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Summary

Observation Post 15; one of 22 posts constructed around the Range to ensure safety during training, but also for observing artillery fire and controlling targets. Remains consist of a stone-and-turf shelter. Not considered of good enough condition for Scheduling.

Location

Protected Status

• SHINE: Earthwork and structural remains of late 19th/early 20th century military observation post on Okement Hill, consisting of a stone-and-turf shelter

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX68NW93
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 967092
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX58NE/67

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• OBSERVATION POST (XIX to Early 20th Century - 1850 AD to 1920 AD)

Full description

Royal Commission for the Historical Monuments of England, 1987-1993, Duchy Farms Project Survey Visit, S. Probert (Report - Survey). SDV350839.

(02/09/1993) Observation Post 15 lies adjacent to the military ring road on the broad summit of Okement Hill.
It comprises a stone built shelter protected by a large mound of turf and boulders on its west, north and east sides.
The shelter measures 3.0m east to west by 1.9m internally and 2.2m high. The front, south, side is formed by a cast concrete blast wall 1.5m high. The roof is of reinforced concrete and access is gained via steel rungs cast into the blast wall.
The grass-covered protective mound is retained by a coursed boulder wall up to 2.4m high.
The origin of this structure is uncertain though many of the OPs on Okehampton Range are thought to date from the early 20th century (a). It possesses good views to the south and may still be used as an observation post.

Francis, P., 2002, Okehampton Artillery Range, 13, plate 34 (Report - Survey). SDV359222.

Observation Post 15. Located on Okement Hill, just north of the 'Q' datum point. Identical design to 17 and consists of a natural stone walled shelter with a reinforced concrete roof supported by rolled steel joists. The front elevation has a half-height reinforced concrete blast wall which is independent of the main structure. The post is covered in earth and grass (only a thin covering remains on the roof probably as a result of wind erosion) with granite block retaining wall around three sides. SX60254 87767.

Probert, S. A. J. + Newman, P., 2003-2004, Measured survey North Dartmoor Military Range Okehampton Range: Monument Baseline Condition Survey, S. Probert (Report - Survey). SDV350801.

(26/01/2004) This feature remains largely as described in 1993 though some of the drystone facing to the protective mound has been rebuilt.

GeoInformation Group Ltd, 2010, 1:625 2010 Colour (12.5cm resolution) (Aerial Photograph). SDV346026.

Site of the observation post visible on the aerial photography.

English Heritage, 2015, Okehampton Artillery Range: Various Observation Posts (Schedule Document). SDV359220.

Observation Posts 3, 15, 17 and 22 are not recommended for scheduling for the following principal
reasons:
Survival: they do not survive as well as similar structures on this range, having undergone a greater
level of alterations. They are also not as closely related to other artillery range features.
Group value: although not of sufficient national importance in their own right, the structures have group value with the other related military training features and form part of the Range's historical development and context.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7620 - Okehampton Artillary Range
• EDV8409 - Dartmoor Royal Forest Project
• EDV8679 - Okehampton Range: Management Survey
• EDV8291 - Okehampton Range: Monument Baseline Condition Survey
• EDV8695 - Survey of Okehampton North Dartmoor Military Range
• EDV8423 - Duchy Farms Project

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.