Building record MCC9253 - Air-raid shelter F3, Area P1, Colchester Garrison, Colchester

Summary

One of a group of 7 WWII air raid shelters recorded prior to demolition.

Location

Grid reference Centred TL 9965 2377 (11m by 9m)
Map sheet TL92SE
County ESSEX
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

This structure was completely below ground with raised entrances that would have been level with the surface at the time of construction. Subsequent development raised ground-level, totally obscuring any trace of the structure. As a result of this, shelter F3 was damaged by contractors during their sub-surface excavations and it was not possible to obtain complete measurements for the two entrances. Once shelter F3 was located and fully exposed, it was observed that the shelter was roughly aligned north to south. The northern entrance was 55cm above the roof of the chamber and 1m wide, with a surviving length of 5.2m descending at least seven steps into a corridor. The southern entrance was 45cm above the roof of the chamber and 1m wide, with a surviving length of 6.02m. Here the damage was only minor and the entrance descended eleven steps into a corridor. These had both been capped by concrete-covered corrugated iron that sat on a lip in the entrance walls that was 5cm deep at both the sides and chamber end. Both corridors were 70cm wide and terminated in recesses that were 87cm deep and contained a centrally-located exhaust vent (10cm in diameter). The floors in both corridors were of poured concrete with five 60cm by 46cm slabs set into them. A white painted number (50) was on a facing panel of each entrance.
The central chamber was identical to shelters F1-F2 in terms of measurements and fittings. <1>

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Historic Building Recording: Lister, Chris (CAT). 2008. A survey of three groups of air-raid shelters at Areas C2, J1 and P1 of the Garrison Urban Village, Colchester, Essex, April 2004-May 2007. CAT Report 467, pp.18-19.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Dec 11 2015 2:18PM

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