Stallingborough Artillery Bunkers ~ WW2 Gun Emplacements
Sunday morning is supposedly a day of rest - but not so for your host !
Acting on a tip-off from Our Man in the Field (Chris Keyworth) I decided I should look for the Heavy Gun Installation mentioned in one of his comments !
First question: Where are the concrete defence bunkers near Stallingborough and Keelby ?
That’ll be easy you’d think - well think again ! I did, of course 
, succeed and it really was worthwhile
I looked all over the internet for directions on how to get to the place all to no avail - all I could find were people posting the very same question on forums and boards ! It’s not mentioned on any maps I have and there is a virtual blackout of information on the internet !
Not to be beaten and armed only with Motorhead bag, camera, Ordnance Survey map and CK’s mention of it being between Stallingborough and Keelby - I sallied forth.
I could find nothing ! I asked 3 people around the area none of whom knew anything about it - finally I asked a man with a dog - he turned out to be a metal detectorist and knew the exact spot !
“It’s completely hidden in a small wood, the Ministry of Defence planted a load of trees all around it years ago to obscure it” said the Roman Coin Seeker
[Later Edit] When you’ve finished the article please do check the comments as some contain a lot more information. Particularly those of Len Copsey who was there and has furnished us with a truly fascinating insight - don’t miss those comments - thank you
Battery Look Out Post
I should like to provide more information about the site and what went on there etc but I’m afraid at the time of writing I could find little that was surely factual.
World War II Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery
The above shows the steps which lead up to the bunker in which the ant-aircraft gun was mounted, with the picture below showing the inside and the actual mounting ring onto which the gun was bolted
The View Inside One of the Gun Placements
Underground Concrete World War 2 Bunker
The above shows the entrance into one of the underground chambers, pretty waterlogged so, for once, commonsense won over valour and a shot from outside is the result
Heavy Artillery Installation
This was a final view of the other side of the site, all still hidden from the road by the woods and a bit tricky under foot as there is a lot of loose rubble so beware.
How to Get There ~ Directions
This could well be what you came here for so here goes.
Take the B1210 road between Immingham and Stallingborough, on the outskirts of Little London there’s a turn to Keelby.
As you turn in there are a few houses on the left then a short way from them is a small turn in on the left, you can see the wood from there.
Please Note: There are horses and stables there and presumably the land is private but slight further down is a public footpath next to the field that goes straight to the wooded area. I’m not sure as to the rights of access to the bunkers, isaw no signs indicating you cannot go in but . . .
Fortified Gun Emplacements
It was all pretty much like a Boy’s Own day out and thoroughly worthwhile. As with so many of these trips the place evokes an eerie feeling of times gone by and lives unknown.
[later edit] A period aerial photograph - thank to Chris Keyworth for sending it in
Aerial photograph of the area taken some time ago
Ack-Ackingly Yours
Rod
Also see Historic Stallingborough Church
chris keyworth said,
August 3, 2009 @ 8:52 pm
Hi Rod Pleased you liked it…….
It is the site of RAF and RA Stallingborough, Greenlands Farm, This site held the second Largest guns in the UK next to Dover, and was also part of the largest ground based training camp for the Army in our area during the second world war, the is a Media Blackout on this site i have tryed for years to find out more about this site and to no avail perhaps one of your readers knows some more or better still served there…
This battery was responsible for destroying many enermy aircraft over immingham and grimsby for more info visit the immingham museum open daily
well done Rod….
regards
chris
Rod said,
August 4, 2009 @ 8:16 am
Hi Chris,
I must say I was surprised at the lack of information I could garner - hopefully, as you say, somebody will see this and chime in with some info
Thanks again for the tip-off
All the best
Rod
Annie Flinn said,
August 4, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
Rod,
I did several searches and had the best luck putting in Stallingborough pillbox. Try this link:
pastscape.english-heritage.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1429224…
chris keyworth said,
August 4, 2009 @ 7:01 pm
Hi Annie
sorry this is a different battery on the humber wall the one Rod looked into is inland and much bigger not sure if the Defence of Britain Project are even aware of this site……
Stallingborough Battery located at TA 224 147. It was built as part of the Humber estuary’s coastal defence system. The battery opened in 1915 and by February 1916 was equipped with two 6-inch breech-loading Mk. VII guns. The guns were removed in 1919 and the site abandoned in 1926. The site was reused during the Second World War and in 1940 was fitted with a pair of 4.7-inch quick-firing guns and two searchlights for close defence. It was disused sometime between 1943 and 1945. (2-3)
regards
chris
Rod said,
August 4, 2009 @ 7:03 pm
Hi Annie,
I saw that when I first looked for directions and thought bingo !
But when I checked out the map coordinates it gives a location on the coast by Immingham - I did hear there was another near Killingholme which is the same area and I intend to check that one out asap.
Thanks for the help Annie and it does throw up the interesting question, is the battery above originally World War 1 in origin as the one listed in your link is ?
