Monument record 8564/1/1 - WWII Slit Trench & Accompanying Earthworks

World War II concrete lined, brick and earth slit trench and accompanying upcast clay/soil mound. Constructed in the period 1940 to 1941 and seen during field visits in 1998 in a very bad condition. It is orientated approx north to south, about 500 meters west of Fawsley Dower House and overlooking the valley below. Mound in front on eastern side, brick revetted on its rear face. Concrete on three sides with open side and slight depression being the entrance on its north end. It measures 10.15m x 1.60m x 1.40m (deep). Original base cannot seen through the rubble and plant growth. The concrete is continuous and about 24cm thick at sides and 38cm at end, southern end is intact but the rest is collapsing inwards. The brick on the bank is mortared and now very eroded. It is located to the east of Fawsley Dower House.

{1} A concrete-lined slit trench and accompanying upcast clay/soil mound. Orientated approx north-nouth, about 500m west of Fawsley Dower House and overlooking the valley below. Mound in front on east side, brick revetted on it rear (west) face. Concrete on three sides with open side and slight depression being the entrance on its northern end. It is in very bad condition due to natural degradation and because it is very overgrown. There is a sketch plan and section drawing. It was constructed of concrete, brick and soil/clay.

{2} Sketch plan and section not to scale.

{3} Three paper copies of slides taken of the site. Slides are held by Buildings.

{4} Brown & Anscomb's article refers to 'Fawsley Wood'; likely to be Badby Wood (approx centre SP56505820).

{5} Woodford Halse Home Guard firing range moved to Fawsley Wood but "….not as elaborate as the original one…."; location not determined.

{6} "The trench provided cover for the men who worked the targets. I have checked the earth bank and found it to be full of bullets, mostly .303 and 9mm. There is also a mature oak standing behind the range which is full of holes!"

{7} Parallel and a short distance west (and up the slope) of the trench and bank described above is a second earthwork bank. This is slighter in nature and lacks any accompanying concrete lined trench. Interpreted as a second firing range target bank.

{8} World War II concrete lined, brick and earth slit trench and accompanying upcast clay/soil mound. Constructed in the period 1940 to 1941 and seen during field visits in 1998 in a very bad condition. It is orientated approx north to south, about 500 meters west of Fawsley Dower House and overlooking the valley below. Mound in front on eastern side, brick revetted on its rear face. Concrete on three sides with open side and slight depression being the entrance on its north end. It measures 10.15m x 1.60m x 1.40m (deep). Original base cannot seen through the rubble and plant growth. The concrete is continuous and about 24cm thick at sides and 38cm at end, southern end is intact but the rest is collapsing inwards. The brick on the bank is mortared and now very eroded. It is located to the east of Fawsley Dower House.

<1> THORNE A.; PRENTICE J., 1998, DEFENCE OF BRITAIN REPORT FORMS, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN51510.

<2> THORNE A.; PRENTICE J., 1998, SKETCH PLAN, (unchecked) (Plan). SNN44027.

<3> CADMAN G.E., 1998, PHOTOGRAPHS, (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN51635.

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

<5> BROWN T.; ANSCOMB J., Northamptonshire Local History News, 16 (unchecked) (Article). SNN48316.

<6> Armishaw A., 1999, CORRESPONDENCE, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN48317.

<7> CADMAN G.E., 1999, SMR REPORT FORM, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN49650.

<8> Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources (Database). SNN112922.

<9> Historic England, Undated, Defence of Britain, DEB01 (Archive). SNN112947.

Record last edited

Mar 1 2024 11:37AM