‘World War 2 Treasure Hunters’ TV Series Duxford Airfield
Duxford, Cambridgeshire Client:
Date: July 2018 Series 1, Episode 4 Metal Detector Survey & Test Pit Report SACIC Report No. 2017/117 Authors: Timothy Schofield, Mark Sommers & Stephen Taylor © SACIC
Duxford Airfield, Duxford, Cambridgeshire World War 2 Treasure Hunters
Series 1, Episode 4
Metal Detector Survey & Test Pit Report
Authors: Timothy Schofield, Mark Sommers, Stephen Taylor
Illustrators: Timothy Schofield, Mark Sommers, Rui Santo
Editor: Stuart Boulter
Report Date: July 2018
HER Information Site Name: Duxford Airfield, Duxford, Cambridgeshire Date of Fieldwork: 18th – 19th June 2017 Grid Reference: Dump Site 1: TL 4830 4710
Dump Site 2: TL 4470 4510 Oasis Reference: suffolka1-323354 Project Officers: Timothy Schofield, Mark Sommers WWII Finds Expert: Stephen Taylor Client: Emporium Productions Ltd
Digital report submitted to Archaeological Data Service:
http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/library/greylit
Prepared By: Timothy Schofield, Mark Sommers & Stephen Taylor
Date: July 2018
Approved By: Stuart Boulter
Position: Senior Project officer
Date: July 2018
Signed:
Contents
Summary
1. Introduction 1
2. Geology and topography 3
3. Archaeological background 4
4. Methodology 6
5. Results and discussion 7
6. Conclusion 10
7. Archive deposition 10
8. Acknowledgements 10
9. Bibliography 11
List of Figures
Figure 1. Site location 2 Figure 2. Duxford, Dump Site 1 – Test Pit 1 12 Figure 3. Duxford, Dump Site 2 – Test Pit 2 and metal detector findspots 14 Figure 4. Plans and Sections, Dump Sites 1 & 2 16
List of Appendices
Appendix 1. Finds from Duxford Appendix 2. OASIS form
Summary On the 18th and 19th June 2017, Suffolk Archaeology Community Interest Company
(SACIC) undertook a metal detector survey and a test pitting exercise on two suspected
rubbish dump sites near Duxford Airfield, Duxford, Cambridgeshire. The aim of the
project was to prospect, record and recover finds relating to the WW2 airfield, that was
used by both the RAF and USAAF during the war.
Dump Site 1 was located to the east of the airfield, Dump Site 2 was situated on private
land at the end of the runway to the west. The metal detector survey was undertaken
over the entire extent of the two areas and returned some WW2 finds relating to the
RAF, further finds were recovered during the test pitting exercise which determined the
depth of deposits.
1
1. Introduction On the 18th and 19th June 2017 a metal detector survey and a test pitting exercise
were undertaken at two suspected rubbish dump sites to the east and west of Duxford
Airfield, Duxford, Cambridgeshire (Fig. 1).
The surveys were overseen by Suffolk Archaeology Community Interest Company
(SACIC) and commissioned by Emporium Productions Ltd, as part of a television series
investigating the history of WW2 sites, with this episode set at Duxford Airfield.
The specific research aims of the metal detector survey and test pitting exercise were:
• To confirm the presence of the two dump sites to the east and west of Duxford
Airfield;
• To define the extent of the dump sites;
• To recover artefacts relating to the WW2 airfield;
• To recover artefacts that could reveal activities relating to the WW2 airfield and
its personnel.
2
Figure 1. Site location
3
2. Geology and topography Two separate areas were surveyed at Duxford. Dump Site 1 was located to the east of
the airfield and to the south of the A505 in Cambridgeshire (TL 4830 4710), within a
wooded copse and immediately west of the railway line. It is situated on the side of a
slope that rises from 29m AOD on its southern border up to a height of 32m AOD, as it
nears the A505 on its northern boundary.
Dump Site 2 (TL 4470 4510) was situated on private property at a height of 36m AOD,
bounded to the north by the A505, to the west by a field reclaimed back from a former
landfill site used from 1957 to 1987. It is approximately 850m from the end of the
current Duxford runway.
