Building record 8149/1/1 - Storage Bunkers, Yardley Chase NW

{1} A rapid assessment counted some 29 WWII bunkers dispersed over the site and of these only 5 are not located within blast banks. Based on a rapid inspection of half a dozen or so of the buildings, all appear to be of the same basic design. The complex extends over into the woodland to the south east, outside the current training area.
The store building marked at 'A' on the map was utilised for a closer inspection:
The store building at location A is located on the north side of the main access just within the woodland boundary. Single building enclosed by a substantial blast bank and accompanying water filled ditch. The building appears generally in a structurally sound condition but is no longer in use. Its doors are all missing.
The sole access is via a breach in the east side of the earth blast bank, the sides of which are substantially revetted in concrete and braced across the top with two concrete beams. Measured at this point the blast bank is c.13m wide at its base and c.4.80m high. There is no sign of gates or doors having been present. The access accommodated the single railway line access which ran along the north side of the building.
The store building is rectangular under a flat roof and is constructed with a concrete frame infilled with brick, the latter painted (camouflage?) on the exterior. The building measures internally c30.5m ExW by c12.2m NxS and is approximately 5m high. Two longitudinal rows of 8 concrete roof pillars occupy the interior and support concrete beams which in turn support concrete roof beams. The N elevation contains 6 door openings. Apart from one of standard size located at the eastern end, the others (four in some of the other stores) all appear to have been identical and comprised hinged outward opening double doors rising to half the height of the building. These openings measure approximately 2.21m wide by 2.50m high and have brick surrounds with small external guttered canopies and wooden door stops. The doors open to a narrow concrete loading area abutting the rail siding. Five small rectangular and barred windows are located high up on the south elevation with small grill covered ventilators providing the only other wall openings in this and the east and west elevations. Apart from some vestigial electric light(?) fittings over the doors, no other internal fittings are present. Some at least of the painted lines and hand written notes on the pillars presumably relate to storage arrangements.

{2} Letter from Mr T.N. Parker, who remembers starting work on the site in the spring of 1942. The main contractor was Sir Robert MacAlpine and work continued until early 1943, though Mr Parker believes some of the larger sheds were in use before then. "They were used to store explosive materials and were surrounded by blast walls about 15' high and constructed by a railway system of around 15 miles of track. Most if not all of the thirty odd sheds were only really accessible by rail, the junction with the main line was at Piddington Station".

<1> Cadman G.E., 1998, Yardley Chase MOD Property: Notes on Rapid Site Inspection, (checked) (Report). SNN49598.

<2> Parker T.N., 1997, Defence of Britain Project, (checked) (Letter). SNN40685.

Record last edited

Jun 13 2013 12:42PM