Monument record 9704/12 - WW2 military ordnance dump, old Wollaston Road

A Second World War military ordnance dump is visible as buildings on historic aerial photographs. Located along Wollaston Road west of Red Gables Farm, 9 rectangular military buildings / covered ammunition stands are set out roughly equidistant along both sides of the road over about 85 metres. These ammunition dumps were storage areas for the Sharnbrook Forward Ammunition Supply Depot (AAF-583) (NRHE 1619112), an Ordnance Depot used for bomb and ammunition storage to supply operational airbases occupied by the 1st Air Division of the US 8th Air Force. Aerial photographs taken in 1949 show that all the ordnance dump buildings/structures have been demolished by that time.

{1-2} A Second World War military ordnance dump is visible as buildings on historic aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the Bedford Borough NMP project. Located along Wollaston Road west of Red Gables Farm and centred at SP 90524 59880, 9 rectangular military buildings / covered ammunition stands, each about 3.5 x 2.5 metres, are set out roughly equidistant along both sides of the road over about 85 metres. These ammunition dumps were storage areas for the Sharnbrook Forward Ammunition Supply Depot (AAF-583) (NRHE 1619112), an Ordnance Depot used for bomb and ammunition storage to supply operational airbases occupied by the 1st Air Division of the US 8th Air Force. Military stores were delivered by rail to Sharnbrook station, whereupon they were deposited into these storage areas dispersed alongside public roads. Aerial photographs taken in 1949 show that all the ordnance dump buildings/structures have been demolished by that time.

<1> Vertical Aerial Photograph, RAF/3G/TUD/UK/118 RVp1 6074 03-APR-1946 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN112695.

<2> Vertical Aerial Photograph, RAF/541/341 RP 3138 15-AUG-1949 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN112695.

<3> Bedford Borough Council HER, Undated, Bedford Borough NMP, MD003015 (Archive). SNN113023.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 6:46PM