NHER 42299 (Monument record) - A World War Two hut and two air raid shelters on Riverside Road, West Quay, Gorleston on Sea

January 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A World War Two hut, possibly a nissen, and two probable air raid shelters are visible on aerial photographs on Riverside Road, West Quay, Gorleston (S1). The site is centred on TG 5281 0459. The hut and shelters are probably associated with the group of defences on the quayside to the immediate east, NHER 42292. The hut measures 11m by 6m and has a curved profile roof. To the immediate west of this is an oblong mound, measuring 6m by 3m, built up against the wall. It is possible that this is an Anderson shelter or air raid shelter construction. To the north of this is an elongated mound, 24m long and 5m across. It is possible that this is also some sort of covered air raid shelter, although the texture of the vegetation covering the mound is quite rough and thick, unlike other, more definite shelters in the area. This long bank of material is situated within an area of disturbed ground, which is depicted as buildings on the Ordnance Survey Second Edition map (1902 to 1907, 25 inch) (S2). It is possible that this is a bomb site, however there is not definite sign of recent bomb damage in the September 1940 oblique aerial photographs (S3), the area looks similarly disturbed, but not to the extent that buildings have recently been bombed. Bombing raids started in July 1940 (S4). The most likely explanation is that the buildings have been demolished before the Second World War. The industrial tower or chimney that remains standing at TG 5282 0461, must be a component of the earlier building complex and it is unlikely that this would have remained standing, if the area had been bombed. This site has since been redeveloped so it is unlikely that any traces of the structures remain.
S. Massey (NMP), 05 January 2006.