Cornwall’s Ukraine connection: By Elizabeth Dale

Cornwall supports Ukraine

Elizabeth Dale on how a monument erected in Cornwall after the Second World War has found new significance following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

As the world woke to the dreadful news of war erupting in Ukraine, many people’s first thought was what they could do to help. On February 27, 2022, some 200 people gathered in a quiet lane just outside the village of Mylor to show the beleaguered Ukrainian nation their support.

The choice of location may seem a little strange at first glance, but the history of this quiet corner of the Cornish countryside is in fact incredibly pertinent, especially as hundreds of thousands of refugees stream across the Ukrainian border in search of safety. Beside the dead-end road to Restronguet Barton, tucked away under trees and painted bright white, stands a stone cross. This small monument was erected here in 1948 by Ukrainians who had been living and working in the area in the post-war era. A symbol of their gratitude for their escape from persecution, and the safe refuge they had found in Cornwall, it also bore testament to their strong Christian faith. These days, hidden from passing traffic, its significance had been mostly forgotten until recent events made its story even more moving and relevant.

At the end of the Second World War, after the collapse of Nazi Germany, there were an estimated 11 million displaced people in Europe, communities that were unable or unwilling to return to their homes. It is thought that around 200,000 of those exiled souls were resettled in Britain, and many came here to Cornwall.

After the terrible losses of both World Wars, the UK found itself with a severe labour shortage, leading the European Voluntary Workers scheme (EVWs) to invite people from all over Europe to come to Britain and provide a much-needed boost to our workforce. The refugees who came to Mylor were just some of the hundreds of Ukrainian men, women and children fleeing violent persecution by the communist regime installed in their home country by the Soviet Army. Many of them had fought against the invading forces; the Second World War had inevitably brought about a strong independence movement in the Ukraine, and as a consequence many of these nationalists had been rounded up, imprisoned and even executed.

Close to where the cross stands today was once the site of an anti-aircraft base during the war and at one time up to 300 British troops were based there. As peace returned to Europe, the British Government utilised its now empty bases to house refugees. So it was that Ukrainian families were moved into the unused buildings in Mylor in 1947/48, staying there for around 12 months.

The men found work on local farms, in the mines and as gardeners, often taking the place of the Cornishmen that had never come home. The women looked after the children and some took in sewing work. As

a devout Orthodox Christian community, they built themselves a make-shift chapel on site and local Catholic priests would visit Restronguet to hold services.

As time went on, the refugee families gradually moved out of the camp; some went back to Europe in the hope of returning home, others emigrated to Canada or Australia. But many found permanent accomodation in Mylor and the surrounding villages. Recollections of that time suggest that, despite initial language barriers, the Ukranian families integrated well and quickly became part of Mylor’s community. Their children played with their Cornish peers, while many unmarried adults found local matches and remained in Mylor for the rest of their lives.

A service of rededication was held at the cross in 2008, and amongst the attendees were grandchildren of those original Ukrainian families who found safety and welcome in Cornwall 70 years earlier.

In February 2022, the cross once again became a very real symbol of compassion and solidarity between two distant nations who have built an unexpected bond through conflict. This most recent gathering was a more sombre occasion. A service was led by the Bishop of Truro, Philip Mounstephen, and the crowd was a mix of locals and Ukrainians who have come to live in Cornwall in recent years. The little cross was swathed in Ukrainian and St Piran flags, with daffodils laid on the brick base.

In a message on the Mylor Parish Church Facebook page, Ukrainian Marsha Szewczuk wrote: "My family and I wish we could be there today ... My Ukrainian grandfather, who stayed in the camp and lived on the outskirts of the village, helped erect the memorial. He’d be pleased that there is a service there today - thank you."

In these difficult and divisive times, it is important to remember the lessons that history teaches us. Cornish people have found work and homes and joined communities all across the globe, and in turn we have welcomed strangers in need here. The Ukrainian Cross near Mylor Bridge stands as that reminder of a time when we were able to offer safety and community to people in dire need - and that we may need to do that again. l