Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Monument Number 1124639
Hob Uid: 1124639
Location : Somerset Somerset West and Taunton Minehead Without
Grid Ref : SS9309848082
Summary : A Second World War earthen mound is visible as an earthwork. The flat-topped earthen mound measures 34m by 18 m and 2 metres high. On the northern face of the mound is a `staple-shaped' revetment wall (ie a length of wall with a short return at either end). The wall is 8.9 m long and its upper parts comprise mortared stonework to a height of 0.9 m. Below the stone and only just visible at ground level the wall is constructed of concrete. This suggests that the stonework is acting as protection for a below ground concrete structure. It is probably the remains of an observation post associated with World War II tank training on North Hill (SS 94 NW 64).
More information : Centred at SS 93098 48082 is a flat topped earthen mound. It measures 34 m by 18 m and is 2 m high. It is amorphous in shape and occupies a spur end position on the south side of Grexy Combe. On the northern face of the mound is a `staple-shaped' revetment wall (ie a length of wall with a short return at either end). The wall is 8.9 m long and its upper parts comprise mortared stonework to a height of 0.9 m. Below the stone and only just visible at ground level the wall is constructed of concrete. This suggests that the stonework is acting as protection for a below ground concrete structure, probably an observation post for the nearby WWII tank training circuits. (See also SS 94 NW 116, 117, 118 and 120). (1) The mound referred to above (1) is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs. The mound is centred at SS 9287 4814 and measures about 40m long by 19m wide and is as described above. (2-3) The Defence of Britain non invasion database number is 76. (4)

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source : Field Investigators Comments
Source details : R Wilson-North 26 Feb 1998 RCHME Field Investigation
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Source Number : 2
Source : Vertical aerial photograph reference number
Source details : RAF/106G/UK/1655 4010-4011 11-JUL-1946
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Source Number : 3
Source : Vertical aerial photograph reference number
Source details : NMR OS/79013 162-163 17-APR-1979
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Source Number : 4
Source : Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources
Source details : The two databases developed by the Project can be searched on-line through the Archaeology Data Service at http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/specColl/dob/index.cfm
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Second World War
Display Date : Second World War
Monument End Date : 1945
Monument Start Date : 1939
Monument Type : Mound, Observation Post
Evidence : Earthwork, Conjectural Evidence

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : SMR Number (Somerset)
External Cross Reference Number : 35814
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : DoB Non Anti Invasion Database UID
External Cross Reference Number : 76
External Cross Reference Notes :

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : SS 94 NW 119
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Associated Monuments : 1102198
Relationship type : General association

Associated Monuments : 1124600
Relationship type : General association

Associated Monuments : 1124606
Relationship type : General association

Associated Monuments : 1124609
Relationship type : General association

Associated Monuments : 1124640
Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities : Primary, THE DEFENCE OF BRITAIN PROJECT
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1995-04-01
End Date : 2002-03-01

Associated Activities : Primary, GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL: SEVERN ESTUARY NMP, RAPID COASTAL ZONE ASSESSMENT SURVEY
Activity type : AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION
Start Date : 2006-04-10
End Date : 2008-11-01

Historic England Research Records

Monument Number 1124639