Monument record 3334 - WWII Searchlight battery, south-west of New Hay Farm

World War II searchlight emplacement. The site can been seen in the cropmarks. It was probably constructed between 1939 and 1945 but has since been destroyed. Cropmarks have also been noted in this area by the Archaeological Field Investigators (AMIE: 345218, 345219) and could possibily be this searchlight emplacement. It was located at Yardley Hastings.

{1} Cropmarks of unknown form are said to exist here (SP856553).

{2} Uncertain cropmarks at SP857553.

SMR Note: {1} and {2} may be a misrtepresentation of site ref 3335 200m east

{3} RAF vertical photograph 4194 (13th April, 1947) shows 3 circular cropmarks inside a rectangular enclosure. To the east another circular mark in a rectangular enclosure and in the north-west corner of the field towards the road is another and larger rectangular area which may indicate the site of the huts and vehicle park. The sites have been destroyed.

{4} Aerial photo reference in {3} above is wrong. It should be CPE/UK/1926 frame 5008, taken 16th Jan 1947.

{5} Comprises of four ring ditches seen on aerial photos; three closely grouped and with the forth set a short distance to the east - very similar form to other AA/SL battery sites. NCC aerial photos SP8555/002 and SP8555/018.

{6} A Armishaw's NGR converted from the MGR places the S/L some 830-900 metres SW of the recorded cropmarks. Is this simply an error in 1940's recording/transcribing the MGR or does it relate to a separate site? The 1947 aerial photos do not suggest presence of a S/L at SP 8503 5466. No sign of S/L site hutting at the latter. Hutting may as suggested by Hollowell, have been located in the NW corner of the fied containing the S/L or just possibly it may have been accommodated within Newhay Copse just to the SW of the S/L battery.

{10} World War II searchlight emplacement. SRF, with a location plan. The site can been seen in the cropmarks. It was probably constructed between 1939 and 1945 but has since been destroyed. Cropmarks have also been noted in this area by the Archaeological Field Investigators (AMIE: 345218, 345219) and could be this searchlight emplacement. It was located at Yardley Hastings.

{12} (SP 857553) Cropmarks

{13} Under pasture; nothing of archaeological interest seen.

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1979, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p. 182/Site 1 (Series). SNN77380.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1950s/1960s, Ordnance Survey Record Cards, SP 85 NE 33 (Index). SNN443.

<3> HOLLOWELL S., 1998, Defence of Britain Recording Report (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN51547.

<4> Cadman G., 2014, 20th Century Military Archaeology in Northamptonshire: Logs 1, 2 & 3, p. 110 (Report). SNN104868.

<5> Northamptonshire SMR Collection of Aerial Photographs (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104822.

<7> Cadman, G., 2003, Potters Clay Searchlight Site (Note). SNN103536.

<8> Hall D.N., 1997, Northamptonshire Forests: Fineshade, Westhay, Southwick & Yardley Chase (Archaeological Interpretation Survey, Part 2), (part checked) (Report). SNN62050.

<9> Hall D. N., 1997, Northamptonshire Forests: Fineshade, Westhay, Southwick & Yardley Chase (Archaeological Interpretation Survey, Part 2 Maps 1997), (part checked) (Map). SNN62051.

<10> Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources (Database). SNN112922.

<11> Historic England, Undated, Defence of Britain, DEB01 (Archive). SNN112947.

<12> Northampton Museum 6 Inch Map (Map). SNN10162.

<13> Baird, J., 1970, Field investigators comments, F1 JB 02-SEP-70 (Notes). SNN110341.

Record last edited

Feb 3 2025 7:38PM