Best
Rod
Rod said,
August 4, 2009 @ 7:05 pm
oops cross posted - typing at the same time it seems
chris keyworth said,
August 4, 2009 @ 7:21 pm
there is a sea plane base at killingholme dated to the first world war see immingham museum for that one as it is nearly all built on now as it is on killingholme haven where the new docks are now. the I M has a god collection relating to this site….
chris keyworth said,
August 4, 2009 @ 8:29 pm
Found This…
RNAS Greenlands top stallingborough WW I
Opened: Apr 1918
Closed: 1919
[edited by sitte owner]
505 Flt, 251 Sqn :: Apr 1918 - 1919
Greenland Top, near Keelby, opened in the closing phase of the Great War. It had a very short existence and was home to 505 Flt of 251 Sqn until its disbandment in 1919.
Certain formations, including the RNAS units (later RAF) based at Killingholme, were given to refering to Greenland Top as Stallingborough.
best i could find is refrence to post war defences which would explain the lack of info the 100 year rule…..
Rod said,
August 5, 2009 @ 8:19 am
Hi Chris,
that’s the site I mentioned which is the only one that keeps popping up.
I’ve had to edit the comment as we can’t copy text exactly from another website as it can cause this article to get removed from Google.
It is strange that there is no mention of this particular site - hopefully somebody was was actually there may see this
Cheers
Rod
Annie Flinn said,
August 5, 2009 @ 5:23 pm
I find this all very fascinating. While noodling around doing searches, I came upon an advert by a fellow who leads tours of different war implacements. It would be tempting to join one of his tours. My German friend and I visited Verdun (as I mentioned on a different posting), and the Maiginot Line, and I loved every minute of our tour. I guess I am just old enough, and saw enough wartime B-movies with John Wayne, et al that these sites intrigue me no end. Rather like the character in “Twleve O’Clock HIgh” who returns to the airfield in England where he was stationed, I experience a wave of memories (gained second-hand) at the sight and mention of old war sites. Thanks to you and Chris for the walkabout.
Rod said,
August 5, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
Hi Annie,
these places and the history around them can be as interesting or a lacklustre as a person would wish.
Simply given a bit of time, visit such a place and immerse yourself in the area, the history and let your imagination do the best - surely many people who didn’t even imagine they could be interested would be taken in.
Certainly I’m getting some good emails about this content on the site - more people like it than I thought.
Possibly some of the attraction is the journey and the learning curve I’m on - perhaps others are doing the same.
Cheers
Rod
chris keyworth said,
August 6, 2009 @ 12:25 am
ok here is a wartime mystery…..
On 12th March 1945 a Lancaster Bomber took off from what was RAF Elsham Wold bound for Dortmund Germany, whilst on its bombing run it took a direct hit through the wing, whilst this would not be a big issue normaly on this occasion it was to prove fatal to one of the crew members sgt F E Carter, the story goes.
on inspection of the wing in mid flight it soon became aparent that there had been a direct hit by an alied incendry bomb and the bomb had trapped itself in the wing, it was deemed safe to fly back home however these sorts of decice were activated by a spinning prop on the front of the bomb, once this stops spinning……BOOOOM….
the crew managed to fly the stricken Lanc back to base at Elsham top however the dilemer was do they land and risk killing everyone or do they bail out, they decided to bail out over the airfield, all but one of the crewdid this sgt Carter drew the short straw and stayed on the aircraft to guide it away from the airfield he did this bailing out at the very last minute just before the plane crashed into a wooded area, Sgt Carter bailed out but he was to low to the ground and his parachute failed to open killing him instantly, his body was recovered close to the site the same day.
The lancaster was left on the crash site as it was to inaccesable to recover… the Lancaster remains on the crash site to this very day……
i searched for two years to find this aircraft and succeeded..
can you find it ??????
details.
PM-V LM131 Lancaster Elsham Wold (Miss Venus)
only me and a few Pesky Wabbits Know the exact spot, Good Hunting…
regards
Chris
Rod said,
August 6, 2009 @ 8:08 am
Chris,
great stuff and another mystery worth looking at - what about Google Earth - could that show anything ?
One of our esteemed regulars Dino came up with the idea of using it to look for crop marks and building outlines in fields - it’s a great tool
Best
Rod
chris keyworth said,
August 6, 2009 @ 10:19 am
Hi Rod
Indeed google earth is a valuable tool in this case and did clinch the find spot for me but it was not obvious, i had to look into air crashes and crash sites to get a feel for the crash patterns that downd aircraft made in the ground, LM131 was a typical crash site just before impact the aqircraft banked hard right rolling onto its side the wing impacted first into the trees this created a half moon effect in the trees which up until about 25 years ago nothing ever grew back, now there is a very dense covering but the crash site is still visible just if you know what to look for
Regards
Chris
at least one of the crew members still survives today
(Elsham Wold Air Museum Elsham top next to the Resovoir)
Annie Flinn said,
August 6, 2009 @ 6:15 pm
To Rod and Chris,
I love this stuff. When my son was very young, I used to put him in our pick-up truck and then start driving. If I found a dirt road that looked interesting, I’d say, “Let’s have an adventure,” and off we’d go. Those little journeys are among my favorite memories, and, according to my lad now, he is often given to taking roads he’s never been on before. Your posts are like having little adventures from right at my desk. Keep up the trekking, please!!!
Annie
Rod said,
August 6, 2009 @ 7:49 pm
Annie and Chris,
thanks for the comments - really appreciated and pleased people seem to like it.
Annie as to Keep up the trekking, please!!!
