Building record MCC9256 - Air-raid shelter F6, 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 9966 2377 (11m by 10m)
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 F6 was damaged by contractors during their sub-surface excavations and it was not possible to obtain complete measurements for the northern entrance. Once shelter F6 was located and fully exposed, it was observed that the shelter was roughly aligned north to south. The northern entrance was 50cm above the roof of the chamber and was destroyed completely up to a point just outside of the chamber, where a surviving piece was 2.6m long and 1m wide. No steps survived at this entrance and only fragments of the concrete cap remained. The corridor (70cm wide) at the base of the steps did survive and terminated in a recess that was 87cm deep and contained a centrally-located exhaust vent (10cm in diameter). The southern entrance was 55cm above the roof of the chamber and measured 6.45m long by 1m wide, descending eleven steps into a corridor. This was capped by concrete-covered corrugated iron that sat on a lip in the entrance walls that was 5cm deep on each side. The corridor was 70cm wide and terminated in a recess that was 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 (51) was observed on a facing panel of each entrance.
The central chamber was externally identical to shelters F1-F5 and appeared to be identical internally; however, due to asbestos contamination, CAT archaeologists were unable to enter the structure. Observational data obtained from contractors confirmed the presence of two benches, square slabs on the floor and an oval shape to the cross-section. <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.19-20.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Dec 11 2015 2:15PM

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