NHER 42475 (Monument record) - World War Two barbed wire defences and possible military structure, Gorleston-on-Sea

January 2006. Norfolk NMP.
An area of World War Two barbed wire defences and a possible military structure are visible on aerial photographs near the coast at Gorleston-on-Sea (S1)-(S4). The barbed wire obstructions enclose the area in-between the coastal defences along the cliff (see NHER 42357, 42359), the Gorleston Links Battery (NHER 42473) and the anti-aircraft battery and military camp based to the immediate west at the Gorleston Holiday Camp. The site is centred on TG 5283 0232.

The barbed wire obstruction forms a wide V-shape across the agricultural land, running from TG 5287 0261 at Bridge Road, then southwest towards the possible structure, then heading back towards the coast to TG 5300 0207. The possible military structure is visible at TG 5276 0223. This is rectangular, measuring 14m by 7m and with a pitched roof. This gets constructed in-between February 1941 (S1) and May 1944 (S2). It appears to have been removed by October 1945 (S4), which would suggest that it is military in origin, especially given the close proximity to the barbed wire and other military defences nearby. Although some caution must be applied to this interpretation, as it is located within an area often occupied by large rectangular hay bales. The rectangular ‘structure’ is quite similar in colour to a hay bale, although it does seem a little too neat.

The barbed wire gets removed post-war and the site has since been developed into housing and Buxton Avenue, Bately Avenue, Youell Avenue and Arnott Avenue now stand over their former locations.
S. Massey (NMP), 30 January 2006.