See the next comment
Best
Rod
Rod said,
August 6, 2009 @ 8:06 pm
Important Update ~ Mystery Solved ?
Today I visited the site mentioned by Annie
pastscape.english-heritage.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1429224…
I visited the site today, which proved to be something of a trial in itself ( long story - involving civil disobedience etc) and I’m beginning to wonder whether it is actually a mix up with coordinates.
That is to say, the information does in fact refer to the site photographed above but the grid reference and maps that then follow suit refer to the site at Killingholme.
The site visited today was nothing like as impressive.
It is also in Killingholme and not Stallingborough Battery despite being named Stallingborough Battery or Stallingborough Fort
If it is a mix up of sites by English Heritage or whoever supplied the grid reference does that leave room for a nice conspiracy theory - please put on the supplied tinfoil hat now.
There is next to no information available for the site I originally reported on and the MOD planted a wood to obscure it - possibly then they gave the coordinates as the one on the Humber Estuary so anybody wishing to visit would go to that one not Keelby ?
Anyway, a great day out with some detective work involved - could well be a mystery solved - we shall see.
It was also a great day for refusing to be told what I can and cannot do - who do some people think they are and don’t they know who I am
Investigatively and Rebelliously Yours
Rod
chris keyworth said,
August 6, 2009 @ 11:26 pm
Hi Rod
tin foil hat on…..
lets start at East Halton but on the sea wall, east halton Skitter was part of a massive deception during WWII the area was laid out with lights to lok like hull docks and to draw fire from enermy fire which it did to great effect..
Killingholme Haven were Simon Storage is today was a massive sea plane base the jettys can still be seen jutting out into the humber there is a nature reserve there just near the entrance to the dock at killingholme haven this was the main site of the sea plain base, just up from there you will find a light house near to the top secret MOD Fuel dump (fact). this can just be seen from google earth, on station road killingholme there is a few sheds in a field these are hangers for Barage balloons if you look you will find some anchor points too.
still heading south along the wall you come to immingham dock this was a submarine base juring the war.
crossing the lock gates you will eventualy come to a pond i can remember there being a pill box there.
further along you will come to a sharp bend in the wall going around some waist land this is where your coordinates are for, this waistland used to be the sight of a light anti aircraft battery and later a coast guard station. my knollage ends there..
just a quick note the fuel dump i mentioned is MOD property so dont go wondering on there its not worth the hasstle Remember Greenham Common.
If stallingborough is a post war site then it will be under the 100 year rule as most cold war sites still are this will explain it being hused up.
while we are on hushed up sites tho, are you aware that our area was on the front line during the cold war at caistor there was 3 ICBMs based there up until the mid 70s and another 3 at Ludford explaining the huge nuclear bunker complex at Donnington on Bain the Nuclear strike comand for our area was RAF Hemswell…..
food for thought isnt it..
regards
chris
Annie Flinn said,
August 7, 2009 @ 1:24 am
What would trekking be without a little civil disobedience??
Annie
Rod said,
August 7, 2009 @ 8:09 am
Chris,
great stuff - I had no idea of the nuclear info and it certainly is food for thought - I sometimes wonder whether it might be better to be kept in the dark about somethings - do we really want to know it all.
As they say ignorance is bliss !
Thanks again Chris
Cheers
Rod
Hugh said,
September 6, 2009 @ 1:56 pm
Coastal Batteries.
There was a WW1 coastal defence battery at Killingholme, as well as the Seaplane base and Admiralty fuel stores.
Further down the coast at Immingham there was a Naploeonic costal defence battery which has sadly been destroyed by the docks, there is a blip in the coastline where it used to be. It was paired with Paull battery on the Northern bank.
At Stallingborough there was a WW1 and a WW2 coastal defence battery (on the smae site but using differnt emplacment), again paired with one on the North Bank. Whats left is in the back of Millenium Inorganic Chemicals plant, last time I checked there was a small pillbox and a couple of guard rooms and the top of one of the WW1 emplacments.
The emplacements on Keelby road are all that is left of an anti-aircraft battery. It once had the smaller 3.75″ (iirc) guns as well as the larger 5.25″ guns which sat on the emplacments which are still there. Both sets of guns had ammunition stores, concrete emplacments, command posts (the underground bunker thing), and shared a Radar and Nissen hut style barracking. The stables near the emplacments are the former guard room and ammunition store for the 5.25″ emplacments; behind them, buried under loads of brambles, is a Cold War Royal Observer Core underground monitoring post, these bunkers would have monitored nuclear fallout should the worst happen.
I’m not sure where Chris got his information, I would be quite interested, as I was under the impression that the only WW2 anti aircraft battery in the area that had managed to shoot anything down was the Goxhill site.
chris keyworth said,
September 6, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
hugh
the immingham battery down manby road had two confirmed kills over the town one crashed in a field near the bluestone pub the other into the humber just off the docks
regards
chris
chris keyworth said,
September 6, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
local knollage mate you can’t beet it, ask the oldies……
Amiguru said,
September 13, 2009 @ 1:06 pm
OK Rod, Chris, Annie, Hugh, and anyone else interested; I can’t add anything to the bones of this investigation but I can add a little flesh in the form of a reference to the emplacement by a first hand account of the Habrough Rd. crash referred to by Chris.
