NHER 54556 (Monument record) - Probable type 22 World War Two pillbox and two practice trenches or possible air raid shelters

December 2010. Norfolk NMP.
A probable type 22 World War Two pillbox and at least two practice trenches, or more probably, air raid shelters, are visible on aerial photographs (S1-S3) on land within Melford Common, Thetford. The pillbox is centred on TL 8770 8307 and is similar in appearance to others defending Thetford (NHER 32170, 54526, 54527, 54540, 54541, 54543), and thus has been described as a probable type 22.
The two trenches are visible approximately 190m to the west, centred on TL 8752 8312. They have been suggested as air raid shelters rather than practice trenches (Roger J C Thomas, pers. comm.), although it is not quite clear who they would serve, perhaps the terraced houses to the south, although most of these seem to have large enough gardens to house Anderson shelters. There are also several tracks running across the area, and a further possible structure centred on TL 8746 8316, indicating that the area served a military function.
E. Bales (NMP), 29 Dec 2010.