Monument record MDO45306 - First World War/Second World War slit trench, Launceston Down, Tarrant Launceston

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Summary

A possible military slit trench, which could have been dug in the First or Second World Wars, is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs taken in 1943 but was subsequently levelled by ploughing. It is orientated south-west / north-east and may have been used in conjunction with nearby practice trenches or the surrounding bombing range. A second slit trench (MDO45305) is located circa 125m to the WSW. The trench had been filled in by 1953, when aerial photographs show that the land had been converted to arable cultivation.

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

A possible military slit trench, which could have been dug in the First or Second World Wars, is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs taken in the 1940s but was subsequently levelled by ploughing. The trench is centred at ST 9546 1106, measures 19m long by 7m wide and is flanked to either side by narrow banks. It is orientated south-west / north-east and may have been used in conjunction with nearby practice trenches (eg ST 91 SW 118 / UID: 1480766) or the surrounding bombing range (ST 91 SE 248 / UID: 1481331). A second slit trench is located circa 125m to the WSW (ST 91 SE 257 / UID: 1481411). The trench had been filled in by 1953, when aerial photographs show that the land had been converted to arable cultivation. <1-2>

Sources/Archives (4)

  • <1> Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 13-JAN-1943. NMR RAF/HLA/651 1136-1137.
  • <2> Aerial Photograph: Royal Air Force. 14-AUG-1953. NMR RAF/58/1212 F22 0093-0094.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Bishop, Sharon. 2009. Tarrant Launceston 15 & Environs. Aerial Photograph Survey & Analysis. Object Number: MD002384.
  • <4>XY Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 1481413. [Mapped feature: #634777 ]

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Location

Grid reference ST 9546 1106 (point)
Map sheet ST91SE
Civil Parish Tarrant Launceston; Dorset
Unitary Authority Dorset

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Other Statuses/References

  • Legacy UID: National Monuments Record: ST 91 SE 258
  • Legacy UID: National Record of the Historic Environment: 1481413

Record last edited

Jan 24 2023 10:21AM

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