Information for record number MWA8865:
World War II feature: Bofors emplacement at Rugby.

Summary The remains of a Second World War gun emplacement. All that remains is the circular concrete holdfort for a Bofors gun. It is situated in a small area of ridge and furrow between Johnson Avenue and allotments north of Bilton Road, Rugby.
What Is It?  
Type: Gun Emplacement
Period: Unknown
Where Is It?  
Parish: Rugby
District: Rugby, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 49 74
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

 
Source Number  

1 Circular concrete holdfort sited in a small area of ridge and furrow between Johnson Avenue and allotments north of Bilton Road, Rugby. To the north of this is a square predictor emplacement and semi-sunk shelter. The majority of the site is half buried (WO 166/2857). The Rugby sites were manned by 313 and 314 troop, this particular emplacement was identified as EE site on the total armament list of 1940.
2 This site was one of 8 Bofors sites and 11 Lewis gun sites built in a ring to defend the vulnerable railway junction and important factories.
3 Earlier version of
1 with slightly more detail. Bofors guns were 40mm.
4 In advance of ground work for new housing a number of trial trenches followed by complete excavation of the site revealed the remaining structure of the gun emplacement. The structure was archaeologically recorded.
 
Sources

Source No: 2
Source Type: Correspondence
Title: Letter about the Defence of Britain Project
Author/originator: Armishaw A
Date: July 2000
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Defence of Britain Project Record Form
Title: Defence of Britain Project
Author/originator: Armishaw A
Date: 04/08/2000
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Defence of Britain Project Record Form
Title: Defence of Britain Project
Author/originator: Armishaw, Adrian
Date: 1999
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Excavation Report
Title: Bilton Road, Rugby, Bofors Gun Emplacement
Author/originator: Neil Phillips
Date: 2004
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
technique excavation Archaeologists excavate sites so that they can find information and recover archaeological materials before they are destroyed by erosion, construction or changes in land-use.

Depending on how complicated and widespread the archaeological deposits are, excavation can be done by hand or with heavy machinery. Archaeologists may excavate a site in a number of ways; either by open area excavation, by digging a test pit or a trial trench.
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technique Trial Trench A small regular hole that is usually square or rectangular in shape. Archaeologists dig trial trenches to discover if there are any archaeological remains at a particular location. See also excavation. back
monument SITE * Unclassifiable site with minimal information. Specify site type wherever possible. back
monument RIDGE AND FURROW * A series of long, raised ridges separated by ditches used to prepare the ground for arable cultivation. This was a technique, characteristic of the medieval period. back
monument ALLOTMENT * A share or portion of land, allotted to a person, often used for growing, vegetables, fruit, etc. back
monument SHELTER * A structure which protects an area of ground from the weather. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument DEFENCE * This is the top term for the class. See DEFENCE Class List for narrow terms. back
monument GUN EMPLACEMENT * A fortified site in which a gun, mortar or cannon is positioned. back
monument SQUARE * An open space or area, usually square in plan, in a town or city, enclosed by residential and/or commercial buildings, frequently containing a garden or laid out with trees. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument RAILWAY JUNCTION * A place where two or more railway lines meet. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record