An old and late friend of mine, Eric Rands, well known to anyone interested in Immingham history, relates to several incidents during the 2nd. WW when he was a member of the Immingham Royal Observer Corps:
“Another alarming experience came when on 22 March 1941, in the Observer Post on duty was Observer E. Simpson and Observer C. Pettifer a few minutes to eight in the evening an enemy aircraft was plotted coming in low over the Docks all the guns at Little London and Sixhills in Manby Road with their 4.5 inch guns opened fire. The dock guns opened up including the machine gun on the top of the Granary, this appeared to hit the plane and it lost height and come very low over the Post just managing to clear Margaret Street and the houses in Pelham Road and hitting the top of a large ash tree in Stallingborough Road, narrowly missing the home of Mrs. J. Kennedy it crashed in the cornfield of Mr. Maltby in Habrough Road. The bomber a Heinkel 111 was carrying nine bombs which fortunately had dropped harmlesly on the dock estate. It carried a crew of four two of the men were taken prisoner and two died, one of the two prisoners was the rear gunner called Herbert Heinrich.”
A fuller account of Eric’s experiences in the Observer Corps. can be read in “More memories of Immingham” by E. Rands published by Immingham Museum and Immingham & District History Society.
Immingham News published a whole page article about this incident on 21 August 1970 entitled “Death of a Heinkel Bomber” including a photo of Yours Truly holding a piece of the wing fabric of the aircraft and a piece of parachute chord. I can’t believe how young I was then complete with nerdy but trendy, (then), black framed glasses!
I’ll re-read all six columns later and report back if there is anything of interest to add.
Researchingly yours,
Neville
Rod said,
September 13, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
Neville,
that’s blindingly good information - pure gravy as PG Wodehouse used to say !
It’s just the sort of stuff that I really hoped would happen - great information such as this being added and the whole page simply getting better and better in terms of interest and content.
Many thanks for taking the time Neville, I’ll not be the only one who appreciated it
All the best
Rod
chris keyworth said,
September 13, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
here is one for you, did anyone know there was also a battery at broclesby cross roads near habrough and a rail battery at broclesby interchance near habrough,
can anyone add to this one
Amiguru said,
September 14, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
Rod & Co.,
Lots of detailed information in the Immingham News article about the Habrough Road crash but nothing more about the Little London Battery. Very well written article but no indication as to the journalist. I can only recall one who I think wrote for The News, Chris Otter, perhaps it was he. I believe the archive is in Grimsby Library if anyone wants to follow it up.
No Chris, I didn’t know about those but then I have been considerably remote in space and time for keeping up with things in N.E. Lincs. Until now that is! Thanks to Rod’s site
Neville
David J. Smith said,
October 5, 2009 @ 7:17 pm
Hi Rod.
I have just discovered your site and find it deeply interesting. I enjoyed reading the letters from Neville (Amiguru). This can only be my old friend Neville Sissons. I have lost touch with him since he left Roxton Sidings where he used to live, but I would be really grateful if you would contact him on my behalf and see if he would forward me his email address so I can get in touch with him again. In his letter, Neville refers to holding a piece of parachute ripcord from the crashed Heinkel Bomber. I donated the rip cord to Immingham museum, which my Grandfather, Albert Edward Hopkinson, (who was a Lieutenant in the Home Guard) cut from the wreckage.
Best regards,
David.
Rod said,
October 6, 2009 @ 9:28 am
Hi David,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site - we should be able to get contact through the site for you.
I don’t store people’s email addresses etc but a comment should get him sooner or later.
Best
Rod
Rod said,
October 6, 2009 @ 9:30 am
Neville !
please see comment above
Best
Rod
David J. Smith said,
October 6, 2009 @ 10:05 am
Thanks Rod, much appreciated.
By the way, did you ever find the Lancaster, Miss Venus? I’d love to see that. I used to spend a lot of my time with an Aircraft Preservation Society which used to stand on the site now used by Pleasure Island and knew many crash sites in the ares, but haven’t heard of that one.
Regards
David
chris keyworth said,
October 6, 2009 @ 11:54 am
David
this is the grid for Miss Venus TA 0410 1135
Regards
Chris
David J. Smith said,
October 6, 2009 @ 12:02 pm
That’s excellent. Thank you Chris. I’ll look forward to paying the site a visit.
Best regards,
David
Rod said,
October 6, 2009 @ 1:51 pm
David,
this is the grid for Miss Venus TA 0410 1135
That’s what’s known as the CK express service - go to that spot with absolute confidence as well !
Best
Rod
David J. Smith said,
October 6, 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Thanks Rod. I’ll buy myself an Ordnance Survey Map tomorrow and pay the site a visit. Thanks again to yourself and Chris. I must admit, I’d resigned myself to two years searching in the undergrowth with a shovel and a flashlight!
Regards
David
Rod said,
October 6, 2009 @ 7:06 pm
David,
if that’s were Chris says it is then it’ll be there !
He’s had me all over Lincolnshire with some fine suggestions and never a ‘bum steer’ yet !
