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Here’s a preview of five new self-guided walks we are developing along existing rights of way in and around the New Forest National Park.
With the help of volunteers, we analysed historic maps dating back to 1759 to research around 700 current rights of way, in 37 parishes. After selecting some of the oldest existing routes, around 260 walking surveys were conducted to help develop trails and whittle down the contenders.
Volunteers also researched historic documents to review what history could be found around these older rights of way. This work has led to these five new trail routes being suggested for their abundance of historic features and their connection to residential areas.
We would like people with memories of the areas to share their stories with us for possible inclusion in the trail information.
We are also working with Hampshire County Council’s access team and local volunteers to improve the rights of way. We have spoken to several landowners with included rights of way on their land, but there are still those we have not been able to get in touch with yet. If you’re one of these landowners, we would love to talk with you so please do get in touch.
Are you full of fascinating facts about the New Forest? Do you have family or friends who know everything there is to know about its history?
The New Forest National Park Authority is on the hunt for memories and stories surrounding five new historic trails.
The five trails have been selected from the Forest’s established rights of way for their abundance of historic features and connection to residential areas.
With the help of volunteers, the NPA analysed historic maps dating back to 1759 to research around 700 current rights of way, in 37 parishes. Some 260 walking surveys were conducted to whittle the contenders down.
Now the routes have been selected, the search is on for more facts, figures and colourful tales relating to their history.
Gareth Owen, NPA archaeologist, said: ‘I hope the five selected areas will have something for everyone, giving walkers a real insight into the mix of history we have here in the New Forest, as well as the opportunity to visit some lovely, hidden away, locations.
‘The volunteer researchers have, so far, only scratched the surface of what history dwells in these locations.’
The five trails are:
This trail starts at Fordingbridge cemetery and passes the site of a Bronze Age cemetery before continuing to Stuckton. Stuckton was a hub for smugglers in the late 18th Century and part of this trail is likely to have been used to smuggle contraband from Christchurch Bay to Fordingbridge. On this trail is Stuckton Iron Works, which was built in 1790 and was operational until the foundry closed in 1908.
A contender for the oldest tree in the New Forest, the Moyles Court Oak can be seen on this trail, which goes around Rockford Common. The route is steeped in history with evidence of over 4,000 years of land use and farming. A big impact on this area was made by the construction of RAF Ibsley during WW2. The common was used for military manoeuvres with slit trenches and gun emplacements.
This trail starts on one of our oldest routes – traced back to 1759 but probably much older – with several landmarks along the way. Hanger Farm, now an arts centre, was a working farm and settlement in Saxon times and is mentioned in the Doomsday book. The route continues along the old road to Hazel Farm and on to Netley Marsh parish, said to be the location of a battle that took place when Saxons invaded via Southampton waters. Today, the remains of an Iron Age hillfort survive as a series of earthworks on a prominent clay hill.
This route takes in St John The Apostle Church, the distinctive Marchwood CE Infant School and the site of the parsonage built for the first vicar of Marchwood, Thomas Martelli. All three projects were funded by Horatio Francis Kingsford Holloway, who bought the 500-acre Marchwood Lodge estate in 1834. The estate’s history includes use as a factory in WW2, a preparatory school and a pony trekking centre, until it was purchased by the Priory Hospital Group in 1987. Another point of interest is Birchlands Farm, which was owned by the Bishops of Winchester until at least the early 1900s and is still a working farm.
This trail passes Exbury, The Cadland Estate and on to Fawley. It covers areas used extensively during WW2 and for D-Day preparations. There are several remains of WW2 military installations throughout. There are also sites of old farmsteads, a Roman road, brickworks, mills and gravel pits, as well as ancient woodlands and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The paths are thought to have been used for a variety of activities, including smuggling.
The rich and varied history of these routes can be found online at the New Forest National Park website: https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/things-to-do/walking/historic-routes
If you’d like to contribute your memories or stories, or help to promote and preserve the trails in the future, get in touch with Gareth Owen on 01590 646652 or Gareth.Owen@newforestnpa.gov.uk.
These trails have been identified by the Historic Routes and Past Pathways project, which is part of the National Lottery Heritage Funded Our Past, Our Future scheme.
January 2016 – Update
The Forestry Commission, New Forest National Park Authority and those who have looked after this memorial over the years are now working together to restore and maintain the site for the future. A new Facebook site (managed by Solent Heritage Project and Sarah Stewart) has been set up to help present our plans and gain your thoughts prior to submitting a grant application to fund the project. We would still love to hear from you with historical information about the site so please add your comments below or contact the Forestry Commission via email or phone: 03000 645001.
September 2015:
The WWII project team recently received a letter from High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom regarding this Canadian memorial at Mogshade Hill. The New Forest National Park Authority working together with the High Commission of Canada and the Forestry Commission would like to explore opportunities to improve the interpretation of this site and ensure its maintenance for the foreseeable future.
We would like to make contact with those who have looked after this memorial over the years. If you have a personal interest in this site the FC would like to hear from you. Please contact the Forestry Commission Rangers by leaving a message at enquiries.southern@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or phoning the number: 03000 645001.
