HER Record
HER ID: 64709, Military Practice Trenches
HER Summary: Site of military practice trenches (Practice battlefield) and umpire station visible on aerial photographs.
HER Category: Monument
HER Web Link: No link available
Investigation Activities
Type: Analytical Earthwork Survey
Description: Survey carried out by Historic England.
Date Range: 2023 - 2023
Type: Scheduling
Description: PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS The monument includes the earthworks and buried remains of a prehistoric round barrow, the earthworks and buried remains of a First World War practice trench network, and the earthworks, buried and standing remains of a Second World War heavy anti-aircraft gun battery, all situated on relatively level heathland and woodland on Browndown Ranges (North). The First World War practice trenches comprise a complex network of trenches that extend across the site. The eastern part of the site includes two opposing sets of crenellated frontline or ‘fire’ trenches, each with associated support and reserve trenches linked by perpendicular communication trenches. These opposing frontlines are separated by an area of ‘no-man’s-land’. Altogether, this simulated battlefield extends across approximately 3.5 hectares in extent. The western end of the northern crenellated ‘fire’ trench or frontline has been recorded as approximately 2.5m wide and 1m deep. It consists of a series of 9m wide forward-facing fire bays, separated by 2.5m wide traverses. Traces of parapet and parados banks, up to 0.35m in height, survive on the forward and rear edges of the trench respectively. No internal structural elements (e.g. fire-steps) have been observed. Behind this northern ‘frontline’ the support trenches are up to 2m wide and at least 0.7m deep with a 0.25m high parados. The fire and support trenches are connected by irregular communication trenches that include examples up to 4m wide and 0.8m deep. Further north are reserve trenches, including examples approximately 0.3m deep and 2m wide. Some of the area covered by ‘no-man’s-land’ has been disturbed by subsequent phases of trench digging and two grenade ranges from the Second World War onwards (but possibly with earlier origins - see History); these include numerous craters created by the impact of the exploding grenades. The southern frontline or ‘fire’ trench, as well as its associated communication, support, and reserve trenches, are well preserved under woodland. A group of four semi-circular platforms located well behind the northern frontline and its associated network are considered to be First World War mortar/light artillery positions. Each one comprises a semi-circular level platform fronted by a crescent of ditch, 0.3m deep and 1m wide, with an external bank 0.25m high by 2.5m wide. Adjacent to the opposing frontlines or simulated battlefield are areas of more irregular First World War trench complexes. These include interconnected crenellated, wavy, and straight trenches with examples recorded up to 40m long, 4.5m wide and 1.25m deep and including surviving parapet and parados banks. Some of the trench network has been infilled and survives as buried remains. Groups of sub-circular pits that are up to 2.5m in diameter and 0.45m deep with associated mounds up to 0.25m high, are considered to be ‘foxholes’ designed to conceal troops on track edges for instance. Aerial photographs indicate these ‘foxholes’ pre-date 1942. A range of other pits and short shallow trenches that are up to 4m by 2m in extent by 0.6m deep, often with surrounding banks, or spoil heaps to one side, are likely to largely relate to post-Second World War activity. For instance, in at least two instances they are dug into probable First World War features, whilst a further example contains a length of substantial concrete pipe used as a crawl way/tunnel.
Date Range: 2024 - 2024
Type: Air Photo Survey
Description: A survey of aerial photographs was carried out by Wessex Archaeology as part of the South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey.
Date Range: 2009 - 2012
Type: Analytical Earthwork Survey
Description: Survey carried out by Historic England.