I once faltered and had a brief doubt, weirdly enough in Stallingborough churchyard, but I just hadn’t looked hard enough
Cheers
Rod
Amiguru said,
October 6, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
Hi Rod & David,
I’ve known Dave man-and-boy as they say. He used to show a keen interest in archaeology from the age of a13 or 14 when he used to visit me when I was Assistant Curator of Immingham Museum in the old building, (opposite the Bluey to those who know the area). He and a mate of his, sorry can’t remember his name, stood out as being the ‘right’ kind of youths, not intent on looking for trouble. I, of course encouraged their interest in things past and it has obviously stood Dave in good stead. The last time we were in touch was when he was working on the N. Sea oil rigs as a young man.
Good to hear from you Dave and I hereby give Rod permission to pass on my e-mail address to you. Then we will be able to catch up a bit on the last 40! years. I can’t imagine you as a ‘mature’ man but of course tempus fugit for all of us ;?) I wonder how many of my old mates will come out of the woodwork in due course…..
Regards,
Neville
Post scriptum: thank you Mine Host for the ‘Golden Gag’ award.
Rod said,
October 7, 2009 @ 9:03 am
David,
I’ve emailed you Neville’s address
Best
Rod
David J. Smith said,
October 8, 2009 @ 8:24 am
Hi Rod, Chris.
First I’d like to say thank you for passing my message on to Neville. We have made contact again after some 30 odd years, and it’s all thanks to your great website. Really appreciated.
Secondly, I have obtained an Ordnance survey Map and plan to visit the crash site of Miss Venus, probably this Sunday. I wondered if I need the land owners permission to do this?
Regards to you both,
David
chris keyworth said,
October 8, 2009 @ 8:56 am
hi yes you will need to go up to elsham hall to get permision the site is however very overgrown at the moment you would be better waiting until the undergrowth has all died down..
regards
chris
David J. Smith said,
October 8, 2009 @ 9:36 am
Ok Chris, thanks. I’ll leave it for a while. Is there much wreckage visable at the site?
Regards,
Dave
chris keyworth said,
October 8, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
dave if you schedule it for a weekend and come pick me up in immingham i can get you axcess through my friends farm up at elsham plus ive already got permission to search the area so no need to go up to the big house then. it is tricky to get into that part of the wood from elsham but i know a easy route into the site, there isnt a great deal to see unfortunatly as the plain broke up on impact but if i take my detector with me it will help to find it as long as we dont dig on the site we will be ok, it isnt classed as a war grave but i would like to treat it as one as a man did loose his life there
regards
chris
David J. Smith said,
October 8, 2009 @ 4:12 pm
Hi Chris. That’s brilliant. I could pick you up no problem. I live near Little London, so not too far away from you.
I fully understand about respecting these crash sites, and like you, think they should be treated with care.
When would be the best time for you to go?
Regards,
Dave
chris keyworth said,
October 8, 2009 @ 4:19 pm
any weekend is fine with me Dave as long as you give me a bit of notice so i can arrange for my dog to be looked after
regards
chris
David J. Smith said,
October 8, 2009 @ 5:07 pm
Ok Chris. I’ll be in touch.
All the best
Dave
Matthew said,
October 21, 2009 @ 9:13 pm
Brilliant site so enjoyed reading through this thread. I live in Immingham and work at Killingholme docks on the humber sea terminal. I have seen the old jettys and had heard was a ww2 sea plane base. Didint know about the sub pen and the aviation fuel dump?. Great job on finding the old lanc we should never forget these sites and planes and the brave men that gave their lives for us all. Really enjoyed the read keep up the good work !!
Rod said,
October 22, 2009 @ 8:26 am
Matthew,
thanks for the taking the time to comment and welcome to the site - hope you’ll return.
There’s plenty more to come so keep tuning in, hopefully some stuff in and around your neck of the woods as well.
Thanks again Matthew
All the best
Rod
chris keyworth said,
October 22, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
Hi Rod
found another heavy gun inplacement recently at TA 1360 1900 East Halton. pattern seems the same as stallingborough……
Regards
Chris
Rod said,
October 22, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
Chris,
that’s fantastic - many thanks - I’m there !
In fact I’m looking at the sky right now . . .
Best
Rod
chris keyworth said,
October 22, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
on this subject ive located this set of pages a very interesting read and i think overlooked by us all on this subject..
http://www.17balloons.co.uk/pages/page-07.html
regards
chris
simon said,
December 15, 2009 @ 11:18 pm
fantastic site didnt know about miss venus i live at barton would love to see this site is it easy to acsess
NEAL said,
January 12, 2010 @ 5:49 pm
hi Chris, very interested in visiting the crash site of Miss veuns…as i and my wife are very keen on ww2 aircraft…but we have no idea where to start looking..do you have any suggestions?….thanks…neal…
chris keyworth said,
January 12, 2010 @ 9:21 pm
a good start is the one on brocklesby park mentioned here previously, i am happy to take you up to the site of the Miss venus crash site after the shooting season has finished
regards
chris
NEAL said,
January 13, 2010 @ 8:04 pm
Thanks Chris, that would be fantastic…just let me know when its convenient for you…cheers…
mmmmmm said,
January 25, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
just chatting yesterday about childhood, i used to live in Little London. (am nearly 45, so dont remember the wars!)
Me and a group of friends use to play on the “battlefield” as we called it,that was before the wood and the horses, though i did hack my own pony through the “battlefield”.
