Monument record MBC45142 - A Second World War roadside ammunition dump, Pear Tree House.

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 SW facing side of the Steeple Claydon to Middle Claydon road about 460 metres SE of Pear Tree House and centred at SP 71295 26126, the ammunition storage area comprises two rectangular buildings, each about 5 x 3 metres, with long sides perpendicular to the road and set out over 36 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 1946, but all have been demolished by 1949 (1-4).