Monument record MBC44967 - A Second World War roadside ammunition dump, Barton Hill Farm

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 along the north side of the lane between Watergate Farm and Barton Hill Farm and centred at SP 63433 29599, the ammunition storage area comprises 8 rectangular buildings, 2 about 5 x 3 metres and the remainder about 9 x 4 metres, laid out along the lane and set out over 156 metres. 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 or accidental explosion. Visible on aerial photographs taken in 1946, three have been demolished by 1947 and the remainder have been demolished by 1961 (1-5).