Monument record 4376 - Blacon Point (Second World War) Training Camp

<1> D R Wilson, 1982, Air Photo Interpretation for Archaeologists (Book). SCH4524.

<2> Various, Aerial photographs, CPE/UK 1935 2020-21 17/1/1947 (Aerial Photograph). SCH128.

Aerial photographs of Blacon from the 1940s certainly indicate activity typical of second world war construction including practice trenches in the southwest corner of the site (in the area of the reported assault course and rifle range) and what appears to be a bombardment range on the opposite side of the field that appears to overlie more trenches - possibly a practice range for mortars. There are other earthwork features in the field and the one above that are of unknown origin but appear pennanular.

<3> Blacon History Group, 1990, Blacon Past and Present (Book). SCH6920.

Military activity at Blacon appears to have been first established during World War I, although its role was uncertain and oral accounts suggest the first houses built in the 1930s around Mayfield, Egerton, Highfield, Woodside and Wavertree roads were in fact World War I army huts later converted into homes.

With the advent of WWII in 1939, the golf course at Blacon was commandeered by the Ministry of Defence as the main base for a training camp, and was home to the 26th Machine Gun Training Centre and was one of only two machine gun training centres at the time. The camp was home to eight training companies and two regimental depot companies and they provided training for soldiers in the Infantry Support Units using 4.2 inch mortars and machine guns as well as training drivers moving the heavy machinery, wireless operators and range finders. An assault course and rifle range was located at the corner of Sealand Road and Ferry Lane where Dee Point School now is and a parade ground at Blacon High School. Military housing continued to be built at Blacon Camp until the 1950s at least and the camp remained active until 1960.

<4> Stuart, E., 2005, What did you do in the War Deva? (Book). SCH6921.

<5> Barney S.R., 1946, An informal record of 26 Machine Gun Training Centre (Book). SCH6956.

<6> Earthworks Archaeological Services, 2006, Proposed Development at the Treborth Road Estate, Chester; an archaeological evaluation., R2753 (Client Report). SCH4871.

An archaeological evaluation carried out in the area west of the Treborth Road in 2010 recorded a number of concrete platforms and brick walls of a modern, 20th century, date that probably relate to the officers quarters.

<7> Golder Associates (UK) Ltd, 2014, JH Godwin Primary School Rapid Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment (Client Report). SCH7868.

<8> Golder Associates (UK) Ltd, 2014, Dee Point Primary School Rapid Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment (Client Report). SCH7867.

<9> Golder Associates (UK) Ltd, 2014, Blacon High School Rapid Cultural Heritage Desk-based Assessment (Client Report). SCH7862.