Monument record MBC47764 - WW2 HOME GUARD OBSERVATION POST/EMPLACEMENT, WOMAN’S (HOLMAN’S) BRIDGE

A Second World War Home Guard sandbag emplacement or observation post is visible on historic aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the Aylesbury Vale Aerial Investigation and Mapping project (EBC18604). Located on a field boundary about 108 metres SW of Woman’s (Holman’s ) Bridge adjacent on the W side of the A413 road and centred at SP 81699 15184, a 13 metres long arc of probable sandbags create an emplacement facing NE to the bridge. Visible on aerial photographs taken in 1943, the structures have been removed by 1947. Another emplacement is sited to the E of the road, also facing the bridge. Contemporary accounts of Aylesbury recall that certain roads had concrete blocks across them, manned by L.D.V. (Local Defence Volunteers) and then Home Guards. Another person recalls finding spent and live cartridge cases at the bridge in 1984 which would support this evidence of military activity. On aerial photographs taken in 2023, no evidence of the emplacement is now visible (1-5).