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Summary

Four structures of probable Second World War date and possible military function are visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s in a coastal position overlooking Hele Beach. The function of the structures is unknown, but it is possible they are associated with the Emergency Coastal Battery at Ilfracombe, approximately one kilometre to the west. Most of the structures have been removed by 1956.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• MILITARY BUILDING? (XX - 1946 AD to 1956 AD?)

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1904 - 1906, Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map (Cartographic). SDV325644.

No structures are depicted in this location.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1501, NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 4389-90 13-MAY-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349927.

Four structures of varied shape and size are visible.

Royal Air Force, 1956, RAF/82/1451, NMR RAF/82/1451 F22 0063-0064 12-JUL-1956 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349052.

One structure remains visible.

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

Four structures of probable Second World War date and possible military function are visible on aerial photographs of the 1940s in a coastal position overlooking Hele Beach. None of the structures are depicted on the Ordnance Survey second edition 25 inch map andmust therefore post-date 1904-6. Two structures, the largest of which is circa 8 metres square, are centred at SS53774793. Two further rectangular structures are located in the field two the south, one of which is substantially larger at circa 19 by 8 metres in size. The function of the structures is unknown. They do not appear to be domestic in function and could simply be agricultural in origin. Nonetheless, it is possible they had a military role and potentially were associated with the Emergency Coastal Battery at Ilfracombe, approximately one kilometre to the west. Most of the structures had been removed by 1956. A structure remains visible at circa SS53804784, annotated on the Ordnance Survey Mastermap as ‘The Highlands’, but it is not possible to tell from the aerial photograph alone whether this the same structure as was visible in 1946, perhaps converted into a dwelling, or a later replacement.

Ordnance Survey, 2012, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV348725.

One structure remains depicted, annotated 'The Highlands'.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV325644	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 1904 - 1906. Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Second Edition Ordnance Survey 25 inch Map. Map (Digital).
SDV348725	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2012. MasterMap. Ordnance Survey. Map (Digital).
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/82/1451 F22 0063-0064 12-JUL-1956.
SDV349927	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1501. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 4389-90 13-MAY-1946. [Mapped feature: #62587 ]

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

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

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