Nuns Moor Park, Prisoner of War Camp

Nuns Moor Park, Prisoner of War Camp

HER Number
5891
District
Newcastle
Site Name
Nuns Moor Park, Prisoner of War Camp
Place
Newcastle
Map Sheet
NZ26NW
Class
Defence
Site Type: Broad
Military Camp
Site Type: Specific
Prisoner of War Camp
General Period
20TH CENTURY
Specific Period
Second World War 1939 to 1945
Form of Evidence
Documentary Evidence
Description
Situated on the green to the north of Studley Terrace, occupying the eastern half of Nunsmoor Park. It consisted of a number of parallel accomodation blocks and other large buildings. Can be seen on 1947 aerial photographs. The occupants were Italian prisoners of war. The camp had a low level of security. Prisoners were let out to do work around the town such as road sweeping and postal delivery. The camp seems to have been defended by several trenches to the west. These are still visible as low earthwork ditches or parchmarks, and are visible on 1947 aerial photographs. All exhibit the same configuration of short angled lengths in a zig-zag (similar patterns can be seen in practice trenches on the Salisbury Plain training area and elsewhere). The camp was demolished in 1959.
Easting
423400
Northing
565100
Grid Reference
NZ423400565100
Sources
<< HER 5891 >> RCHME, 1995, Town Moor, Newcastle upon Tyne, Archaeological Survey Report, p 39
Aerial Photograph, NMR, 1947, CPE/UK/1193/726
Aerial Photograph, NMR, 1958, 58/RAF/2685/01361
Aerial Photograph, NMR, 1946, CPE/UK/2352/Lib. No. 726; English Heritage, 2008, Hadrian's Wall National Mapping Programme, 1029869; Aerial Photograph RAF/3G/TUD/UK/147 5459 15-APR-1946