First World War subterranean ammunition store, Stow Maries Aerodrome, Cold Norton (EHER 81733)

A partially sunken building, partially protected by an earth bund and constructed of reinforced concrete. The roof does not survive but may have been covered with corrugated iron. It was possibly a subterranean ammunition store, and access may have been via a hatch in the roof and a ladder stair, or a flight of concrete steps on the southern side. Inside, the building is divided into three rooms. Although identified as the ammunition store it would have been difficult to use as such.

1997. RCHME field survey. This is a partially sunken, partially protected by an earth bund, building which stands close to the airfield, but set somewhat apart from the aircraft hangers. It is oriented east-west and measures roughly 7.0 by 4.7 metres on plan. It is of ferro-concrete construction with what appears to be a river gravel aggregate and bars of flat iron, and is covered with cement render inside and out. The internal partitions are probably of brick. The roof does not survive but was segmental in profile and may have been covered with corrugated iron. Access to the interior must have been via a hatch in the roof and a ladder stair, there being no evidence for alternative access. The hatch was probably located above, and towards one end of, the transverse passage which divides the large western compartment from the smaller eastern compartment. The large room is lit by two small glazed iron windows positioned immediately below the former verges. The smaller east compartment was divided in two by an axial partition, each small room being lit by a single window similar to those at the west end. All three rooms were reached directly from the passage. The difficulty of access to the building poses a problem of interpretation. Although identified as the ammunition store it would have been difficult to use as such. The RAF survey also lists a bomb store which has not been otherwise identified. <1> April 2012. Grade II* listed. Materials: Reinforced concrete. Plan: A partially sunken structure, protected by an earth bund, aligned east-west and divided into three rooms. Exterior: Located near to the flying field on the east side of the track, the segmental roof has collapsed. Access may have been by a flight of concrete steps on the southern side, but it has also been postulated that a hatch in the roof and a ladder stair may have been used. Interior: The room partitions remain; the largest room to the west is lit by two small windows. <2> The building is depicted on the 3rd edition OS map. <3>