NHER 54398 (Monument record) - World War Two air raid shelters and an emergency water tank

August 2010. Norfolk NMP.
The site of World War Two air raid shelters and an emergency water tank is visible on aerial photographs at the David Rice Hospital, Drayton (S1-S4). The site is centred on TG 1916 1276. A square emergency water tank, or similar structure, is located to the northwest of the main hospital building (S3-S4). This appears to have been constructed sometime between May 1941 and May 1944 (S1, S3). A square structure is constructed within trees to the north of the hospital in-between May 1941 and April 1942 (S1-S2). The purpose of this structure is not certain, although it is possible that it acted as a surface shelter. An additional two structures have been identified as probable surface shelters alongside the northeastern and northwestern wings of the hospital. To the rear of the hospital are a number of earthen covered air raid shelters. A number of dark rectangular marks on the ground surface around the edges of the building ranges to the rear of the hospital may reveal entrances to underground shelters, although this is not certain and these features were not mapped (S4-S5). Some sections of the terraced gardens to the rear show signs of disturbance in 1942-4 (S2-S3), although no actual structures or remains can be identified on later, better quality aerial photographs (S4-S5).
S. Horlock (NMP), 13 August 2010