THE last of the Burrator Reservoir 1917 boundary stones — weighing 800kg — has been re-erected thanks to a team of Dartmoor enthusiasts.

Work started to build the dam and reservoir in 1893 and it was completed in September 1898 creating a one and a quarter mile (2km) long reservoir.

The outbreak of World War One saw the three towns of East Stonehouse, Devonport and Plymouth merged into the city of Plymouth on November 1, 1914, and the newly formed Plymouth Corporation took on the responsibility of supplying water. To prevent contamination of the water supply, Plymouth Corporation Water Works purchased the majority of the land of the reservoir’s water catchment area in 1916, clearing it of both people and farm animals.

In 1917 the perimeter of this land was marked by a series of granite boundary stones inscribed PCWW/1917. Some 57 of those original stones are still in situ with possibly another three or four missing.

A team of enthusiastic volunteers assembled near Gutter Tor recently and, heavily equipped, re-erected the stone which was 6 ft (1.8m) in length, somewhat shorter than others, its base perhaps having previously been broken off.

In consultation with old maps and observation of neighbouring stones, the group determined the location of the original site and some of the team set about digging a new hole in the correct position (SX 5788 6775). Meanwhile the rest of the team set about manoeuvring the 1,750 lb (800 kg) stone up the bank and into position.

Then with one final gargantuan ‘heave’ it was upended into its socket hole and tightly secured with packing stones.

Infilling with earth and restoring the surrounding vegetation, and after a final photo to record the event, the group took off to the Royal Oak in Meavy for a well-earned celebratory drink.