As you entered the “battlefield” from the road, behind what is now some stables, there was a well kept grassy mound with a lid on. There was a sign saying ministry of defence PRIVATE.. so we didnt go near that. There was always cars coming and going, We saw people coming and going, evidence of it still being used, as for what i dont know.I and my friends were more intrested in play, to us it was just a big playground
chris keyworth said,
January 25, 2010 @ 7:41 pm
very interesting… sounds like a hidden bunker we didnt find..
chris keyworth said,
January 25, 2010 @ 7:53 pm
mmmmmm, would this mound be large and square by any chance
regards
chris
chris keyworth said,
February 7, 2010 @ 7:13 pm
the new picture above should shed a bit more light on this site
regards
chris
Rod said,
February 7, 2010 @ 7:44 pm
Chris,
any idea of the date of the photograph ?
Best
Rod
chris keyworth said,
February 7, 2010 @ 7:48 pm
i would say late 40s early 50s but not certain…
regards
chris
Rod said,
February 7, 2010 @ 7:53 pm
Chris,
that fits exactly with my thoughts - I had 1947 in mind !
Cheers
Rod
chris keyworth said,
February 7, 2010 @ 8:03 pm
just overlayed it on google earth fits almost perfectly ive emailed it to you..
David J. Smith said,
February 7, 2010 @ 8:23 pm
Chris, interesting aerial photo. I wondered if you know what the small buildings linked by a series of roads are slightly to the north of the gun emplacements. Also there are what looks like huts of some description to the east of those. Would it be the Army camp do you think? If you look at the same area with Google maps, you can just make out on the same field where these buildings were.
Regards
Dave
chris keyworth said,
February 7, 2010 @ 8:30 pm
yes just been studying it all it is almost certainly a military instalation or camp of some sorts the three huts in the north of the field i think are for housing search lights there rest lok like barrack buildings, its nice to see the original gun emplacements in the middle of the field too.
chris keyworth said,
February 7, 2010 @ 10:18 pm
Just a thought ive been bannding around in my head but is anyone interested in setting up a historical preservation society for the stallingborough battery we may be able to aquire it if we do….
regards
chris..
David J. Smith said,
February 8, 2010 @ 8:26 am
Good idea Chris, I’m game. After all, it’s in a field just behind my house.
Dave
Rod said,
February 8, 2010 @ 9:32 am
Chris,
there is huge interest in this site. This page gets more visitors than any other on a similar theme
Best
Rod
chris keyworth said,
February 8, 2010 @ 12:24 pm
any ideas of how we can go abouty it as ive never done that sort of thing before
regards
chris
David J. Smith said,
February 8, 2010 @ 1:03 pm
I’ve no idea Chris. I suppose the first step is to find out who owns the land.
Dave
chris keyworth said,
February 8, 2010 @ 1:15 pm
that one is easy its Strawsons i believe at Burnham, i think we need to get a commitee together first then work out the best way to approach Peter Strawson and arrange a site visit with him to discus our intentions for the site i beleive at this moment in time it is salvageable and can be still used for public viewing..
regards
chris
Rod said,
February 8, 2010 @ 6:43 pm
Chris,
does public viewing mean public liability insurance - I suspect so, that could be a real nightmare
Best
Rod
chris keyworth said,
February 8, 2010 @ 7:07 pm
shouldnt be a problem, if i can get it for paintballing i can get it for anything lol PLI dunt phase me in the slightest….
regards
chris
Len Copsey said,
March 5, 2010 @ 10:33 am
I was a Gunner in the 92 HAA Regiment, RA, stationed at the ex-Royal Navy Barracks, Immingham Dock near Grimsby circa August 1947, we trained in Gun drill at the Stallinbourgh Gun Site, there were four 5.25inch bore Heavy Anti Aircraft Guns on site, each Gun was in a concrete emplacement and underneath the Gun were living quarters, a Gunfitters & Limber gunners workshop, basic cooking facilitys also a toilet area, more later. Len Copsey.
Rod said,
March 5, 2010 @ 11:49 am
Len
many thanks for the comment and welcome to the site.
That is absolutely fabulous, not only myself but many others will be fascinated by this - it’s exactly the kind of information this article needs
Thanks again Len
All the best
Rod
Len Copsey said,
March 5, 2010 @ 9:04 pm
Re-my first post, your pic of the Gun holding down bolts also shows the compartments in the concrete surround, the 90lb projectiles (shell) were placed in there also the 56lb cordite explosive cartridge case so that as the Gun traversed to follow it target ammunition was always to hand on its 360 degree turning circle, the shell was passed up to the fuse setter, and placed in the trough with the cartridge behind moved over to the ramming position and brought back this was all done to chanting numbers = seconds of time until you reached as fast as possible, the Gun was operated by Hydraulic Pump powered by a Crossley Diesel Engine which were bastards to start, going to look for a photo, more later. Len Copsey.
chris keyworth said,
March 5, 2010 @ 9:12 pm
very impressed Len, true gritt what do you say Rod?
regards
chris
Little Brother said,
March 5, 2010 @ 11:24 pm
Len,
It’s great to hear what you have to say on this, I know that this is what Rod was hoping for and it should never be forgotten. I, for one hope you stick around.
