Intriguing history of the 'house that moved'

A MID Devon house known for a riveting relocation has been discovered to have a connection to an incident of national significance.

- TINA PENBERTHY-HUTCHINGS

Rydon House in Willand is perhaps better known to locals as 'the house that moved.' The large house was bulldozed in the early 1970s when the M5 motorway was being built, and rebuilt, exactly the same, in its current position to the south of the village.

Rydon House was recently sold by Stags in Tiverton off a guide price of £450,000, and while the history of the property is intriguing, so too is the story of one of its former residents who captured a German spy during World War II.

Willand History Group recently rediscovered the incredible story of Eric Batten in its archive.

Having lived at Rydon House since his marriage to Beata Maunder in April 1934, Eric Batten served as an officer throughout the war in the Somerset Light Infantry ending up with the rank of Captain.

In September 1940, an article appeared in the local press under the headline 'Willand Officer Captures a Spy.

It read: 'In connection with the recent case published in the daily papers in which two German spies were hung at Pentonville Prison, Sec.-Lieut, Eric A. Batten of a battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry (whose home is at Rydon House, Willand) was responsible for the capture of one of the spies and was chief witness during their trial at the Old Bailey. The trial took place in secret and no members of the public were admitted.