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Summary

A circular structure visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946 is interpreted as an Emergency Water Supply reservoir. The structure appears to have been removed by October 1945 but a circular footing remains visible on aerial photographs from 1946 to 1989.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• WATER TANK (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1501, NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 4009-4010 13-MAY-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349927.

A circular structure is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1631, NMR RAF/106G/UK/1631 4079-4080 08-JUL-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349549.

Probably only the footing or base of the circular tank is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1956, RAF/82/1451, NMR RAF/543/2821 F63 0215-0216 27-APR-1964 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349052.

The circular structure is not visible.

Royal Air Force, 1956, RAF/82/1451, NMR RAF/82/1451 (F21) 0044-0045 12-JUL-1956 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349052.

The circular structure is not visible.

Royal Air Force, 1964, RAF/543/2821 F63, NMR RAF/543/2821 F63 0215-0216 27-APR-1964 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349997.

The circular structure is not visible.

Carpenter, E., 2008, The South Downs NMP Pilot Report 1: Worthing to the Weald., 45-47 (Monograph). SDV349887.

Emergency Water Supply reservoirs were constructed from early 1941. Circular forms were normally between 10 and 12 metres in diamater.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S., 2011 - 2012, North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV349018.

A circular structure is visible on aerial photographs taken in from May 1946 on the eastern corner of Barton lane, in the plots now occupied by Barton Gate and Bye-Field. The structure has been interpreted as a temporary water tank, many of which were constructed during the Second World War and known as EWS (Emergency Water Supply) reservoirs. These were normally used in areas where water supply was disrupted, or at risk of disruption due to air raids, and were usually between 10 and 12 metres in diameter. At circa 8 metres in diameter this is slightly smaller than the norm, but was probably built here due to the town’s proximity to RAF Chivenor. The tank superstructure appears to have been removed by July 1946, but its base or footings remain visible, albeit less clearly, to 1956. It appears to have been removed by April 1964.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV349018	Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S.. 2011 - 2012. North Devon Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Mapping Programme Project. AC Archaeology Report. ACD383/2/1. Digital.
	Linked documents:1
SDV349052	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1956. RAF/82/1451. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/543/2821 F63 0215-0216 27-APR-1964.
SDV349549	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1631. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/1631 4079-4080 08-JUL-1946.
SDV349887	Monograph: Carpenter, E.. 2008. The South Downs NMP Pilot Report 1: Worthing to the Weald.. The South Downs NMP Pilot Report 1: Worthing to the Weald.. 11-2008. 45-47.
SDV349927	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1501. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 4009-4010 13-MAY-1946. [Mapped feature: #62085 ]
SDV349997	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1964. RAF/543/2821 F63. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. NMR RAF/543/2821 F63 0215-0216 27-APR-1964.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6132 - North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty NMP Project

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