Henry Tresawna

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Not a single family was untouched by the conflict. It is an important time to remember not only those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, but also those who supported the war effort from home and made great sacrifices of their own.

Today, I was truly honoured to be invited to help unveil a new commemoration stone here in Probus. The stone pays tribute to those who volunteered in our village between 1939 and 1945. One of those men was my great-great-uncle, Henry Tresawna.

During the First World War, Henry served with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in Iraq, Palestine, and India. When the Second World War began, as a 61-year-old, he remained at home and served on the Home Front as Captain of the Probus Home Guard.

As Officer Commanding, Henry led parades twice a week. Thursday evenings often involved weapons training, drill, and lectures on tactics and first aid. Sundays were reserved for more mobile activities, like conducting training attacks on neighbouring villages.

The Home Guard also performed more serious duties. They provided essential lookouts by stationing sentries at the top of the Church Tower and, in the lead-up to D-Day, they guarded critical communication lines, such as the Tregarne Viaduct (behind what is now the Mercedes Garage).

Henry’s dedication to service extended far beyond the war years. He was the founder-secretary of the Royal Cornwall Show, a post he held for 52 years. He succeeded his father as a churchwarden here in Probus, with the two men covering an extraordinary 100 years of service between them. He also acted as the church’s treasurer and was a keen cricketer, captaining the Cornwall Cricket Club for many years.

After the Second World War, Henry was a founder-member of the Probus Comrades Club, secretary of the Cornwall Setter and Pointer Club, and vice-president of both the Probus Cricket Club and Horse Show. In short, he supported most local and county organisations.

He died in May 1968. His funeral service took place here in Probus, the village he served and loved for three days short of 90 years.

Henry was one of the many volunteers. Today, we’re not only remembering the friends and family we’ve lost in conflict, but also, all those who stayed at home and demonstrated such resilience, unity, and sacrifice in our country’s greatest time of need.

Lest we forget.