NHER 42289 (Monument record) - World War Two air raid shelter at Stradbrooke First School, Gorleston-on-Sea

January 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A group of World War Two air raid shelters is visible on aerial photographs within the grounds of Stradbrooke First School, Gorleston-on-Sea (S1). The site is centred on TG 5253 0411. The site consists of one large communal shelter, plus several smaller individual shelters and surface structures, some of which may also be air raid shelters. These shelters would have protected both the staff and students attending the school, although the large numbers of shelters could also suggest that it served nearby inhabitants. It is also probable that the shelters would have served the troops operating the nearby barrage balloon site (NHER 42291).

The shelters have been constructed by February 1941 (S1), but are being modified or improved at this time. There are also possible signs of current work or construction in 1944 and by this time they have an altered appearance to that visible in 1941 (S2).

In 1941 a 10m L-shaped bank is visible, with an oblong, possibly concrete structure at one end, centred on TG 5253 0413 and measuring 4m by 3m. This surface structure is possibly the entrance to a covered shelter. To the immediate west of this is an irregularly shaped cut into the ground surface. The profile of this cut would suggest that it may also be a shelter entrance, possibly in the process of being constructed. At TG 5253 0412 is a light coloured, possibly concrete, surface or structure, measuring 6m by 4m. The aerial photograph is a copy and the site is not within a stereo view area, therefore it is hard to discern the nature of this possible structure. In 1944 the shelter appears to have one main rectangular cut into the surface acting as an entrance at TG 5253 0412, measuring 6m by 2m. The main body of the shelter is now showing as two low oblong mounds, 16m by 6m, projecting out of which are three square air vents or exits (S2)-(S3). This shelter has been built upon by April 1947 (S4).

Also visible in 1944 are several groups of rectangular surface structures within the grounds of the school (S2). There are four in a row, centred on TG 5251 0410, all measuring 3.5m by 2m. A further two structures are tucked into the far west of the school buildings, centred on TG 5249 0413; one is 4.5m by 4m and the other is 4.5m by 2m, this has a blast wall surrounding three sides of the structure. A row of four concrete surface structures is also visible on the Lowestoft Road entrance to the school, centred on TG 5256 0408. Three of these structures measure 5m by 3.5m and the fourth consists of an L-shaped wall, the interior of which is obscured by shadow. All of these structures have been removed by 1945 (S3). It is assumed that the majority of these structures are surface air raid shelters.
S. Massey (NMP), 24 January 2006.