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Summary

A possible World War II military building to the west of Home Down Barn, possibly associated with earthworks to the west and an observation post on coast. The structure has now been demolished and the surviving platform used for storage.

Location

Protected Status: none recorded

Other References/Statuses

• Old DCC SMR Ref: SY08SE/76

Monument Type(s) and Dates

• MILITARY BUILDING (World War II - 1939 AD to 1945 AD (Between))

Full description

Royal Air Force, 1946, 106G/UK/1412 (Aerial Photograph). SDV336108.

Single military building visible on Royal Air Force aerial photograph of 1946. Possibly associated with observation post on the coast. Other details: HER 45/33.

Royal Air Force, 1946, RAF/106G/UK/1412, RAF/106G/UK/1412 4107 13-APR-1946 (Aerial Photograph). SDV352504.

The rectangular structure is visible.

Matthews, A. J., 1995, Archaeological Recording of a WWII Observation Post Near Otterton, East Devon, 2 (Report - Survey). SDV345759.

A rectangular building of Air Ministry temporary brick type. Four bricked-up windows per long axis, with a door in one gable end and a vehicle access at the other. Part of the roof is missing.

Hellis, J., 1995, Untitled Source (Personal Comment). SDV345757.

Site visit in 1995. Appears to be a stores building of some sort.

GetMapping, 1999, 069/99, DCC GM/068/99 340-341 11-Jul-1999 (HER Run 47) (Aerial Photograph). SDV355855.

The structure is visible.

Next Perspectives, 2003, Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs, Next Perspectives PGA Imagery SY0883 31-MAR-2003 (Aerial Photograph). SDV351614.

The structure is visible. Large holes are visible in the roof.

Exeter Archaeology, 2003-2004, East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey, Site No. 2237 (Archive - Survey). SDV351568.

Possible observation post visible on 1946 Aerial Photograph.
SMR.

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

The structure has been demolished.

Ordnance Survey, 2010, MasterMap (Cartographic). SDV344030.

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

The structure is visible on aerial photographs taken from 1945 onwards. With the exception of a linear earthwork bank visible circa 200 metres to the south-west which have been attributed a possible, if unconvincing military function, there is little evidence of Second World War military activity in the vicinity of this structure. However, it is possible any such activity took place in the early years of the conflict.
The building is visible as a roofed structure on aerial photographs of 1999 but appears semi-ruinous by 2003. It has been demolished by 2010 and the surviving hard standing used for the storage of agricultural equipment.

Sources / Further Reading

SDV336108	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. 106G/UK/1412. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper).
SDV344030	Cartographic: Ordnance Survey. 2010. MasterMap. Ordnance Survey. Map (Digital). [Mapped feature: #94815 ]
SDV345757	Personal Comment: Hellis, J.. 1995. Not Applicable.
SDV345759	Report - Survey: Matthews, A. J.. 1995. Archaeological Recording of a WWII Observation Post Near Otterton, East Devon. Exeter Museums Archaeological Field Unit Report. 95.15. A4 Stapled + Digital. 2.
SDV346026	Aerial Photograph: GeoInformation Group Ltd. 2010. 1:625 2010 Colour (12.5cm resolution). 2010 Aerial Photographs. Digital.
SDV351146	Interpretation: 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
SDV351568	Archive - Survey: Exeter Archaeology. 2003-2004. East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey. East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archaeological Survey. Digital + Mixed Archive Material. Site No. 2237.
SDV351614	Aerial Photograph: Next Perspectives. 2003. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Pan Government Agreement Aerial Photographs. Digital. Next Perspectives PGA Imagery SY0883 31-MAR-2003.
SDV352504	Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 1946. RAF/106G/UK/1412. Royal Air Force Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). RAF/106G/UK/1412 4107 13-APR-1946.
SDV355855	Aerial Photograph: GetMapping. 1999. 069/99. GetMapping Aerial Photograph. Photograph (Paper). DCC GM/068/99 340-341 11-Jul-1999 (HER Run 47).

Associated Monuments

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)

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