NHER 42281 (Monument record) - A World War Two barrage balloon site, Recreation Ground, Gorleston-on-Sea

January 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A World War Two barrage balloon site is visible on aerial photographs from 1944 at Gorleston Recreation Ground (S1)-(S2). The site consists of two concentric rings of concrete tethering blocks with a central balloon. The existing pavilion building appears to have been incorporated into the operation of the site, although two new concrete structures appear to have been constructed. These are likely to have been for accommodation and equipment. The entire site is centred on TG 5223 0447, although the actual balloon mooring is centred on TG 5226 0451. There a great many barrage balloon moorings in the Great Yarmouth area, including three in Gorleston-on-Sea (see also NHER 42291 and 42457) and two on the South Denes (NHER 42455 and 42456). The siting of these would suggest that they have been placed around the perimeter of the main town and harbour area, that which required the greatest defence.

The actual balloon is visible in May 1944 (S1) and this is moored to two full concentric rings of concrete circular blocks. Some traces of a third inner ring of tethers are visible, although it is quite fragmentary when compared with the others. Within the central mooring is a ring of rectangular concrete blocks, which are arranged around a square feature. At TG 5229 0450 is a rectangular structure, 6m by 3m, which appears to have been associated with the operation of the site. The remains of similar structures was identified at the other barrage balloon sites in Gorleston-on-Sea, see NHER 42291, 42455 to 24457. The pavilion buildings to the immediate east of this structure are likely to have been used by the RAF troops running the barrage balloon site. Between May and July 1944 the site was dismantled, other than the two concrete structures mentioned below (S2).

Along the southwestern edge of the recreation area are two rectangular flat-roofed concrete structures, centred on TG 5218 0440. The larger of the two measuring 13.5m by 8.5m and the smaller structure measuring 6m by 3.5m. These appear to be recently constructed and are therefore assumed to be part of the barrage balloon site. They are next to a larger pitched roof structure, which is probably associated with the playing field. The concrete structure is still standing in 1965, although it later appears to be get replaced by the building now used as a community centre, which is of a similar size and shape although positioned slightly to the west. The skatepark now covers the location of the two possible World War Two structures.

At the northern end of the recreation area at TG 5223 0458 is an elongated cleared area measuring 10.5m by 2.5m. This has a similar surface colour and texture to the disturbed areas associated with barrage balloon itself in July 1944 (S2), however it does not appear any different in the earlier 1944 aerial photographs (S1) when the site was still operational. Therefore it is possible that it is not military in origin and could be a long jump pit or similar recreational feature and was not mapped.
S. Massey (NMP), 25 January 2006.