Monument record MBC45140 - A Second World War roadside ammunition dump, Blackmorehill 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 both sides of the Calvert to Botolph Claydon road about 340 metres WSW of Blackmorehill Farm and centred at SP 70593 25022, the ammunition storage area comprises 19 rectangular buildings, each about 5 x 3 metres. On the N side of the road are five buildings, four in 2 pairs and a single. One pair has long sides parallel with the road, one pair have long sides perpendicular to the road and single building. On the S side of the road 12 buildings are laid out in 6 pairs with long sides perpendicular to the road, with each pair separated by about 9 metres and all set out over 90 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 the event of an explosion, whether accidental or the result of a German air raid. The munitions storage hutments are visible on aerial photographs taken in 1947, but all have been demolished by 1949 (1-4).