Ashdown WW2 Camp

Specification
Stanton air-raid shelters were manufactured by the Stanton Ironworks Co Ltd in Derbyshire (better known for sewage pipes & manhole covers). They could be built in any length but usually consisted of 18 sections of pre-cast concrete arched-shaped sides, bolted together to form a standard Air Ministry shelter for 50 men. The entrance could be brick-lined and with concrete steps (if required) with an emergency escape hatch at the rear. They were often above ground or semi-sunk, but for added protection and concealment purposes, further blast walls were added and all covered with soil and turf. Built by several different companies such as Geo, Wimpey, Mowlem and Tarmac.

Its not known how many were built or survived, but many were located near airfields most of which have reverted back to private farmland and many shelters demolished, so the South Midlands Area of the MVT were pleased to save another from demolition.

Location
Just a few miles from here was RAF Honeybourne a Class A Bomber Base just south of the town of Honeybourne and adjacent to the village of Weston Subedge. The base was operational from 1941 to 1946 and was home to the No. 24 Operations Training Unit, flying Whitleys and Wellington Bombers.

Several Stantons still survive there today but others have been demolished. According to a local villager this one was built in 1940 next to the RAF washrooms. Rescued by Bob James in May 2008 from a farm in Weston Subedge bordering the airfield, it took a team of five people a whole day to dismantle, with the removal of several tons of soil and parts of the original blast walls, and the shelter itself weighs in at around 20 tons and couldn’t have been done without Bob’s JCB and jack hammer.

For an aerial view of where it was please click on the link below, and if you look to the right of those washrooms you can see the hatch & mound.

 Please click here for aerial map

Then if you zoom out and go North West for about a 1/2 a mile you will see where the airfield was.

To complete the visitor experience sound and lighting effects of an air-raid have been added so if you would like to arrange a group visit then please contact.
 

Found buried under tons of earth                    Still dry after 68 years, except for cow muck   Anthony starts to unbolt

Note blast walls either side as Harry loosens seal  Each 1/2 ton rib lifted by JCB                 Scraping out more muck

Anthony cuts a few stubborn bolts                   Awkward to lift last pieces                            Only end wall to take down 

 
Ready for collection

Stanton re-build

   Numbered & delivered                                    Tricky starting off                                           Diggers push to help line them up

Neil inside bolts sections together                     Hatch sections re-located to middle               Taking shape, just over half-way

 
Just two more pieces to go                               Escape hatch fitted                                       Completed

 
Start to bury again until track came off digger   Baskets added to prevent movement            Entrance with new door