NHER 42294 (Monument record) - World War Two air raid shelters, West Quay, Gorleston on Sea

January 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A large and dispersed group of World War Two air raid shelters are visible on aerial photographs in the vicinity of Black Wall Reach and Dock Tavern Lane, West Quay Gorleston (S1) to (S3). These include a possible large communal shelter and numerous small private Anderson shelters. Some of the shelters towards the quayside may also serve the military in the nearby defensive positions along the quayside. The site is centred on TG 5276 0445, although this point does not correspond to an archaeological feature on the ground.

A possible communal air raid shelter is centred on TG 5272 0454, although this is not certain due to the site being obscured by tree coverage on many of the aerial photographs and therefore it is hard to be certain of the construction. The shelter is only visible in 1941 (S1) and these aerial photographs are quite poor in quality. The site has the appearance of a mound, up to 30m long and 10m wide in places, a lighter area running towards the mound may be a worn track leading to it or possibly a concrete surface visible.

At TG 5280 0449 is irregular S shaped embankment, which appears to be an air raid shelter (S2). This is located next to a gun emplacement (NHER 42298) and this may be for military use. A similarly constructed air raid shelter is visible at TG 5283 0438, also located near to some military structures (NHER 42297).

In February 1941 a row of four air raid shelters are visible, centred on TG 5279 0455 (S1). These are visible as earth covered mounds, measuring 3.5m by 2.5m, and are probably all Anderson shelters. Other small earth covered shelters are located within the gardens and yards of properties on Black Wall Reach and Gorleston High Street; at TG 5278 0446, TG 5270 0446, TG 5271 0440. At TG 5269 0439 is a mound with a projecting square feature on either end and at TG 5272 0437 are two closely spaced shelters.
S. Massey (NMP), 06 January 2006.