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Summary

Three distinct and very individual earthworks located on an extensive level plateau in open moorland are most probably practice military emplacements, either firing positions or target butts. They could date from at least the early 20th century and all three forms are similar features described and illustrated in the Manuals of Field Engineering Vol dated 1908 and 1933 - the British Army standard instructions for defensive earthwork construction.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX59SE137
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1396638

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• BUTTS (Constructed, XX - 1901 AD (Between) to 2000 AD (Between))
• TRENCH (Constructed, XX - 1901 AD (Between) to 2000 AD (Between))
• WEAPONS PIT (Constructed, XX - 1901 AD (Between) to 2000 AD (Between))

Full description

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

(17/03/2004) Three distinct and very individual earthworks located on an extensive level plateau in open moorland are most probably practice military emplacements, either firing positions or target butts. They could date from at least the early 20th century and all three forms are similar features described and illustrated in the Manuals of Field Engineering Vol dated 1908 and 1933 - the British Army standard instructions for defensive earthwork construction.
From SX56959030 to SX 56889035. A curvilinear bank and ditch 89.0 metres long extends across open ground. The predominantly earthen bank (but with some slabs and stones visible) is on average 5.3 metres wide and 1.2 metres high at best with an 0.5 metre deep ditch at the rear. At either end there is an out-turn to the bank with what appears to be the remains of scalloping which could be interpreted as firing positions to cover the central part of the emplacement.
From SX56879037 to SX56869038. A low linear bank with at either end a distinct curve which appears to facilitate a gun position. the 16.0 metre long very spread leathern bank is up to 3.1 metres wide and 0.9 metres high with some stone slabs forming faces to the inside of the curves and some boulders and stones elsewhere. There is no clear evidence of a ditch.
From SX 56879037 to SX 56969038. A very sinuous low bank, 82.0 metres long with some boulder and stone content with on one side a wide shallow ditch some 2 metres wide. The bank averages 0.5 metres high and is now 1.0 metre wide. This feature is almost certainly a shallow trench used for cover for men lying down to fire weapons.

English Heritage, 2005, Military survey information (Report - Survey). SDV347107.

Features shown on survey.

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

Features visible on aerial photograph.

Newman, P., 2020, Okehampton Training Area - Updates (Correspondence). SDV363729.

Inspected on 16th December 2019. A series of military earthworks 1 kilometre north of Black Tor.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments: none recorded

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7620 - Okehampton Artillary Range
• EDV8679 - Okehampton Range: Management Survey
• EDV8291 - Okehampton Range: Monument Baseline Condition Survey
• EDV8695 - Survey of Okehampton North Dartmoor Military Range

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