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Summary

A complex of prefabricated and Nissen type huts are visible as structures on aerial photographs taken in the 1940s, with some earthwork and structural remains surviving into the 1950s. They are interpreted as Second World War barracks for British and perhaps later U.S. military personnel. The last two buildings were removed between 1952 and 1957 but some earthwork remains may survive.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SS43NW/13/3

Monument Type(s) and Dates

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

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1942, RAF/140/S747/H56, NMR RAF/140/S747/H56 PO-3022 SS4437/3 06-FEB-1942 (Aerial Photograph). SDV350313.

A complex of Nissen-type huts is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1501, 3129 (Aerial Photograph). SDV337198.

Small hutted camp of Nissen or Quonsett huts recorded on 1946 aerial photograph. Other details: HER 3/25.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1501, NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 3130-3131 13-MAY-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349927.

A dense complex of Nissen-type huts is visible.

Royal Air Force, 1952, RAF/540/949, NMR RAF/540/949 5080 24-NOV-1952 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349761.

All but two of the huts have been removed, although some earthwork banks are visible around the former sites of the huts.

Royal Air Force, 1957, RAF/58/2205 F22, NMR RAF/58/2205 F22 0048-0049 05-JUL-1957 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349748.

Rectangular parch marks are visible on the site of the huts, all of which have been removed although two platforms survive.

Ordnance Survey, 1989, OS/89115, NMR OS/89115 343 04-MAY-1989 (Aerial Photograph). SDV349086.

A car park has been constructed on the northern part of the site.

Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J., 2007, The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report, No. 1677 (Report - Assessment). SDV339712.

Small hutted camp of nissen or quonsett huts recorded on raf 1946 ap.

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

A group of six Nissen type huts, an additional possible hut base and nine prefabricated huts are visible as structures on aerial photographs dating to 1942, just to the east of Saunton Sands Hotel. By 1946 five further Nissen type huts and three more prefabricated buildings are visible on vertical aerial photographs, together with two possible tanks close to the road. The complex is likely to be a Second World War military barracks, presumably overspill from the Saunton Sands Hotel which housed British military relocated from Dover in 1940, but perhaps later used to house U.S. Army personnel associated with the Assault Training Centre. By 1952 all but two of the huts are no longer visible, although slight earthwork banks may have resulted from the levelling of the ground surface prior to construction. Irregular parch marks visible on aerial photographs taken in 1957 were probably formed by compaction of soil on the site of the huts. Two buildings visible at SS4474237735 and SS4476737760 in 1952 were removed before 1957, although two rectangular platforms remained at the latter location; a car park constructed by 1989 now covers the area of these platforms. It is possible that slight earthworks may survive south of the car park and a site visit would help to establish whether any remains are visible. This location could be considered as a venue for Second World War re-enactments.

2012, Explore Braunton, http://www.explorebraunton.org/saunton-world-war-ii.aspx Accessed 12/10/2012 (Website). SDV350316.

Saunton Sands Hotel was requisitioned and given over to the Duke of York’s Military School which was relocated from Dover in 1940. The hotel was painted green in an attempt at camouflage to prevent hostile aircraft using it as a navigation aid.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV337198	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1501. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). 3129.
SDV339712	Report - Assessment: Collings, A. G. + Manning, P. T. + Valentin, J.. 2007. The North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Phase 1. Archaeological Survey. Summary Report. Exeter Archaeology Report. 06.22 (rev.1). A4 Stapled + Digital. No. 1677.
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
SDV349086	Aerial Photograph: Ordnance Survey. 1989. OS/89115. Ordnance Survey Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR OS/89115 343 04-MAY-1989.
SDV349748	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1957. RAF/58/2205 F22. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/58/2205 F22 0048-0049 05-JUL-1957.
SDV349761	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1952. RAF/540/949. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/540/949 5080 24-NOV-1952.
SDV349927	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1501. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). NMR RAF/106G/UK/1501 3130-3131 13-MAY-1946. [Mapped feature: #95767 ]
SDV350313	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1942. RAF/140/S747/H56. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. NMR RAF/140/S747/H56 PO-3022 SS4437/3 06-FEB-1942.
SDV350316	Website: 2012. Explore Braunton. http://www.explorebraunton.org/home.aspx. Website. http://www.explorebraunton.org/saunton-world-war-ii.aspx Accessed 12/10/2012.

Associated Monuments

Associated Finds: none recorded

Associated Events

• EDV6132 - North Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty NMP Project (Ref: ACD383/2/1)

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