Monument record MDO46173 - World War Two Auxiliary Unit Operational Base, The Wilderness, Harmans Cross, Langton Matravers

World War II auxiliary unit operational base recorded within the grounds of house, The Wilderness, south of the A351. The unit was constructed in 1940-41 and by 1949 was considered to be in a dangerous condition.

TDW/1168 (Ministry of Town and Country Planning reference). Cassini grid 44/10 SW 428006. Underground shelter considered for destruction as public danger, 1949. In grounds of house [name or number not stated].In grounds of house, N of A351 road, Harman's Cross. <1-3>

Operational base located in private Woodland, known as The Wilderness, just south of the house of the name on valley road. It is a bunker with trap door and a ladder down, internally resembles as large nissen hut. <4>

Located in the garden of The Wilderness, recently the roof has fallen in. <5>

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 1995, Defence of Britain Project, S0014016 (Digital archive). SWX5.

<2> Council for British Archaeology, 2003, Defence of Britain Project Database, S0014016 (Machine readable data file). SDO128.

<3> Council for British Archaeology, 2006, Defence of Britain Project Archive DEB01, S0014016 (Excavation archive). SDO17227.

<4> Bradford, J, and Saville, R, 2008, Langton Matravers during the Second World War, 43 (Monograph). SDO19758.

<5> Arnold, Lerida, Email correspondence Lerida Arnold, resident at 'The Wilderness' 07-AUG-2012 (Verbal communication). SDO19759.

<6> National Record of the Historic Environment, 1428132 (Digital archive). SDO14739.

Record last edited

Apr 21 2023 4:25PM