The bedrock geology at both sites is described as Holywell Nodular Chalk Formation, a
sedimentary deposit formed 90 to 101 million years ago in the Cretaceous Period, when
the environment was dominated by warm shallow chalk seas (BGS 2018).
Superficial deposits at Dump Site 1 are defined as Lowestoft Formation sand and
gravel, deposited up to 2 million years ago in the Quaternary Period during glacial and
interglacial periods (BGS 2018).
The superficial deposits at Dump Site 2 are alluvial fan deposits of clay, silt, sand and
gravel, formed up to 3 million years ago in the Quaternary Period when the local
environment was dominated by rivers depositing detrital fluvia from channels,
floodplains and levees (BGS 2018).
4
3. Archaeological background Duxford Aerodrome is located 15km south of the City of Cambridge, within the Parish of
Duxford, Cambridgeshire and lies 1.6km west of the village of Duxford. Many of the
buildings began to be constructed in 1918 by German prisoners of war. It housed 8
Squadron in 1919–1920 who were equipped with Bristol Fighters, followed by No. 2
Flying Training School RAF until April 1923, when 19 Squadron was formed in Duxford,
who flew the Sopwith Snipes.
By 1925, Duxford's three fighter squadrons had expanded to include the Gloster Grebes
and Armstrong Whitworth Siskins. No.19 Squadron was re-equipped with Bristol
Bulldogs in 1931 and in 1935 it was the first squadron to fly the Gloster Gauntlet, the
RAF's fastest new fighter capable of 230 mph (375 km/h). The station was enlarged
between 1928 and 1932. In 1935, Duxford was the venue for the Silver Jubilee Review
before King George V and Queen Mary, the resident squadron still being No. 19 who
gave a special demonstration for the King over Duxford.
In 1936, Flight Lieutenant Frank Whittle, who was studying at Cambridge University,
flew regularly from Duxford as a member of the Cambridge University Air Squadron.
Whittle went on to develop the jet turbine to power aircraft, enabling Britain to produce
the Gloster Meteor, which was the Allies' first operational jet fighter in 1943.
In 1938, No. 19 Squadron were the first to receive the Supermarine Spitfire, K9789, the
third production Spitfire was presented on the 4th August 1938, by the chief test pilot
Jeffrey Quill.
On the 3rd September 1939 Britain declared war on Germany and Duxford was readied
to play a vital role. By June 1940, Belgium, the Netherlands and France were under
German control with Britain as their next objective (Operation Sea Lion), Duxford was
placed on a high state of readiness. To create space for additional units, 19 Squadron
moved to nearby Fowlmere. Hurricanes first arrived at Duxford in July 1940, with the
formation of 310 Squadron, consisting of Czechoslovakian pilots who had escaped from
France. At the end of August, Air Vice-Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory, the commander
of No. 12 Group, ordered the Hurricanes of 242 Squadron commanded by Douglas
Bader to fly from RAF Coltishall joining No. 19 and 310 Squadrons on standby at
5
Duxford. These units, led by Bader, became known as the "Duxford Wing", the first of
12 Group's "Big Wing" formations.
On the 9th September 1940, the Duxford squadrons successfully intercepted and turned
back a large force of German bombers before they reached their target, proving
Duxford's importance. Two more squadrons were then added, No. 302 (Polish)
Squadron RAF with Hurricanes, and the Spitfires of No. 611 Auxiliary Squadron who
had mobilised at Duxford the year before.
Duxford became the home of several specialist units, including the Air Fighting
Development Unit (AFDU), who moved to the station at the end of 1940. The AFDU's
equipment included captured German aircraft, restored to flying condition for evaluation.
Duxford was important in developing the Hawker Typhoon, a formidable low-level
ground attack fighter. They also suggested replacing the engine of a Mk1 North
American P-51 Mustang, with the famous Merlin. The Typhoon Wing was formed in
1942 with their first operation taking place on the 20th June 1942.
