MSO8097 - World War Two observation post on Bossington Hill (Monument)

Summary

The remains are associated with the World War Two tank training range. They consist of an earth and stone mound with the remains of a stone wall on the top and evidence of an entrance in the side.

Please read the Exmoor National Park Historic Environment Record .

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status

Full Description

About 50 metres in front (southwest) of the tank gunnery range target track (MSO8096) is a large raised earthwork platform. It has a flat top which slopes slightly to the rear (uphill). A line of stone tumble is visible towards the rear. See MMO1496 and MSO8099 for similar platforms. [1] Concrete structures are visible on the top on 1946 aerial photographs. [2] The remains of an observation post lie on Bossington Hill, centred at SS 9100 4812. The features were surveyed using differential GPS as part of the RCHME Exmoor project. The remains comprise a substantial earth and stone mound, 35 by 20 by 6 metres high. The remains of a stone wall lie on the top of the mound. The remains of the entrance in the form of a metal door frame are just visible on the northern side of the mound. The observation post functioned as part of the World War Two tank training range, and is close to the target railway (MSO8096). [3] The observation post referred to above [3] is visible as an earthwork on aerial photographs. The post is defined by an earthen mound that is centred at SS 9100 4812 and which measures 30 metres by 21 metres. The post was part of the Second World War tank training activities recorded as MMO627. [2,4,5]

Sources/Archives (5)

  • <1> Verbal communication: Various. 1900-. Somerset County Council / South West Heritage Trust staff comments. Chris Webster, Somerset SMR Officer, July 1998.
  • <2> Aerial photograph: July 1946. RAF 106G\UK\1655 4005 to 4013. 4012-4013.
  • <3> Unpublished document: Riley, H.. Field Investigators Comments. RCHME Field Investigation, 1998.
  • <4> Aerial photograph: Various. Various. Vertical Aerial Photograph. NMR OS/79013 160-161 (17 April 1979).
  • <5>XY Archive: Severn Estuary Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment: SS 94 NW. MD000133. [Mapped feature: #45045 ]

External Links (1)

Other Statuses/References

  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MMO878
  • Exmoor National Park HER Number (now deleted): MSO12585
  • Local List Status (Unassessed)
  • National Monuments Record reference: SS 94 NW144
  • Pastscape HOBID (was Monarch UID): 1132289
  • Somerset SMR PRN (Somerset): 35793

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred SS 9101 4813 (47m by 47m)
Map sheet SS94NW
Civil Parish SELWORTHY, WEST SOMERSET, SOMERSET

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Nov 2 2020 10:06PM

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