World War I practice trenches (Cartington)
Several networks of WW1 practice trenches evident as zig-zag ditches and banks found on moor above Rothbury. (1)
World War I practice trenches comprise a circular formation in a knoll east of the carriage drive with two trenches leading downhill (westwards). There are other features east of the knoll with a long line trench just below a ridge, running eastwards to the wood. (2)
The area of moorland to the north of Rothbury served as a World War I practice area with a series of practice trenches. Enough remains of these to show the zig-zag layout of the trenches. (3)
Coquetdale Community Archaeology undertook an aerial photographic survey of the World War I practice trenches on Blaeberry Hill, Rothbury in advance a programme of localised excavation. The survey recorded four groups of trenching across the survey area including HER 2872 and other localised areas of trenching. Two areas were subject to excavation comprising Area 1 at the intersection of a dug-out and communications trench and Area 2 which as a reserve trench. The investigation and associated research established that the trenches were probably constructed and re-used in trench construction training for the Tynedale 1st Pioneers Battalion in 1915. (4)
NU 049 034 (area centred): A system of well preserved slit trenches of World War II date are visible as earthworks on air photographs taken in 2005. (5a)
Extensive First World War practice trenches surviving as earthworks, centred at NU 0471 0331. The trenches comprise isolated and nucleated groups of 'V' and box trenches representing fire and support trenches with communication trenches between. The shallow parapets are also visible. Abutting these are a number of dugouts and saps. The practice trenches were probably originally constructed by the 18th (Service) Battalion (1st Tyneside Pioneers) Northumberland Fusiliers in the winter of 1915-1916.
The Northumberland HER notes that they were surveyed and part excavated in 2007 and 2008 by the Coquetdale Community Archaeology Group. The excavations revealed the trenches to have been constructed in a thorough manner, with corrugated iron revetting, drains and fire-steps, and a number of phases were identified suggesting the trenches were reused on a number of occasions, perhaps by subsequent troops later in the war. Elements may have also been reused during the Second World War.
A small late 19th century firing range is located 0.5km to the south, at NU 0495 0271. The range target is marked on the 1897 and 1922 Ordnance Survey maps suggesting that it remained in use during the war.
The complex was mapped from 2007 aerial reconnaissance photography for a special project. (5b-e)
These trenches were included in the Review of FWW Fieldworks Project (5f)
General association with HER 23930. (5)
World War I practice trenches comprise a circular formation in a knoll east of the carriage drive with two trenches leading downhill (westwards). There are other features east of the knoll with a long line trench just below a ridge, running eastwards to the wood. (2)
The area of moorland to the north of Rothbury served as a World War I practice area with a series of practice trenches. Enough remains of these to show the zig-zag layout of the trenches. (3)
Coquetdale Community Archaeology undertook an aerial photographic survey of the World War I practice trenches on Blaeberry Hill, Rothbury in advance a programme of localised excavation. The survey recorded four groups of trenching across the survey area including HER 2872 and other localised areas of trenching. Two areas were subject to excavation comprising Area 1 at the intersection of a dug-out and communications trench and Area 2 which as a reserve trench. The investigation and associated research established that the trenches were probably constructed and re-used in trench construction training for the Tynedale 1st Pioneers Battalion in 1915. (4)
NU 049 034 (area centred): A system of well preserved slit trenches of World War II date are visible as earthworks on air photographs taken in 2005. (5a)
Extensive First World War practice trenches surviving as earthworks, centred at NU 0471 0331. The trenches comprise isolated and nucleated groups of 'V' and box trenches representing fire and support trenches with communication trenches between. The shallow parapets are also visible. Abutting these are a number of dugouts and saps. The practice trenches were probably originally constructed by the 18th (Service) Battalion (1st Tyneside Pioneers) Northumberland Fusiliers in the winter of 1915-1916.
The Northumberland HER notes that they were surveyed and part excavated in 2007 and 2008 by the Coquetdale Community Archaeology Group. The excavations revealed the trenches to have been constructed in a thorough manner, with corrugated iron revetting, drains and fire-steps, and a number of phases were identified suggesting the trenches were reused on a number of occasions, perhaps by subsequent troops later in the war. Elements may have also been reused during the Second World War.
A small late 19th century firing range is located 0.5km to the south, at NU 0495 0271. The range target is marked on the 1897 and 1922 Ordnance Survey maps suggesting that it remained in use during the war.
The complex was mapped from 2007 aerial reconnaissance photography for a special project. (5b-e)
These trenches were included in the Review of FWW Fieldworks Project (5f)
General association with HER 23930. (5)
N2872
AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH INTERPRETATION, Aerial Photographic Survey of World War I practice trenches on Blaeberry Hill, Rothbury 2008
TRIAL TRENCH, Two trial excavations of World War I practice trenches on Blaeberry Hill, Rothbury 2008
AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE, EH Aerial Reconnaissance (North): 2005-6
TRIAL TRENCH, Two trial excavations of World War I practice trenches on Blaeberry Hill, Rothbury 2008
AERIAL RECONNAISSANCE, EH Aerial Reconnaissance (North): 2005-6
Disclaimer -
Please note that this information has been compiled from a number of different sources. Durham County Council and Northumberland County Council can accept no responsibility for any inaccuracy contained therein. If you wish to use/copy any of the images, please ensure that you read the Copyright information provided.