The USAAF 350th Fighter Group (Eighth Air Force) was activated by special authority at
Duxford on the 1st October 1942, with a nucleus of Bell P-39 Airacobra pilots providing
ground attack options for the Twelfth Air Force in the forthcoming Operation Torch (the
invasion of North Africa). Initially, the group received export versions of the Airacobra
known as the P-400, and a few Spitfires. The air echelon moved to Oujda, French
Morocco from January to February 1943. In April 1943, the 78th Fighter Group arrived
from RAF Goxhill who gave up their Lockheed P-38 Lightnings to units fighting in North
Africa, most of the pilots were also transferred to the Twelfth Air Force as replacements.
The group was re-equipped with Republic P-47C Thunderbolts and remained at
Duxford, their aircraft were marked with a black/white chequerboard pattern. After this
the last RAF units moved out on the 15th June 1943; Duxford was officially handed over
to the Eighth Air Force as "Station 357 (DX)" until the end of the war.
A few weeks after the departure of the 78th Fighter Group on the 1st December 1945,
Duxford was returned to the RAF. For the next sixteen years, it remained an RAF
Fighter Command station, although it was closed for two years from October 1949 to
have a single concrete runway laid. This, together with a new perimeter track and
6
apron allowed for the better handling of jet aircraft, with which Fighter Command was
re-equipping.
Duxford reopened in August 1951 and in 1957, 64 Squadron operated Gloster Javelins
and 65 Squadron flew Hawker Hunters. These were the last two operational squadrons
to fly from the airfield. Duxford was deemed too far south and inland to be strategically
important for the costly improvements required for modern supersonic fighters, to be
justified. In July 1961 the last operational RAF flight was made from Duxford by a
Gloster Javelin FAW.7.
On 1st August 1961, a Gloster Meteor NF.14 made the last take off from the runway
before Duxford closed as an RAF airfield and was abandoned. In the intervening years
the Imperial War Museum had been looking for a suitable site for the storage,
restoration and eventual display of exhibits too large for its headquarters in London. It
obtained permission to use Duxford Airfield for this purpose. Cambridgeshire County
Council together with the IWM and the Duxford Aviation Society bought the runway to
give the abandoned airfield a new lease of life in 1977. The main runway was
shortened from 6,000 ft (1,829 m) by about 1,200 ft (366 m), due to the construction of
the M11 motorway in 1977, which passes along the eastern edge of the airfield. In
October 2008, an agreement was reached between Cambridgeshire County Council
and the IWM, under which the runways and 146 acres of surrounding grassland would
be sold to the museum.
Today, RAF Duxford is owned by the Imperial War Museum (IWM) and is the site of the
American Air Museum. It also houses The Fighter Collection and the Historic Aircraft
Collection, two private operators of airworthy vintage military aircraft.
4. Methodology
Metal Detector Survey
The metal detecting survey was undertaken by a group of six detectorists, all of whom
have a specific interest in WW2 sites and used their own detecting equipment.
7
When a find was prospected, the detectorists bagged and flagged the locations, before
recommencing their search. A dedicated team followed behind, recording the location
of the find, recovering and issuing unique findspot numbers written on the bags and an
accompanying label. A Leica Viva GS08+ Smart Rover RTK GLONASS/GPS, allowing
an accuracy of +/- 0.03m (where signal allowed), was used to record the location of
each discovery. Data were converted to National Grid Transformation OSTN15. The
presence of the overlying tree canopy reduced the overall accuracy of the GPS in some
locations to around 0.50m. Multiple finds located within a 1m radius of each other were
recorded using the same findspot number. Small find numbers were allocated to each
individual find, during post-survey processing.
Test Pitting Exercise
Two test pits were excavated where finds of high concentration and interest by the
detectorists were recovered, one at each dump site. They were both dug to retrieve
contextual information, placing the finds within their setting whilst gathering greater
evidence regarding their deposition.
Both test pits were hand excavated using shovels and trowels down to natural drift
geology. Proforma context sheets were completed and plans and sections were drawn
of the features (Fig. 4) and appropriate digital photographs were taken. Test pit
locations were accurately plotted with the GPS, levels were also taken of the sections.
All finds recovered from the test pits were bagged and tagged using unique
corresponding context numbers.
