Monument record 9704/24 - WW2 military ordnance dump, A509

A Second World War military ordnance dump is visible as buildings on historic aerial photographs. Located on the A509 between Bozeat Grange and Northey Farm are 11 rectangular military buildings/covered ammunition stands that extend over 145 metres. These were storage areas for the Sharnbrook Forward Ammunition Supply Depot (AAF-583) (NRHE 1619112), 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 to Sharnbrook railway station and then dispersed into storage areas alongside public roads. Aerial photographs taken in 1968 suggest that all of 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 on the A509 between Bozeat Grange and Northey Farm and centred at SP 90110 56312, 11 rectangular military buildings/covered ammunition stands, each being about 4.5 x 2.5 metres, set out along the west side of the road over about 145 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 1968 suggest that all of the ordnance dump buildings/structures have been demolished by that time.

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

<1> Bedford Borough Council HER, 1968, Georeferenced composite layer of vertical aerial photographs taken in 1968. Held by Bedford Borough Council HER (Archive). SNN112712.

<2> Vertical Aerial Photograph, RAF/CPE/UK/1994 FS 2196 13-APR-1947 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN112695.

Record last edited

Feb 17 2025 6:45PM