NHER 38940 (Monument record) - World War Two military training site

November 2004. Norfolk NMP.
A large World War Two military training site is located on the Cromer Golf Links and adjoining cliff top, extending as far as the Cromer Lighthouse to the west (NHER 14457) and to the north of Overstrand Hall to the east (NHER 6478). This includes several groups of practice slit trenches, weapons pits, spigot mortar emplacements and barbed wire obstruction. The site is centred on TG 2355 4127. A type 22 pillbox is positioned at this eastern end of the site (NHER 38941). These military earthworks and structures are visible on aerial photographs ranging from 1940-6 (S1 to S6). Contemporary ground shots of the troops training on the cliffs and Golf Links reveal the sorts of tasks and exercises undertaken at this site (Brooks, 1988: 17) (S7).
The cliff edge of the Golf Links has been protected along part of its length by barbed wire obstruction. In particular to the east, where this barrier forms a loop around the pillbox (NHER 38941), erected in-between August 1941 (S2) and June 1942 (S5). This section of the barbed wire defences was left in place until at least April 1946 (S6). A zigzag section of slit trench has also been created by 1940 along the cliff edge to the north of the pillbox (S1). The path along the cliff top appears to have been augmented with barbed wire in places by 1946 (S6). This linear sometimes has the appearance of a bank, although when the linear crosses over slightly collapsed sections of the cliff edge it is clear that it is barbed wire or possibly a fence. A fence is visible along this path in 1941 (S2 to S4), although this feature is too slight to create a linear feature visible in 1946, suggesting that the barrier added to during the training site’s use. Possible sections of slit trench also appear to run along the cliff top, for example from TG 2383 4132 to TG 2378 4135 (S6). The area to the south of the Lighthouse (NHER 14457) and alongside the former brickworks (NHER 15845) appears to also have barbed wire defences in April 1946, including a lozenge-shaped enclosure at TG 2301 4142 (S6).

In the central area of the site, centred on TG 2355 4127, at which point is a cluster of areas of weapons pits and practice trenches, located on the higher rough ground on Dick’s Close Hill. These have been defined by extent of areas on the NMP maps and only the more substantial features mapped individually. In amongst these features are a series of earthwork banks and boundaries which appear to be post medieval, these were not mapped as they are mainly marked on the 2nd edition map (1902-7, 25") (S8). A small rectangular structure is also visible within this area of practice trenches, at TG 2356 4119, measuring 5m by 2m. This structure survives into the post-war period, until at least the early 1950s (S9), so it is possible that it is not military in origin, although it is likely to have been incorporated into the military training site.

To the east of this main area of trenches, centred on TG 2391 4121, is a further group of weapons pits and practice trenches. To the immediate west of this abutting up to an existing boundary bank is a rectangular structure, 5.5m by 3m. Again this structure survives post war and therefore may not be military in origin (S9). A possible spigot mortar emplacement or similar small circular gun emplacement is visible within this area of features at 2391 4122, although the aerial photographs are not clear enough to provide a definite identification (S6). A group of larger oblong pits to the east may also be military although they do not appear as fresh and could easily be earlier sand pits and bunkers relating to the golf course and were therefore not mapped. A further rectangular hut is visible at approximately 2438 4109 in 1940 only (S1).

Towards the eastern end of the golf course are four straight trenches with an accompanying bank, two of which are centred on approximately TG 2406 4112. These are all visible in 1940 and 1941 (S1 to S3) and mostly levelled by 1942 (S5). These features were sketched rather than mapped due to the aerial photographs being too oblique and lacking in control points to be able to rectify.

Focused around the Lighthouse (NHER 14457) at the western end of the site is another group of military training features. A group of weapons pits and short trenches are visible in a line centred on TG 2305 4153. These features are cut into the slope of the hill and further down the slope is a line of pits linked by either a trench or terraced path. These must have been dug inbetween August 1941 and June 1942 (S4 and S5). Two short slit trenches in particular, at TG 2306 4149 and TG 2309 4145, have the appearance of having internal feature within the trench, although the aerial photographs are not clear enough for a definite identification. A series of larger earthwork trenches are visible cut into the northern slope of the hill. Some of these are obviously the result of practice trench digging, such as at TG 2302 4157, although others appear to have possibly been caused through possibly vehicular access or repeated movement, as at TG 2299 4157. These tracks possibly accentuated existing or natural hollows in the slope, visible in 1941 (S4) prior to the major military training activity on the site visible in June 1942 (S5). Further parallel linear earthworks mapped within area appear to relate to earlier land use or boundaries, see NHER 38942).
Two spigot mortars are recorded as existing on the Golf course in the survey of defences remaining following the war (Cromer defences NRO C/P8/1/290) (S11). It is not known at present where these defences were positioned on the course. There are several small circular pit like features visible within this western area of the site. Unfortunately due to the size and poor quality of some the aerial photographs it is hard to identify the exact nature of some of these features and it is possible that some of them may relate to spigot mortar emplacement sites. A circular pit at TG 2298 4163 is visible in 1946 (S6) and later in the 1950s (S9 and S10). Although no definite internal concrete base is visible. Two additional small circular features are visible centred on TG 2298 4149. These have the appearance of two low circular concrete bases, 1m to 2m in diameter. Again it is possible that these relate to spigot mortars or similar gun emplacements. Situated next to these two circular bases is a larger rectangular base, presumed also to be concrete and military. To the north of this is in 1953-5 a further possible circular emplacement is visible at TG 2300 4149 (S9 and S10), although this feature is not clearly visible pre-1953 and therefore may not be World War Two in origin.
S. Massey (NMP), 03 November 2004.