5. Results and discussion
Metal Detector Survey
The metal detector survey was undertaken over wide areas on both dump sites, with the
majority of detected finds being recovered from the large rubbish dump mounds. This
extant dump material was further examined using two test pits, one at each dump site.
Metal detectors were used to prospect for further finds present in the spoil removed
from the test pits.
Test Pit Exercise Two test pits were excavated and recorded, one at each dump site.
Dump Site 1, Test Pit 1 (Figures 2 and 4) This test pit measured 2.93 x 3.00m x 1.24m deep, excavated through a large rubbish
pit. At the top of the stratigraphic sequence was rubbish backfill 1000, a light orange
grey, loose sandy silt, with frequent root inclusions. It was present to a depth below
ground of 1.24m. At the base of the sequence was natural drift geology (1001),
comprising mid yellow orange, sandy silt with moderate rounded flint gravel inclusions.
Dump Site 2, Test Pit 1 (Figures 3 and 4) This test pit was slightly smaller in size, measuring 2.06 x 2.01m, it was excavated
through the edge of the mound material 1000, which comprised mid orange brown,
compact silt with occasional gravel stones, present to a depth below ground of 0.34m.
Underneath this lay natural drift geology 1001, which was mid orange yellow, compact
silty sand with occasional rounded and angular gravel inclusions.
The finds – description and discussion
Stephen Taylor
Dump Site 1, Test Pit 1
Dump Site 1, Test Pit 1, produced a very large volume of finds, the majority of which
were domestic in nature with little in the way of military ordnance. Two .303 cartridge
cases were recovered (SF 23), which indicate military use, but this is by no means
definitive. The pit did produce plenty of relics attributable to the Royal Air Force (RAF),
including complete NAAFI mugs (SF 57) along with numerous sherds of both NAAFI
and RAF crockery (SF 58 & 63) confirming that the dump contains refuse from the
personnel based at RAF Duxford. Markings present on these finds clearly date the pit
to the WW2 era. Several RAF belt buckles were also recovered (SF 95); along with
gaskets from a Merlin engine, that went between the exhaust manifold and engine block
(SF 16).
8
9
One dessert spoon was recovered from the area around the test pit, (SF 99), which had
a number stamped on the handle. This number corresponded to an RAF service
number for a member of the RAF, WO Gilbert Dawe, a test pilot. Further investigation
into the service history for Gilbert Dawe showed that he had been a member of No. 6
Maintenance Unit before transferring to serve as a test pilot for both newly
manufactured, and aircraft repaired after receiving battle damage. He received an Air
Force Cross, (for gallantry not in the face of the enemy) and was responsible for the
ferrying of a large number of aircraft to RAF Duxford. A single pocket watch (SF 101)
was further recovered from the test pit backfill, it was sent away to be 3D scanned but
unfortunately did not contain any engraving to reveal the owner.
Dump Site 2, Test Pit 1
Dump Site 2, Test Pit 1, produced little in the way of artefacts that could be definitively
attributed to the RAF or WW2. However, two finds in particular did indicate that the
area was used by the RAF, with a Lee-Enfield rifle oil bottle, (SF 76) and an Elsan toilet
seat (SF 100), being recovered. The Elsan toilet seat may be linked to the RAF, as this
type of toilet were installed in all four-engine bombers in service with the RAF.
10
6. Conclusion Dump Site 1 is likely to have been used as a landfill area for material disposed of by
military personnel occupying the airbase in WW2. Pottery, cutlery and other domestic
refuse from the RAF base has been recovered that can be directly attributed to WW2.
Dump Site 2, is located very close to the edge of the former airfield and c.4km to the
southwest of Dump Site 1. The finds material recovered from this area was present in
lower concentrations than Dump Site 1 and proved more difficult to link with the RAF.
However, the recovery of a WW2 era Lee-Enfield oil bottle and Elsan toilet seat, may
indicate that Dump Site 2 was also used as a rubbish tip for the RAF during the war.
The spoon belonging to WO Gilbert Dawe, (SF 99) was returned to his sons by the
production company.
