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Summary

The former firing positions of a now abandoned rifle range lie between the currently used 'A' and 'B' ranges at Willsworthy Training Area. The positions are marked by flat-topped turf banks 3.5m to 4.0m wide and 0.7m high at intervals of 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, and 500 yards from the former site of the target butts. The face of the 50 yard position is partially revetted.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• National Monuments Record: SX58SW168
• National Record of the Historic Environment: 1159571
• Old DCC SMR Ref: SX58SW/141/4

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• BUTTS (Early 20th Century to Late 20th Century - 1901 AD (Between) to 1990 AD (Between))
• RIFLE RANGE (Early 20th Century to Late 20th Century - 1901 AD (Between) to 1990 AD (Between))

Full description

Ordnance Survey, 1963-1996, 1963-1996 National Grid OS Metric, sx58sw (Cartographic). SDV350058.

'Butts' and 'Targets' marked on the later 20th century (1965) historic map.

Probert, S. + Fletcher, M. + Newman, P., 1998, Willsworthy Training Area, Peter Tavy, Devon: An Archaeological survey by the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (Report - Survey). SDV350638.

(01/08/1998) Centred SX 52848327. Seven flat-topped banks 3.5m to 4.0m wide, 46m long and up to 0.7m high mark the firing positions of a now abandoned rifle range at the Willsworthy Training Area. The earthworks lie in an area of long grass and dwarf shrubs and are flanked by the still used 'A' and 'B' ranges. The firing was directed west to east and the three eastern positions, those nearest the target, are at intervals of 50 yards while the remainder are at 100 yard intervals.
The target butt has largely been destroyed by recent earthmoving activity.

Probert, S., 2001, Willsworthy Training Area, Peter Tavy, Devon. Integrated Land Management Plan Implementation: Archaeological Condition Baseline Survey Appendices 2-5 (Report - Survey). SDV357727.

(05/01/2001) These features remain as described though the winter die back of vegetation has uncovered several mortared revetments in the face of the easternmost position.

National Mapping Programme, post-1985, Dartmoor NMP Transcription data (Cartographic). SDV364293.

Sources / Further Reading

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV7368 - Survey of the Willsworthy Training Area, Peter Tavy (1998)
• EDV6663 - Survey of the Willsworthy Training Area
• EDV6664 - Survey of the Willsworthy Training Area
• EDV6665 - Survey of the Willsworthy Training Area
• EDV8141 - Condition survey of the Willsworthy Training Area

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