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HER Number:MDV104349
Name:Military trenches on Cockleridge Ham

Summary

A complex of Second World War trenches are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken between 1941 and 1945, to provide safe access to two probable pillboxes defending the coast. They appear to have been quickly infilled or subsumed by vegetation after the end of the conflict.

Location

Grid Reference:SX 665 441
Map Sheet:SX64SE
Admin AreaDevon
Civil ParishBigbury
DistrictSouth Hams
Ecclesiastical ParishBIGBURY

Protected Status

  • SHINE: Military features dating to World War II at Cockleridge, north of Batham Ham

Other References/Statuses: none recorded

Monument Type(s) and Dates

  • TRENCH (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1941, RAF/S169/H1, NMR SX6644/9 MSO 31191/PO 54 01-JUN-1941 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351056.

A number of sharp-edged trenches are visible.

Royal Air Force, 1945, RAF/106G/UK/967, RAF/106G/UK/967 RS 3143-3144 01-NOV-1945 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351060.

A complex of trenches is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1951, RAF/540/497, NMR RAF/540/497 RS 4115-4116 12-MAY-1951 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351212.

The trenches are not visible.

Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R., 2013-2014, South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Project (Interpretation). SDV351146.

Narrow crenelate and zig-zag ditches are visible as earthworks on aerial photographs taken between 1941 and 1945, apparently leading from Cockleridge to the possible pillboxes on the coast (MDV104346 and MDV 104347). They appear to be newly cut in 1941 and are likely to be Second World War trenches to provide safe access to the military structures, utilising a large pre-existing trench aligned east to west and centred on SX6656844091. The trenches are not visible on later available aerial photographs and are likely to have been naturally or artificially infilled or obscured by vegetation by 1951.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV351056Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1941. RAF/S169/H1. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR SX6644/9 MSO 31191/PO 54 01-JUN-1941.
SDV351060Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1945. RAF/106G/UK/967. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/106G/UK/967 RS 3143-3144 01-NOV-1945. [Mapped features: #63822 ; #63823 ]
SDV351146Interpretation: Hegarty, C. + Knight, S. + Sims, R.. 2013-2014. South Devon Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Project. AC Archaeology Report. Digital.
Linked documents:1
SDV351212Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1951. RAF/540/497. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/540/497 RS 4115-4116 12-MAY-1951.

Associated Monuments

MDV104346Related to: Military Structure on Cockleridge Ham (Monument)
MDV104347Related to: Military Structure on Cockleridge Ham (Monument)

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

  • EDV6127 - Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme (NMP) for South-West England - South Coast Devon (Ref: ACD618)

Date Last Edited:Nov 12 2021 2:06PM

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