Monument record MBC44769 - A Second World War roadside ammunition dump, Hillesden to Gawcott road.

A Second World War roadside ammunition dump is visible on historic aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the North Buckinghamshire Aerial Investigation and Mapping project (EBC18304). Located on the Hillesden to Gawcott road and centred at SP 67788 30502, the ammunition storage area comprises 4 rectangular buildings, each about 5 x 3 metres laid out over 80 metres. They are positioned on the south-east-facing side of the lane, with 3 having long sides perpendicular to the road and 1 parallel with the road. These portable corrugated iron shelters, or hutments, were usually camouflaged and covered stacks of artillery or small arms ammunition. Roadside storage not only made the ammunition easily accessible but dispersed the risk of a large loss of munitions in one event as a result of a German air raid. The munitions storage hutments are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1947, but all features have been demolished by 1961 (1-4).