Monument record MDO41125 - Possible early 20th century military pratice trenches, Canford Magna, Poole

Banked and ditched linear fetaures at Canford Magna is visible on 1940s aerial photographs. The features are located in and around the edges of a large extractive pit possibly known as Canford Pit. Whilst they may be associated with this their character suggests possible military practice trenches of early 20th century date; possibly World War in origin. They were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP project.

Banked and ditched linear fetaures at Canford Magna is visible on 1940s aerial photographs (1).

The features comprise a series of rectilinear ditches of variable length and with zig-zag or crenallated formations, some with additional protrusions along their length or at one or other end. In addition to these are a series of more irregular ditched linears with banked earthworks on one or more sides, possibly created from cast up material from the ditches.

The features are located in and around the edges of a large extractive pit possibly known as Canford Pit. Whilst they may be associated with this their character suggests possible military practice trenches of early 20th century date; possibly World War in origin. Additional longer linear ditches are probably un-metalled roads or vehicle tracks; it is not clear whether these are part of the extractive poit (MDO41123) or associated with these possible military features, although the latter seems more likely given the juxtaposition of these.

The site is developed as housing on current Google Earth imagery and the features are no longer visible.They were digitally plotted by the Dorset Stour NMP.

<1> Royal Air Force, 12-DEC-46, RAF/CPE/UK/1893 RP 3201-2 (Aerial Photograph). SDO16028.

Record last edited

Jan 6 2020 11:30AM