| Summary : A Second World War military camp and Polish re-settlement camp. The encampment reportedly originated as a camp for tank training in the parkland by Canadian and British troops and was eventually converted into a Polish re-settlement camp. It comprises the concrete and brick foundations of several dozen lightly-built or prefabricated rectangular buildings and huts, of varying size and form, either cut into or platformed out from the natural slope . The overall layout is irregular, the buildings set at odd angles to each other is some cases, but effectively forming a series of informal terraces along the slope. The camp, consisting of military buildings and weapons pits, is visible as structures, demolished buildings and earthworks on air photographs. Most of the camp appears to be no longer extant on the latest 2009 vertical photography, and it is not possible to discern the latest evidence for other elements due to dense tree cover. A small number of buildings appear to be extant. |
More information : (SE 6000 8245) Second World War encampment and Prisoner of War camp.
In early April 2010, English Heritage Research Department 's Archaeological Survey & Investigation team carried out a Level 1 analytical field survey in advance of a training exercise for community groups.
An extensive Second World War encampment occupies a strip some 600 meters long by 150 meters wide, following the crest of the steep natural escarpment that defines the southern edge of Duncombe Park. The encampment would have been hidden from the air and from the great house by woodland (formerly part of the park's ornamental planting, now a plantation primarily of beech). A former drive through the park was resurfaced in concrete to give access to the encampment, and extended by a new concrete road looping back northwards and then eastwards to rejoin the original route, apparently in order to create a 'one-way system'. A series of hard standings for vehicles alongside the section of road through the woodland are still evident, some now in use for storage of various materials. Further down the slope, a second park drive or broad path was also used to provide access, although apparently without significant improvement and probably for pedestrian use only, and a string of buildings faced onto each side of it. The encampment reportedly originated as a camp for tank training in the parkland by Canadian and British troops and was eventually converted into a Prisoner of War camp. It comprises the concrete and brick foundations of several dozen lightly-built or prefabricated rectangular buildings and huts, of varying size and form, either cut into or platformed out from the natural slope . Due to the gradient, many of the foundations incorporate flights of concrete steps. The overall layout is irregular, the buildings set at odd angles to each other is some cases , but effectively forming a series of informal terraces along the slope. At the west end of the encampment, the concrete road terminates in a broader surfaced area, which may have served as a parade ground or similar. South-west of this, a single long Nissen hut is identifiable; a steel rib from the roof survives, though not in situ. (1)
A Second World War military camp, consisting of military buildings and weapons pits, is visible as structures, demolished buildings and earthworks on air photographs. Most of the camp appears to be no longer extant on the latest 2009 vertical photography, and it is not possible to discern the latest evidence for other elements due to dense tree cover. The camp is probably associated with anti-glider ditches (UID 1424703) in the centre of the Duncombe Park. A small number of buildings appear to be extant.
(2-3)
Duncombe Park Camp was never a prisoner-of-war camp. After the British and Canadian troops left, the camp was a Polish re-settlement corps camp and occupied by the Polish 4th Armoured Regiment. Also the 2nd Warsaw Armoured Brigade, who arrived from Italy. (4) |