NHER 54569 (Monument record) - Earthworks of a possible World War Two firing range

January 2011. Norfolk NMP.
The earthworks of a possible World War Two shooting or firing range may be visible on the aerial photographs (S1-S2) within Shadwell Park (NHER 29366). The site is centred on TL 9318 8303. The site consists of an arrangement of banks and trenches, which would appear to form a shooting butt and target stand, although it is feasible that they relate to a post medieval park feature. These features have a similar appearance to shooting ranges recorded at other World War Two training sites, for example NHER 53361. The presence of this feature could suggest that Shadwell Court and Park were commandeered for military use during the war, although there are no extensive signs of military training exercises taking place within the park. However there are two areas of military buildings within the trees along the southern boundary of the park, see NHER 54570. It is possible that military officers were stationed at the house and that the shooting range was utilised by them. Alternatively the shooting range may pre-date World War Two and could be late nineteenth or early twentieth century in date and associated with the house. However some components of the earthworks do look reasonably fresh in the 1940s, although this could relate to maintenance of an existing feature. Aerial photographs from 1988 (S3) would suggest that at least some of these earthworks remain, now encroached by trees.
S. Horlock (NMP), 28 January 2011.