7. Archive deposition The paper and digital archive will be kept at the SACIC office in Needham Market,
before deposition in the Cambridge Historic Environment Record.
8. Acknowledgements Test pitting and metal detector fieldwork was directed by Tim Schofield and Mark
Sommers, the team of detectorists was led by Stephen Taylor and comprised Richard
Jordan, Elaine Jordan, Martin Dewick, David Bullock and Matthew Sabourn. Project
management was undertaken by Rhodri Gardner.
11
9. Bibliography Brown, N., and Glazebrook, J, (eds), 2000, Research and Archaeology: A Framework
for the Eastern Counties, 2. Research Agenda and Strategy. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No. 8.
Historic England, 2015, Management of Research in the Historic Environment (MoRPHE).
Gurney, D., 2003, Standards for Field Archaeology in the East of England. East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No 14.
Medlycott, M. (Ed)., 2011, Research and Archaeology Revisited: A revised framework for the East of England. EAA Occasional Paper 24.
Websites British Geological Survey, 2018, http://mapapps.bgs.ac.uk/geologyofbritain/home.html
12
Figure 2. Duxford, Dump Site 1 – Test Pit 1
13
14
Figure 3. Duxford, Dump Site 2 – Test Pit 2 and metal detector findspots
15
S.1
S.1
S.1
S1
1000
1000
Heights mAODContains OS data © Crown Copyright and database rights 2018
All rights reserved. Licence Number: 100019980
Plan & Section 1:40 @ A4
2m0
Dump Site 1
Dump Site 2
16
Figure 4. Plans and Sections, Dump Sites 1 and 2
SW33.06
NE
NE33.54
SW
Appendix 1. Finds from Duxford Small finds No.
Material Find Spot No.
Find Spot Description NGR
1 DU2 001 Misc. item 544739, 245073 2 DU2 002 Enamel plate and ?clock mechanism 544736, 245071 3 DU2 003 ?clock mechanism 544728, 245058 4 DU2 004 Enamel bowl 544730, 245057 5 DU2 005 Stirrup pump footrest 544726, 245065 6 DU2 006 Cast iron ?stove cover and small electrical coil 544735, 245061 7 DU2 007 Copper sheathed copper cable 544717, 245082 8 DU2 008 Two flanged discs, one with holes, and an ?electrical component 544743, 245080 9 DU2 009 Enamel bowl 544743, 245084 10 DU2 010 Bicycle bell and perforated disc 544743, 245092 11 DU2 011 Misc. - ?bronze housing enclosing a ?roller 544744, 245091 12 DU2 012 Enamel dish 544739, 245055 13 DU2 013 Tea ration tin 544725, 245070 14 DU2 014 Copper Alloy Coin. Penny 544726, 245069 15 Leather DU1
Topsoil Fragment 548335, 247097
16 Copper Alloy & Asbestos
DU1 Topsoil
Fitting. Asbestos sandwiched between two layers of copper alloy (Merlin engine exhaust gaskets)
548335, 247097
17 Alloy DU1 Topsoil
Baking trays (x2) 548335, 247097
18 Iron DU1 Topsoil
Iron padlocks (x2) 548335, 247097
19 Copper Alloy DU1 Topsoil
Webbing buckle 548335, 247097
20 Plastic DU1 Topsoil
Container ‘Ever Ready’ Safety razor 548335, 247097
21 Iron, Alloy DU1 Topsoil
Misc. machine parts 548335, 247097
Small finds No.
Material Find Spot No.