Kind regards
Miles
Rod said,
March 6, 2010 @ 8:03 am
Len,
it just gets better - details like that are absolutely superb. The only people who know this are those who were there and it is, I believe, vital that we preserve, remember and treasure this sort of information.
Every snippet is gold dust Len - I should be more thna happy to put any pictures up should you wish Len.
Many thanks again
Kind Regards
Rod
Rod said,
March 6, 2010 @ 8:06 am
Chris,
absolutely !
As i keep saying when I write visits up, I wonder who went here before me and what they did - how did their lives differ from my cushy existence. Well, thanks to Len we now have an idea of what went on here.
It’s absolutely fascinating - though I don’t need to tell you that Chris - I’m sure
Best wishes
Rod
Len Copsey said,
March 6, 2010 @ 9:59 pm
The Regiment had 4 Batterys, i was in 271Batt, each was responsible for one 5.25 AA Gun, beside training on it had to cleaned inside & out and the Gun barrel bore being given the same as a rifle barrel pull through only this barrel was done with a set of big diameter bamboo rods one of which had brushes set in spiral pattern this was pushed into the breech block end of the barrel the rest of the rods connected in the same way as chimney sweeps brushes and worked forward & back until the barrel was clean then lightly oiled, task complete. Those reading my memories might have noticed that i always write “gun” with a capital “G” this because the Guns are the Royal Artillery`s Coulers the same as other Army regiments. Battle flags & Standards, next post i will tell of our night excercise at Stallinborough. 19189955 Gunner Len Copsey.
chris keyworth said,
March 6, 2010 @ 11:03 pm
Great input Len i am truely facinated keep it coming
regards
chris
ex 26 Sqn, 63 Sqn RAF Reg and 22 Sabre Squadron
Rod said,
March 7, 2010 @ 9:04 am
Len,
this is truly fascinating - I really can’t tell you how much this is appreciated - it simply couldn’t be better.
Please do keep it coming.
Many thanks Len
Rod
David Smith said,
March 7, 2010 @ 1:12 pm
Interesting stuff from Len Copsey. It’d be great if we could meet him at the site and have him give us a guided tour! If he still lives locally, that is. How about it Len?
Dave
Rod said,
March 7, 2010 @ 4:21 pm
Len has very kindly sent me a picture of the exact type of the 5.25″ gun that was in use at Stallingborough.
In Len’s words:
the pic is of a 5:25in Anti Aircraft on sunny
Gibralter!!!, the Stallinbourgh Guns were painted dark green and in a
different emplacment windy, Lincolnshire, will be in touch again Cheers Len.
First hand knowledge - better than any book or website !
Thanks again Len
All the best
Rod
Len Copsey said,
March 7, 2010 @ 5:20 pm
Hello David Smith, Sorry Dave, i live in built up Brum, well not built up in Sheldon where i live, when i was told i was being posted to Grimsby i thought it was to the end of the earth!!, but discovered they were nice friendly people, Cheers Len.
David Smith said,
March 7, 2010 @ 5:31 pm
Great photo. It makes you realise just how big the Guns were. My mother has told me that when these Guns started firing, you really knew about it. I’m only too pleased I wasn’t on the receiving end.
Looking forward to Len’s night time experience.
Best regards
Dave
David Smith said,
March 7, 2010 @ 5:43 pm
Hi Len, thanks for your reply.
The Gun emplacement is about 500 yards from where I live and I often take my dogs for a walk there. Visiting the old site always makes me wonder what it must have been like when it was in operation. Your input to Rod’s great web site is a welcome addition as I’m sure Rod will agree. I believe the Gun site is one of the most visited on his pages.
All the best
Dave
chris keyworth said,
March 7, 2010 @ 6:48 pm
great pic Len
i was wondering exactly what they look like and so where many others, i know Rod has said this but im going to say it again ” PURE GOLD DUST “, I have rushed home after a grueling 35 mile bike ride part of my fitness program and logged straight on and i am really pleased i did well worth the rush thanks Len
Regards
Chris..
Rod said,
March 7, 2010 @ 7:40 pm
Chris, (reposted because I didn’t address it)
Don’t be thinking your second to last comment passed me by !!!
Best
Rod
chris keyworth said,
March 7, 2010 @ 7:56 pm
thought it may grab somones attention Rod dont share your Research…63 is the route in after three years…
regards
chris….
Len Copsey said,
March 7, 2010 @ 9:35 pm
And so it came, the night excercise, we lowly Gunners were not consulted, be on parade at 13:00hrs in FSMO (field service marching order) Kit, which was big pack with ground sheet, blanket and greatcoat on top, small pack containing razor, shaving brush,soap not forgetting eating irons,knife, fork,spoon etc, gas mask, small arms ammo pouches weighing around 48lbs, no rifle, not issued, at this point i should tell we did`nt have studs in the soles of our boots, then mount the Bedford QL lorries and off we go to Stallinborough all S/Lieutenants Battery C/O`s, all the Sgts, Bombers, L/Bombadiers, Army Catering Corp Cooks, every thing to set up a fun night out, to be continued Cheers Len.
Rod said,
March 8, 2010 @ 8:22 am
Len,
fantastic - not only is it very special to have someb0ody wo was there telling us this but I am particularly drawn to the small details such as FSMO, studs in boots and the type of lorries. This detail is not only fascinating but hugely important and has now been preserved for the future.
