NHER 27561 (Monument record) - Site of World War Two air raid shelter

August 2005. Norfolk NMP.
A World War Two air raid shelter is visible on contemporary and later aerial photographs at North Denes Middle School on Jellicoe Road, Great Yarmouth (S1) to (S4). The air raid shelter was located at TG 5304 0997 on the north side of the school buildings. This was a large underground air raid shelter comprising three linked sections, all of which were covered by an earth bank. Paths led from the school buildings to the three entrances of the shelter, all of which were protected by concrete retaining walls. Six small square structures were present on top of the shelter. It is likely that these were either ventilation shafts or emergency escape hatches. The shelter had been constructed by August 1940 (S1) and was still in place in July 1946 (S2). It had been removed by April 1952 (S3).
Aerial photographs from 1944 show that the grounds of the school were in use by the military. At least 50 vehicles were parked in the school grounds and on the edge of the playing field to its north during March 1944 (S4). It is likely that they formed part of the build up of troops prior to the allied invasion of mainland Europe on 6th June better known as Operation Overlord or D-Day. These vehicles had left the school site by 2nd April 1944, having presumably departed for the south coast of England (S5). Great Yarmouth racecourse immediately to the west of the school (NHER 27528) and at two locations in Caister-on-Sea (NHER 27510, 27511) were also used as assembly points for troops and equipment during the summer of 1944.
J. Albone (NMP), 8 August 2005