Find Spot Description NGR
22 Metal DU1 Topsoil
Harmonica reed 548335, 247097
23 Alloy DU1 Topsoil
Cartridge cases (x2) .303. Headstamp illegible 548335, 247097
24 Alloy DU1 Topsoil
Flare Cartridges 548335, 247097
25 Alloy DU1 Topsoil
Razor and razor cap 548335, 247097
26 Iron DU1 Topsoil
Shears 548335, 247097
27 Plastic DU1 Topsoil
Darts trophy ‘DARTS R/UP 1992 J. OUTLAW 548335, 247097
28 Alloy DU1 Topsoil
Sheets (x6) One bears inscription ‘V.W.3 SEX 33 B – 5 CONTRACT N2 708965 26 CTTS CAN NO [XX]
548335, 247097
29 Alloy DU1 Topsoil
Canister ‘AMS MADE IN ENGLAND’ 548335, 247097
30 Alloy DU1 Topsoil
Lighter Fluid canister. ‘SILVER MATCH STANDARD SIZE AUTOFILL REFILL LIGHTER ONLY WHEN UNABLE TO GET FLAME… TO FILL REMOVE FUEL CAP SCREW AUTOFILL DOWNWARDS TO FULLEST EXTENT RETAIN IN THE POSITION DURING THE ENTIRE FILLING OPERATION. HOLD AUTOFILL ONLY IN THE PALM OF THE HAND FOR 2-3 MINUTES TO ENSURE IT IS WARMER THAN THE LIGHTER THEN REMOVE AND REPLACE CAP. MADE IN ENGLAND’
548335, 247097
31 Alloy/plastic DU1 Topsoil
Shaving cream tubes (x2). ‘Brushless Shaving Cream’ and ‘Shavex’ Both have instructions printed but are difficult to read
548335, 247097
32 Alloy DU1 Topsoil
Containers (x6). 4 with either no or illegible inscription. 1 ‘100 Saccharin tablets, full strength BOOTS’. 1 ‘THE NEW ALUMINIUM CONTAINER EASY OPEN, ALWAYS KIPPERED HERRING A DELICACY, SERVE HOT PACKED IN NORWAY WHEN FRIED, TO HEAT PLACE CONTAINER IN BOILING WATER FOR 5 MINUTES’
548335, 247097
33 Ceramic DU1 Topsoil
Cups (x2) and Mug 548335, 247097
34 Ceramic DU1 Topsoil
Containers (x4), 3 with lids 548335, 247097
Small finds No.
Material Find Spot No.
Find Spot Description NGR
35 Ceramic DU1 Topsoil
Plates and terrine tops 548335, 247097
36 Glass DU1 Topsoil
Glass containers x 4. 2 blank, 1 “Cambridge Lemonade”, 1 “OXO” 548335, 247097
37 Glass DU1 Topsoil
Glass containers x 5. Small perfume/medicine bottles 548335, 247097
38 Glass DU1 Topsoil
Marmite jar, Kruschen jar 548335, 247097
39 Glass DU1 Topsoil
Tall rectangular bottles. ‘O.K’, ‘Keybells Derby’, ‘California fig syrup’ 548335, 247097
40 Glass DU1 Topsoil
½ of eye glasses 548335, 247097
41 Glass DU1 Topsoil
Containers x 3. 2 Brylcream, 1 glass container with stopper 548335, 247097
42 Glass DU1 Topsoil
Large glass bottle, “Crampton’s Ltd Newmarket” 548335, 247097
43 Glass DU1 TP1 Small glass containers x 7. Includes 1 Brylcream, 2 PECKS, 1 Shippams 548332, 247105 44 Glass DU1 TP1 Glass bottles x 3. “Chivers & Sons Ltd”, “Amami Wave Set”, “Honey and almond
cream” 548332, 247105
45 Glass DU1 TP1 Large glass bottles x 5. 2 Brylcream, 2 Fig Syrup (California), 1 “Scott’s emulsion” 548332, 247105 46 Glass DU1 TP1 Certo bottle, misshapen, “Pour ½ bottle to here” 548332, 247105 47 Iron DU1 TP1 Cast Iron Clothes Iron 548332, 247105 48 Glass DU1 TP1 Small glass bottles x 2. Perfume jars? 548332, 247105 49 Tin alloy DU1 TP1 Tin tops x 4. 3 “Gill’s dentifuse”, 1 “Product Food” 548332, 247105 50 Ceramic DU1 TP1 2 lids, both “Pan” “Yan” 548332, 247105 51 Glass/rubber DU1 TP1 Glass container, writing on base illegible, with rubber lid “Bensk’n’s Watford” 548332, 247105 52 Glass DU1 TP1 Glass tube 548332, 247105 53 Copper & Asbestos DU1 TP1 Merlin engine exhaust gaskets 548332, 247105 54 DU1 TP1 Misc. 548332, 247105 55 Glass DU1 TP1 Water’s CO trademark with dog, Sawston aerated bottle, complete with marble
inside 548332, 247105
Small finds No.