Love it Len - waiting for the next ‘episode’
In appreciation
Rod
Len Copsey said,
March 8, 2010 @ 11:01 pm
When we went for regular training we would go directly to the Guns and did`nt see the huts that were used when it was WW2 for the overnight exercise dismounted from the lorries at the huts which were in need of a lot of work so we were put to work cleaning out the huts which were to be our billet, there was no glass in any of the windows and some doors were missing, just across the road way were lots of corrugated iron sheets, one of the Officers had a small dog wich was running round the sheets we were told to lift them and rats ran every were i don`t think the dog caught even one!. We had our teatime food by then it was getting dark some temporary lighting was on mainly paraffin hurricane lamps and bedded down for the night. Morning 6:am breakfast, the cooks had been up since 5:am getting it cooked, then down to the Guns remove covers and stand by Battery Gun Battery/Sgt shouts the order “TAKE POST!!!” No 1 who fires the Gun, 2 fuse setter 3 elevation 4 traverse 5 shell loader & rammer 6 cartridge loader mount the Gun, ammunition handlers take position round the Gun five or ten all change every Gunner has a spell in each task, this carried on until dinner about 1:30 pm and then exercise over clear up, pack up and back to Immingham and a bath & our own beds, Good night all i am quite worn out. Len.
Femme Fatale said,
March 9, 2010 @ 8:03 am
To all,
This post came in very handy for my sons homework,
Thank you all for the great information.
FF
xx
Rod said,
March 9, 2010 @ 8:32 am
Len,
that’s fabulous. I wonder, was there a permanent guard stationed there ?
Also, if not, were the guns ‘disabled’ in any way when not required to be ready ?
Best
Rod
Len Copsey said,
March 9, 2010 @ 1:41 pm
I hope this Link works, it is the GDA (Gun Defence Area) for the Humber area. Len. file:///C:/Users/Leonard/Downloads/humber.html
Len Copsey said,
March 9, 2010 @ 3:35 pm
Rod, When i had passed my HA Gunfitters trade course i worked on a Gunsite on the esplanade at New Brighton, Merseyside.circa 1949 the four 5:25 Guns were inside a Ministry of Defence 15foot high so called”unclimbable fence” and a caretaker had a key to the gates who we would phone to unlock before i arrived, the Guns were disabled by the sea waves which crashed over the sea wall approx 25 to 30 yards away & made rust holes in the steel pipes which brought the hydraulic oil pressure from the pump apart from that there was no ammunition!!, and it took 3 men to start the Crossley Diesel Engine, two turned the starting handle and the ERA (Engine Room Attendant) to operate the starter when the turn over was right and our ERA a Worcester lad was brill!!!. Len.
chris keyworth said,
March 9, 2010 @ 4:37 pm
Hi Len
The link will not work it is local to your hard drive only, perhaps if it is a picture you may want to attach it to an email and send it direct to Rod..
Regards
Chris…
Rod said,
March 9, 2010 @ 5:43 pm
Hi Len,
thanks for the reply, very interesting. I just wondered because without security . . .
I imagine there must have been a lot of ordnance kicking about here and there after the war, shell, plus access to gun and knowing how to fire it would equal a big bang somewhere !
Best
Rod
Len Copsey said,
March 9, 2010 @ 11:57 pm
Edit by site owner.
Some information kindly suppied by Len is to be used in a separate article - many thanks Len
Regards
Rod
Len Copsey said,
March 10, 2010 @ 7:18 pm
Hi every one, we reached the Gunsite by a narrow lane just about wide enough for a Bedford lorry at the end was a locked gate, gate unlocked and we drove to the Guns, there must have been a farmer? who had access too, because the grass was cut when it got to long. Len.
Rod said,
March 10, 2010 @ 7:33 pm
Len,
I think that’s still the same now, there are horse stables and the like there now, buildings initially to the left I think as you go in.
Best
Rod
PS, in the box marked URI you’ve probably got ‘none’ or something in there did you want to erase that so the URI box is left comepletely empty - it’ll stop trying to make a link out of your name then
PPS
here’s some of the other sites I’ve been to Len - lest you or others haven’t seen them yet
http://www.rodcollins.com/wordpress/kirmington-bunkers-a-look-at-the-extensive-remains-of-wartime-buildings
http://www.rodcollins.com/wordpress/east-halton-world-war-2-anti-aircraft-battery-balloon-site
http://www.rodcollins.com/wordpress/brocklesby-memorial-arch-brocklesby-wartime-bunkers
Len Copsey said,
March 12, 2010 @ 7:26 am
Hi Rod, I have looked the sites very interesting. Len.
Rod said,
March 12, 2010 @ 9:24 am
Hi Len,
many thnaks , now the weather’s turning hope to get a few more visited and written up
Best
Rod
Len Copsey said,
March 12, 2010 @ 10:20 am
On the aerial photo to left of the Guns is a sand bagged ptotected enclosure this is the command post in it would be the predictor & a range finder and the fire control Officers who gave the order to fire by telephone to the Gun commanders 1,2,3 or 4 or all together as a barrage, a direct hit was always a bonus the main idea was to cause the enemy to fly high and make it difficult for them to identify and hit the target.