NHER 38906 (Monument record) - Possible site of World War Two structures

October 2004. Norfolk NMP.
Two possible World War Two structures are visible on aerial photographs in 1941 located within a field boundary running in-between Runton Road and Cromer Road (S1). The structures are quite obscured by the surrounding boundary bank and vegetation and therefore a definite interpretation is not possible. However it is possible that they consist of a square or rectangular gun emplacement or pillbox, with an associated blast wall and a possible spigot mortar emplacement or similar small circular gun position. This boundary defines an area of allotment gardens to the west of Wyndham Park and therefore both structures could relate to allotment activity. However the site is located to immediate south of a large World War Two military training and coastal defence site located on the cliffs (NHER 38893). The site is centred on TG 2042 4251. The larger possible structure is located at the southern end of the boundary at TG 2042 4248 and the smaller feature is located at TG 2042 4255, approximately half way towards the northern, Runton Road end.

The northern component is only visible as a 1-1.5m diameter circular, possibly concrete structure. This may be sitting within a circular pit, although the vegetation makes it hard to be sure. This structure has the appearance of a spigot mortar emplacement. The southern structure is visible amongst the vegetation as being at least 3m across and either rectangular or square. To the immediate south is a 1m wide and 2m long wall. This has the appearance of a blast wall and therefore taking as a whole the structure may represents a small pillbox or gun emplacement.

The situation of these possible structures immediately next to an area of allotments could indicate that neither of these features is actually military, as it is prime location for the dumping of material and placing of small temporary structures against the field boundary. Neither of the locations would appear provide obviously advantageous firing positions. However it is possible that they are outlier defences for the military site to the north (NHER 38893) and the two approach roads to Cromer.
See (S1).
S. Massey (NMP) 22 October 2004.