NHER 42502 (Monument record) - World War Two military training site at the Gorleston Super Holiday Camp, later Elmhurst Court, Gorleston-on-Sea

February 2006. Norfolk NMP.
A World War Two military training site and area of associated defences are visible on aerial photographs (S1)-(S6) at the Gorleston Super Holiday Camp, later Elmhurst Court, Gorleston-on-Sea. This holiday camp was requisitioned by the 4th battalion of the Royal Norfolks during World War Two, who were manning the coastal defences for the Gorleston-on-Sea and Yarmouth area. The core structure of the holiday camp were not altered significantly, although some military structures and buildings are also visible in amongst the existing holiday chalets and main dining hall and kitchens. Areas of weapons pits and barbed wire obstructions are also visible around the perimeter of the site. The whole site is centred on TG 5259 0298, but the main camp buildings are centred on TG 5260 0281. This site is located to the immediate north of a large heavy anti-aircraft battery (NHER 32668). A barrage balloon site is located at the rear of the holiday camp (NHER 42457). The 1930s holiday camps in this area were heavily used by the military for accommodation and training sites and the Potter’s Hopton Beach Camp and the Golden Sands Holiday Camp to the south (NHER 42491 and 42496).

In September 1939 the whole 4th Battalion of the Royal Norfolks was grouped together at Gorleston-on-Sea and remained there until September 1940. The Royal Norfolks were in charge of defending the beach from Cromer to Lowestoft, manning defences, mining beaches and roadblocks (S7). The 4th battalion were assigned the Great Yarmouth and Gorleston area. The Gorleston Super holiday camp was selected for the Battalion HQ officers and accommodation for the HQ, A and B Companies. The holiday chalets were used as accommodation for the lower ranks. The battalion was relieved by the 4th Suffolk Regiment in September 1940 (S7), who may have continued to use the holiday camp as base.

In the February 1941 (S1) aerial photographs numerous weapons pits can be seen around the perimeter of the holiday camp, in particular along the eastern edge of the camp, which overlooks the railway line. These form a line running from TG 5266 0278 to TG 5260 0306. These are likely to have formed a row of temporary and mobile gun positions. A line of slit trenches also runs along the western edge of the chalets from TG 5253 0285 to TG 5250 0273 and from TG 5254 0290 to TG 5256 0295. The belt of trees to the immediate west of these trenches probably obscures further defences. Barbed wire obstructions form an outer defence around the eastern and northern edge of the camp.

At TG 5252 0277 in 1941 is a possible covered or camouflaged structure (S1). This feature could not be distinguished properly on the aerial photographs and therefore was not mapped. Although it is possible that it is an air raid shelter or similar covered structure. It is not visible on later photography and a hedge can be seen to run through this location.

To the east of the main camp buildings, at TG 5266 0285, is a nissen or similarly designed curved-profile hut, 13m by 6.5m. This appears to have a blast wall to the western side. In-between 1941 and 1944 an additional flat-roofed rectangular structure is constructed next to this (S3)-(S4). Three additional rectangular structures were also constructed during this period to the north, along the boundary overlooking the railway line.

Centred on TG 5256 0285 is a group of three rectangular structures that have earthen mounds or revetments built against them. These are located to the immediate west of the main camp buildings. It is not clear whether these are military in origin or existing structures that have been adapted. Many of them survive post-war and continue in use as part of the holiday camp (S6). One of these is flat roofed and is attached to the western end of the main holiday camp building and the roof is partially covered with earth. It is possible that this is a covered surface air raid shelter. The large rectangular structure against the trees at TG 5255 0287 may have a curved-profile and therefore could be a nissen, measuring 11.5m by 5m. This has an earthen covered mound or structure built against it. In-between February 1941 and 1944 a large curved-profile hut, also probably a nissen, gets constructed to the rear of the main camp buildings at TG 5259 0285, 13m by 5m. A flat roofed rectangular structure is located to the immediate east, 4.5m by 4m.

At the northern end of the site, near the barrage balloon site (NHER 42457), are a series of temporary structures or tents, centred on TG 5261 0301 and TG 5252 0312. These range in size from 13m to 26m long. On later aerial photographs from 1945 (S5) these rectangular structures appear to be constructed from a wooden framework with canvas covering. It seems likely that these were equipment stores. Rectangular parched or surfaced areas of ground in this area of the site, such as at TG 5254 0319, indicate that further military structures have already been constructed and in-between February 1941 and May 1944 (S2)-(S3). A group of structures located next to the railway line, centred on TG 5258 0318, were not mapped as it could not definitely be established whether these were military in origin. The structures do not look particularly new in 1941 (S1).
S. Massey (NMP), 17 February 2006.