the twentieth century military sites of wales project jonathan berry assistant inspector of ancient...

The Twentieth Century MilitarySites of Wales Project

Jonathan BerryAssistant Inspector of Ancient Monuments

Cadw

01443 336 073

[email protected]

Introduction

• Briefly explain the character of C20 military activity in Wales – dispel a few myths!

• Describe the key developments in the study of this subject in Wales

• Provide an overview of Cadw’s activities

1: The Military in Wales

A soldier from 7th Battalion, The Warwickshire Regiment (TA) asleep in a camp in South Wales. (© Getty Archive)

The Military in Wales: training

WW2 tank range impact area, Castlemartin, Pembrokeshire(© RCAHMW)

WW1 practice trenches at Bodelwyddan Park, Denbighshire (© RCAHMW)

The Military in Wales: matériel

Ruby Loftus Screwing a Breech Ring, 1943, Dame Laura Knight (© Imperial War Museum)

Asphalt runway and E1 Paste Mixing and Sheeting House, Royal Naval Propellant Factory, Caerwent, Monmouthshire (© Cadw)

The Military in Wales: R&D

Nant-y-Gro dam, Powys(© Cadw)

Ministry of Supply Valley Site, Mold Flintshire (© RCAHMW)

The Military in Wales: R&D

Cold War Sea Slug test-firing, Aberporth, Ceredigion(© RJC Thomas)

WW2 ZAA emplacement (© Imperial War Museum)

Military in Wales: Frontline

Blitz damage February 1941, College Street, Swansea (© WGAS)


Heavy anti-aircraft gun emplacement, Mumbles Hill, Swansea (© Cadw)


3.7-inch Heavy anti-aircraft gun memorial, Swansea (© Cadw)


Former Royal Naval Dockyard / RAF flying boat base, Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire (© RCAHMW)


Coastal crust defences, Fairbourne, Gwynedd (© RCAHMW)


WW2 defensive loopholed wall, former RAF Bodorgan, Anglesey (© Cadw)

2: Research

Research• Amateur interest from

1972

• Increasing professional archaeological interest from late 1980s

• Cadw and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority study, 1994

Research• Defence of Britain

project

• Neil Redfern’s 1998 documentary-based study

• Equivalent of Dobinson’s reports

• Narrower

• Shallower

Research• Established

Twentieth Century Military Sites Working Group

• Designation actions

• Conservation work

• Outreach activities

3: Cadw’s activities

Responses to preservation

OutreachWritten to:

• Raise awareness and inform

• Support designation work

Aimed at:

• Owners & occupiers

• Landowners

• General public

Outreach• Introduces the range

of military sites in Wales

• Describes the factors affecting their survival

• Explains simple conservation actions

• Statement of policy and best practice

Our military heritage is important

• Defence is a re-occurring theme in Welsh history = continuity

• Dramatic effect of warfare on landscape– Changing defensive strategies– Impact of new technologies

• Some relate to crucial historic episodes• All tell story of profound changes in

warfare & impact on Welsh communities

Cultural value

Remains possess key cultural significance:– Social history, including women’s history

• Women’s Land Army / Women’s Timber Corps• Royal Ordnance Factories

– Impact on art and literature:• War artists• Welsh war poets

– Remembrance and commemoration– Protest / archaeology of opposition– Educational potential

Threats

• Many defence works were cleared during and after the Second World War

• Many structures were only intended as temporary emergency works designed to last the duration

• Regrettably, first hand accounts are fading as memory becomes history

• There is a highly fragmentary rate of site survival, that is under threat from...

Threats

• Climate change & our responses to it

• Forestry / agricultural regimes

• Neglect & vandalism - graffiti, fly-tipping

• Lack of maintenance

• Structural problems - spalling, collapse

• Insensitive development and tourism

• Lack of understanding / ignorance

• Beautifying eyesores

• Treasure hunting / uncontrolled recovery

Threats

Former Cold War LOPGAP (Liquid Oxygen / Petrol Guided Anti-aircraft Projectile) camp, Borth, Ceredigion (© RCAHMW)

Research and recording

Increasingly common from 1990s onwards:

• Complex sites - archives, fieldwork and aerial photographs

• Defence of Britain project

• Data on RCAHMW’s NMRW and the Welsh Archaeological Trusts’ HERs

• Twentieth Century Military Sites Working Group - ongoing

Protection

A number of ways to protect these sites:

• Cadw’s review of defence heritage and statutory protection for the best examples

• Advice through planning guidance

• Local authority Conservation Areas

• WAG’s agri-environmental schemes

• Inform owners / occupiers of historic significance and educational potential

Protection

Variant design pillbox, Nant Francon,Gwynedd (© Cadw)

WW1 firing range targets, near Dolgellau, Gwynedd(© RCAHMW)

Conservation

Groups have started to conserve these important remains for enjoyment, education and community involvement:

• Lavernock Point Battery, Glamorgan

• Carew Cheriton Control Tower, Pembs

• Mumbles Hill HAA Battery, Swansea

• Holyhead Maritime Museum, Anglesey

• Rhydymwyn Visitor Centre, Flint

Conservation

Air Cadets clearing undergrowth from a Bofors 40mm light anti-aircraft gun position, Lavernock Point, Vale of Glamorgan (© Cadw)

Conservation• 6 conservation

principles

• Principles will inform Cadw’s approach to management of historic environment

• Policies & Guidance to guide Cadw in applying Principles

• 30th October 2009

Summary

• Our understanding of these important sites has grown enormously and will continue to do so

• Wales has a great variety of sites

• Wales was not a backwater – much is of national or international importance

• These sites are vulnerable and at risk

• The best examples will receive statutory protection, but further research is needed

The Twentieth Century MilitarySites of Wales Project

Jonathan BerryAssistant Inspector of Ancient

Monuments

Cadw

01443 336 073

[email protected]

the twentieth century military sites of wales project jonathan berry assistant inspector of ancient...

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