The Twentieth Century MilitarySites of Wales Project

Jonathan BerryAssistant Inspector of Ancient Monuments

Cadw

01443 336 073

jonathan.berry@wales.gsi.gov.uk

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)

Military in Wales: Frontline

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

Military in Wales: Frontline

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

Military in Wales: Frontline

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

Military in Wales: Frontline

Coastal crust defences, Fairbourne, Gwynedd (© RCAHMW)

Military in Wales: Frontline

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

Responses to preservation

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

Ruinous temporary hutting, RAF Pembrey, Carmarthenshire (© Cadw)

Threats

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

Threats

Remains of Common-y-coed heavy anti-aircraft battery, St Bride’s Netherwent, Monmouthshire(© Cadw)

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

Research and recording

Contemporary artwork, Dale,Pembrokeshire (© RCAHMW)

RAF / RNAS Dale,Pembrokeshire(© RCAHMW)

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

jonathan.berry@wales.gsi.gov.uk