NHER 27257 (Monument record) - Possible World War Two earthworks

December 2004. Norfolk NMP.
A group of possible World War Two earthworks is visible on aerial photographs within the garden of 9 Cliff Drive, Cromer (S1 and S2). The site is centred on TG 2245 4202. These may represent a trench or shelter constructed in the garden, although the World War Two origin is not definite, as the features may relate to landscaping or construction work. In 1941 there is a recently disturbed area abutting the property boundary to the east. The individual features them cannot be seen clearly on the aerial photographs, but it has the appearance of an irregular wedge shaped mound, with a possible trench to the west and a linear bank to the north. Given the location and the date it is possible that these are part of an air raid shelter, although this is not certain. These features are still visible in 1946 (S2) and by the 1960s a series of garden structures are visible at this location (S3).

An angular mound is also visible on aerial photographs from 1967 and 2002 (S3-4) in the garden of number 11 Cliff Drive. The mound is rectangular and measures 8m by 6.5m. A mound in the garden of number 17 Cliff Drive had originally been recorded as being surviving underground remains of the Cromer Coastal Battery (NHER 32566). The possible underground bunker, originally thought to be an underground control house for the battery, has since been proved by excavation to be of non-military and non-archaeological origin. Details of this investigation are recorded under NHER 41143. Due to this misinterpretation in it worth noting that the large rectangular mound in the garden of number 11 does not appear to be visible in 1941 (S1). A possible raised area may be discernible at this location in 1941, although this is not completely convincing. Also a possible rectangular area of slightly parched grass is visible in 1946 (S2), although there is no associated illusion of height. Given the large size and angular nature of the mound clearly visible in 1967 and 2002 (S3 and S4), it seems unlikely that it would not be more clearly visible, even if it had been cleverly camouflaged, such as the underground structures to the east.
S. Massey (NMP), 29 December 2004.