Date Range: 2023 - 2023
Type: Scheduling
Description: PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS The monument includes the earthworks and buried remains of a prehistoric round barrow, the earthworks and buried remains of a First World War practice trench network, and the earthworks, buried and standing remains of a Second World War heavy anti-aircraft gun battery, all situated on relatively level heathland and woodland on Browndown Ranges (North). The First World War practice trenches comprise a complex network of trenches that extend across the site. The eastern part of the site includes two opposing sets of crenellated frontline or ‘fire’ trenches, each with associated support and reserve trenches linked by perpendicular communication trenches. These opposing frontlines are separated by an area of ‘no-man’s-land’. Altogether, this simulated battlefield extends across approximately 3.5 hectares in extent. The western end of the northern crenellated ‘fire’ trench or frontline has been recorded as approximately 2.5m wide and 1m deep. It consists of a series of 9m wide forward-facing fire bays, separated by 2.5m wide traverses. Traces of parapet and parados banks, up to 0.35m in height, survive on the forward and rear edges of the trench respectively. No internal structural elements (e.g. fire-steps) have been observed. Behind this northern ‘frontline’ the support trenches are up to 2m wide and at least 0.7m deep with a 0.25m high parados. The fire and support trenches are connected by irregular communication trenches that include examples up to 4m wide and 0.8m deep. Further north are reserve trenches, including examples approximately 0.3m deep and 2m wide. Some of the area covered by ‘no-man’s-land’ has been disturbed by subsequent phases of trench digging and two grenade ranges from the Second World War onwards (but possibly with earlier origins - see History); these include numerous craters created by the impact of the exploding grenades. The southern frontline or ‘fire’ trench, as well as its associated communication, support, and reserve trenches, are well preserved under woodland. A group of four semi-circular platforms located well behind the northern frontline and its associated network are considered to be First World War mortar/light artillery positions. Each one comprises a semi-circular level platform fronted by a crescent of ditch, 0.3m deep and 1m wide, with an external bank 0.25m high by 2.5m wide. Adjacent to the opposing frontlines or simulated battlefield are areas of more irregular First World War trench complexes. These include interconnected crenellated, wavy, and straight trenches with examples recorded up to 40m long, 4.5m wide and 1.25m deep and including surviving parapet and parados banks. Some of the trench network has been infilled and survives as buried remains. Groups of sub-circular pits that are up to 2.5m in diameter and 0.45m deep with associated mounds up to 0.25m high, are considered to be ‘foxholes’ designed to conceal troops on track edges for instance. Aerial photographs indicate these ‘foxholes’ pre-date 1942. A range of other pits and short shallow trenches that are up to 4m by 2m in extent by 0.6m deep, often with surrounding banks, or spoil heaps to one side, are likely to largely relate to post-Second World War activity. For instance, in at least two instances they are dug into probable First World War features, whilst a further example contains a length of substantial concrete pipe used as a crawl way/tunnel.
Date Range: 2024 - 2024
Type: Air Photo Survey
Description: A survey of aerial photographs was carried out by Wessex Archaeology as part of the South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey.
Date Range: 2009 - 2012
Historic Events
Type: Created
Classification: Bomb Crater
Form: No information available
Description: A series of bomb craters thought to be the result of target practice, were also visible on aerial photographs taken in the 1940s (interpretation by South East RCZAS)
Date Range: 1939 - 1945
Type: Pictorial
Classification: Practice Trench
Form: No information available
Description: An aerial photograph dated 5th April1951, now in the English Heritage RAF Collection at Swindon ( Reference: RAF/540/453 fr.4185 05-APR-1951) revealed a complex pattern of lines at its top corner, which on closer examination proved to be practice trenches archetypal of the First World War. Two main systems of trenches are evident to the north and south of this area
Date Range: 1951 - 1951
Type: Built
Classification: Command Post
Form: No information available
Description: A central command post (probable umpire station) was also visible on aerial photographs taken in the 1940s.
Date Range: 1939 - 1945
Type: Created
Classification: Trench
Form: No information available
Description: Area of military practice trenches visible on aerial photographs. The trenches in these fields include both front-line and communication trenches – the front-line practice trenches are predominantly crenellated. (interpretation by South East RCZAS).
Date Range: 1914 - 1945
Type: Created
Classification: Bomb Crater
Form: No information available
Description: A series of bomb craters thought to be the result of target practice, were also visible on aerial photographs taken in the 1940s (interpretation by South East RCZAS)
Date Range: 1939 - 1945
Type: Pictorial
Classification: Practice Trench
Form: No information available
Description: An aerial photograph dated 5th April1951, now in the English Heritage RAF Collection at Swindon ( Reference: RAF/540/453 fr.4185 05-APR-1951) revealed a complex pattern of lines at its top corner, which on closer examination proved to be practice trenches archetypal of the First World War. Two main systems of trenches are evident to the north and south of this area
Date Range: 1951 - 1951
Type: Built
Classification: Command Post
Form: No information available
Description: A central command post (probable umpire station) was also visible on aerial photographs taken in the 1940s.
Date Range: 1939 - 1945
Type: Created
Classification: Trench
Form: No information available
Description: Area of military practice trenches visible on aerial photographs. The trenches in these fields include both front-line and communication trenches – the front-line practice trenches are predominantly crenellated. (interpretation by South East RCZAS).
Date Range: 1914 - 1945
