On this day in Wembury – 15 September 1960
Source: Cornish Guardian (reported later in 1960/61)
Disappearance of Eric William Joiner
On 15 September 1960, Eric William Joiner, aged 49, a civil engineer at Devonport Dockyard living at Pixie’s Acre, Wembury, vanished while on duty travel. That day he drove about 80 miles to RNAS Culdrose near Helston, Cornwall, completed his work, and then disappeared.
His car was later discovered abandoned at the base of Roughtor, near Camelford. A huge search effort followed: police with tracker dogs, military units, naval helicopters, and many civilian volunteers scoured the moor for a week. Despite these efforts, no trace of him was found at the time.
Nearly five months later, his body was discovered on Roughtor (4 February 1961).
Curated and written by Wembury Waves using material from the British Newspaper Archive.
Entries are summaries and interpretations of historical newspaper reports.
Entries are summaries and interpretations of historical newspaper reports.