Material Find Spot No.
Find Spot Description NGR
56 Glass DU1 TP1 Glass containers x 4, 2 4oz Bovril, 2 Marmite 548332, 247105 57 Ceramic DU1 TP1 Complete N.A.A.F.I cup 548332, 247105 58 Ceramic DU1 TP1 R.A.F cup sherds x 2, N.A.A.F.I cup sherd x 1 548332, 247105 59 Glass DU1 TP1 Holder, bottle and bottle with intact stopper 548332, 247105 60 Metal DU1 TP1 Belt buckle x 1, ?shoe buckle x 1 548332, 247105 61 Ceramic DU1 TP1 Clay tobacco pipe bowl 548332, 247105 62 Ceramic DU1 TP1 Ceramic holder with handle 548332, 247105 63 Ceramic DU1 TP1 R.A.F plate sherds x 8, N.A.A.F.I plate sherds x 2 548332, 247105 64 Metal DU1 TP1 1936 Penny 548332, 247105 65 Iron DU1 TP1 Padlock 548332, 247105
66 Iron DU1 TP1 Metal handle, pinned in? 548332, 247105
67 Copper Alloy DU1 TP1 Ash tray with images 548332, 247105 68 Alloy DU1 TP1 Single small cup with blue enamel 548332, 247105 69 Iron DU1 TP1 Lamp lighting, perhaps oil? 548332, 247105 80 Metal/plastic DU1 TP1 Bullet-shaped plastic casing 548332, 247105 71 Iron DU1 TP1 Misc. Iron ring 548332, 247105 72 Glass DU2 TP1 “Cambridge co-operative, society sterilised milk” 544738, 245076 73 Glass DU2 TP1 Glass containers x 3. 1 Pecks, 1 Shippam’s 544738, 245076 74 Ceramic DU2 TP1 Pot jar 544738, 245076 75 Copper alloy DU2 TP1 ?Pin with light blue decoration/weathering 544738, 245076 76 Plastic DU2 TP1 Lee-Enfield oil bottle. 544738, 245076 77 Alloy DU2 TP1 Door handles x 4, different sizes 544738, 245076 78 Alloy DU2 TP1 White original cups x 3, identical 544738, 245076 79 Aluminium DU2 TP1 Toothpaste/shaving cream tube 544738, 245076 80 Iron DU2 TP1 Iron caster/wheels, mechanism x 2 544738, 245076 81 Alloy DU2 TP1 Misc. metal pieces x 5 544738, 245076 82 Iron DU2 TP1 Belt buckle 544738, 245076 83 Alloy DU2 TP1 Pipe top, from a basin 544738, 245076 84 Alloy DU2 TP1 Cap for oil tank or top of engine pipe? 544738, 245076 85 Alloy DU2 TP1 Small cog for mechanism 544738, 245076
Small finds No.
Material Find Spot No.
