved out from the old barn into a new Romney type purpose built building. These displays cover Civil Defence and ARP, National Fire Service and Auxiliary Fire Service, Women's Land Army, Home Guard, WVS, Red Cross and St John. This is the world of evacuees, searchlights, Mickey Mouse gas masks, Anderson and Morrison air raid shelters.

Tim has now converted the old stone barn into his home, which means he is now living on site. He now has a new workshop, another Romney extension on the Home Front building. The plan is to do some restoration / maintenance on vehicles from the collection here, and also take in some restoration work. With Tim's interest in Land Rovers, he seems to have already acquired quite an amount of various spare components.

Info for Schools

For those studying History Study Unit 3b - Britain since 1930, the Cobbaton Combat Collection offers a unique opportunity to see (in some cases touch) original artefacts from the 1939/45 period. Used increasingly by schools as a resource where children get an idea of the size and utilitarian design of the military vehicles, and just how basic life was on the Home Front, with evacuees, rationing, gas masks, and air raids.

On their guided tour of over 50 fully equipped vehicles, and displays of many aspects of military and civilian war, pupils try on steel helmets and inspect the Morrison shelter while an Air Raid Siren wails. The play area gives an opportunity for the pupils to let off steam, often useful after the journey here. This "fun" area with it's armoured vehicles and a large field gun, and an Anderson Shelter to get into, has it's more serious aspect though. Teachers are invited to bring their family, and make a free Risk Assessment and reconnaissance visit, and to discus any particular aspect they would like highlighted during the pupil's visit.

DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THOSE WHO USED THE ITEMS DISPLAYED

Although almost 65 years have passed since the end of the Second World War, many of the people who "did their bit" for this country during those difficult years are still with us.

www.cobbatoncombat.co.uk/