Monument record KIR 041 - The Maltings, Trimley Road

Boat-shaped battery observation post complex including two pristine Lewis gun emplacements, in perfect condition, and described as unique in the country (S1)(S2).
The existance of the site was not known until 2004. It is of some interest as a rare example of an inland 1940 anti invation period fieldwork battery that has been 'hardened' by extemporised structures. Although mobile filed gun batteries would have been widely used had Britain been invaded during the Second World war, their ephemeral nature means there is little surviving physical evidence of their existence. Unfortunatly, the partial collapse of the gun store/emplacement and the more recent partial demolition of the observation post mean that the surviving remains are too fragmentary to fulfil the criteria for listing (S4).
Battery Observation Post- This was apparently demolished by a bulldozer and the remains have been left in situ. The present condition of the structure is that the concrete base remains intact, together with the east wall and part of the splayed south-east wall. The concrete roof is also intact, lying on top of some of the brickwork of the remaining walls. Large sections of the brick walls are lying on the ground. Internally, part of the shelving remains in situ as does the base of the stove and an extraction vent (S4).
Pocket or Light Anti-Aircraft Posts -These have been completely demolished with scattered cement-filled sandbags and some pieces of corrugated iron as the only evidence of their existence. Tree-trunks from the felled trees are mixed in with the remains which are now overgrown and it is difficult to establish their form or exact position.
Gun Post- This has not been affected by the clearance work and is exactly as depicted in the Lanigan report. As that report states, the walls with the exception of part of the west side are substantially intact but the roof slab has fallen in and now forms in effect a floor, itself now overgrown with weeds and small trees (S4).
Although the battery observation post is partly demolished, it is still possible to read the structure in its relationship with the gun post and the relationship of the site of the defence works as a whole with the surrounding landscape.(2)
2006: wilfully destroyed by potential developer - see copy of letter in parish file (S4).
A trial trench evaluation was carried out at the above site from 15th -17th April 2009 in advance of a proposal to redevelop the site. This followed a visit on 26th March 2009 to record visible Second World War remains, and a programme of building recording for two 19th century buildings. The redevelopment involves the construction of residential properties and associated parking. A number of features of archaeological interest were recorded during the work. Ephemeral evidence for low level prehistoric activity was present at the eastern end of the site. Across much of the site bands of grey were recorded, possibly formed by geological or agricultural processes. The site was then occupied by trees, regular rows of which were recorded, probably forming an orchard, bounded by a ditch in the post-medieval period. Features of uncertain function possibly related to gardens were scattered across the site. A number of foundations for 19th century and Second World War buildings were also recorded during the evaluation. In addition to the trial trenching for below ground remains, a survey of the remains of Second World War structures was undertaken during and in some cases after their demolition. An attempt has been made to incorporate this information with archival and other sources to determine the layout of the military facility (S3).