Find Spot Description NGR
86 Alloy DU2 TP1 Metal pulley parts x 3 544738, 245076 87 Alloy DU2 TP1 Pullies from mechanism x 3 544738, 245076 88 Copper Alloy DU2 TP1 Flat shard 544738, 245076 89 Alloy DU2 TP1 Object with screw fitting 544738, 245076 90 Leather DU2 TP1 Small round strap 544738, 245076 91 Iron DU2 TP1 Large lock, re-enforced 544738, 245076 92 Glass DU1 TP1 Small light bulbs x 2 548332, 247105 93 Alloy DU1 TP1 .303 cartridge case 548332, 247105 94 Slag DU1 TP1 Slag 548332, 247105 95 Alloy DU1 TP1 RAF Belt buckles x 5 548332, 247105 96 Iron DU1 TP1 Knife and handle 548332, 247105 97 Iron DU1 TP1 Padlocks x 2 548332, 247105 98 Aluminium DU1 TP1 Plane part 548332, 247105 99 Iron, Alloy DU1 TP1 Broken spoon heads x 3, complete spoons x 6, all NAAFI except one which was
stamped with a six-digit number 564602 – owned by WO Gilbert Dawe. 548332, 247105
100 DU2 TP1 ‘Elsan’ toilet seat 544738, 245076 101 Alloy DU1
Topsoil Pocket watch, unmarked, 3D scanned. 548335, 247097
Appendix 2. OASIS form
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Printable version
OASIS ID: suffolka1-323354
Project details
Project name Duxford Airfield, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, Magnetometer Scanning, Metal DetectorSurvey and Test Pit Report
Short descriptionof the project
On the 18th and 19th June 2017, Suffolk Archaeology Community Interest Company(SACIC) undertook a magnetometer scanning survey, metal detector survey and testpitting exercise on two separate suspected rubbish dump sites near Duxford Airfield,Duxford, Cambridgeshire. The aim of the project was to prospect, record and recoverfinds relating to the WW2 airfield used by both the RAF and USAAF. Dump Site 1 waslocated to the east of the airfield, Dump Site 2 was situated on private land at the end ofthe runway to the west. Magnetometer scanning help to define the extent of the dump pitsand the test pitting exercise determined the depth of deposits. The metal detector surveywas undertaken over the entire extent of the two areas and returned some WW2 findsrelating to the RAF.
Project dates Start: 18-06-2017 End: 19-06-2017
Previous/futurework
No / No
Type of project Research project
Site status None
Current Land use Vacant Land 3 - Despoiled land (contaminated derelict and ?brownfield? sites)
Current Land use Other 5 - Garden
Monument type WW2 RUBBISH DUMP Modern
Monument type WW2 RUBBISH DUMP Modern
Significant Finds POCKET WATCH Modern
Significant Finds SPOONS Modern
Significant Finds POTTERY Modern
Significant Finds IRONS Modern
Significant Finds BELT BUCKLES Modern
Significant Finds MERLIN ENGINE GASKETS Modern
Significant Finds LEE-ENFIELD RIFLE OIL BOTTLE Modern
Significant Finds ELSAN TOILET SEAT Modern
Project location
Country England
Site location CAMBRIDGESHIRE SOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE DUXFORD Duxford Airfield, Duxford,Cambridgeshire
Study area 0.5 Hectares
Site coordinates TL 4830 4710 52.101888244188 0.165471221095 52 06 06 N 000 09 55 E Point
Site coordinates TL 4470 4510 52.084873281282 0.11209409229 52 05 05 N 000 06 43 E Point
Height OD / Depth Min: 29m Max: 36m
Project creators
Name ofOrganisation
Suffolk Archaeology CIC
Project brieforiginator
Not applicable - not under planning jurisdiction
Project designoriginator
Mark Sommers and Stephen Taylor
Projectdirector/manager
Rhodri Gardner
Project supervisor Timothy Schofield
Project supervisor Mark Sommers
Type ofsponsor/fundingbody
Client
Name ofsponsor/fundingbody
Emporium Productions
Project archives
Paper Archiverecipient
Cambridgeshire HER
Paper Mediaavailable
''Unpublished Text''
Projectbibliography 1
Publication typeGrey literature (unpublished document/manuscript)
Title 'World War 2 Treasure Hunters' TV Series Duxford Airfield Duxford, Cambridgeshire
Author(s)/Editor(s) Schofield, T. P.
Author(s)/Editor(s) Sommers, M.
Author(s)/Editor(s) Taylor, S.
Otherbibliographicdetails
2017/117
Date 2018
Issuer orpublisher
Suffolk Archaeology CIC
Place of issue orpublication
Needham Market
Description A4 bound report with A4 figures.
URL http://www.suffolkarchaeology.co.uk
Entered by Tim Schofield ([email protected])
Entered on 24 July 2018
Suffolk Archaeology CIC Unit 5 | Plot 11 | Maitland Road | Lion Barn Industrial Estate Needham Market | Suffolk | IP6 8NZ
[email protected] 01449 900120
www.suffolkarchaeology.co.uk
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