On the 14th April, 1944 the Rev. R. Keith Perdue of the Canadian Chaplain’s Service serving with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, looking for a suitable site on which to hold Church Services for his men, chose for that purpose the site at Mogshade Hill with its beautiful vista of Highland Water Inclosure and the distant hills.
He found two pine logs with the bark on, bolted them together in the form of a Cross and erected it by the side of the Inclosure fence. In front of the Cross he placed a flag-covered altar and the men stood facing down the slope towards the altar and the Cross, and as the ground fell sharply away behind the Cross it stood out sharply against the skyline.
The site was used for Church Services from 14th April, 1944 until the men left for the Normandy invasion.
In 1949 the Deputy Surveyor of the New Forest wrote to the Canadian High Commissioner in London, giving him the history of the Cross and informing him that as it was of unseasoned pine it was rapidly falling into decay and suggesting that it might be appropriate to perpetuate the memory of this incident by replacing the pine Cross with one hewn from New Forest oak and placing at its foot a simple inscription carved on oak.
The High Commissioner communicated with Rev. Keith Perdue who suggested that the inscription should read:
“On April 14th, 1944 a Cross was erected on this site to the Glory of God, by men of the 3rd Canadian Division, R.C.A.S.C.”.
The original Cross was replaced with one in New Forest oak made to the same dimensions and held together with the original bolt, but the commemorative plaque was not erected.
In 1960 the Director of Forestry for England suggested that the rather flimsy construction of the Cross was not really worthy of the occasion and that it should be replaced by a more solid and permanent memorial with a commemorative plaque.
A sturdy Cross constructed of the New Forest oak has now been erected on the site of the original Cross and a plaque bearing the following inscription has been placed at the foot of the Cross:
“On this site a Cross was erected to the Glory of God on 14th April, 1944 and services were held here until “D” day, 6th June, 1944, by men of the 3rd Canadian Division, R.C.A.S.C”.
In 1969 the plaque having become weather worn over the years was removed, refurbished and replaced in a new concrete plinth by the Bournemouth Branch of an ex-serviceman’s association. At the same time the Forestry Commission renovated the fencing and levelled the area around the Cross.
“On this day, the 10th June, 1984, 40 years later, a Memorial Service is held on the site in remembrance of the 3rd Canadian Division, R.C.A.S.C. who gave their service in the freedom of tyranny during the Second World War.”
This article focuses on HM LCT 574. These photographs were donated to the project by the Exbury Veterans Association. To see other images and documents from the Veterans Association visit the Exbury Gardens article.
On the back on the photograph titled “Hm LCT 574: Almost finished unloading Canadian Troops at Mike Red on Juno Beach @ 15.00. 6 June 1944” is written:
“Only a few vehicles to discharge. Beach obstacles visible. Sand dunes on horizon. Tide receding left us high and dry until the next tide. Bombed by fighter bomber during day. One killed, two wounded.”
An article added to the archive by Alison Trerotoli names one KIA as:
Kenneth Roy Johnson
Leading Motor Mechanic C/MX 506841.
Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, England.
Born in the Summer of 1924, the son of Alfred and Ethel Johnson of Chelveston Road, Raunds, Northamptonshire.
Lost aged 19. A member of “J” Force who landed on “Juno” Beach on D-Day.
Following an oral history interview with Mr Ted Bentley, First Lieutenant on HM LCT 629, he permitted a number of documents he holds to be scanned and added to the archive. These included three pages of HM LCT 574 Log Book. It is possible that Kenneth Roy Johnson was one of the two men sent to the field hospital on shore, and later died, after the attack at 17.45 by the FW190 resulting in the seven casualties on 574. As it is likely that if he had been killed on board it would have been recorded in the log.
You can find out more about the New Forest’s vital role in D-Day from Mulberry Harbour, to holding camps, road widening, advanced landing grounds, PLUTO and Embarkation by visiting our main page on D-Day in the New Forest.
Below in the transcribed section for the 6th of June.
HM LCT 574 6th June 1944
03.00 Sea still very rough and hard going. Everyone feeling OK so far.
06.00 No signs of sea abating. Wind force 4-5. Soldiers taking it well.
06.30 Just sight of French coast far in distance. Sea still rough. Wind force 3-4. Sky overcast.
07.00 Army preparing for shoot. All very anxious to let go. 9,000
07.15 Guns open fire 9000 yards away. Fall of shot very good. Sea still rough & choppy. Wind 3-4, Sky overcast.
07.30 Fire started on Sherman tank through gun flashes. Extinguished by gun crew.
07.50 2000yds off beach. Guns ceased firing. Very good shooting. R.C.A. officers very pleased.
07.55 Made hurried retreat from 1500yds owing to an L.C.T(R) firing short. Fired missiles dropping all around. 1 Mustang is shot down.
08.30 Arrived at W.P. “WW” and anchored. First division go in to beach.
09.00 Still anchored. Beaches are blocked. Sea rough – wind 3 4. Sky clouds overcast and high.
11.00 Still anchored
13.10 Ordered to beach on Mike Red.
13.30 Halftrack sticks on door cease unloading. Craft hard on beach owing to vehicle sticking off doors. Unable to kedge off. 1’ fairing 10 minutes
14.30 Sent party to help bring killed and casualties from 717.
15.00 Securing position, decide to have guns closed up remainder of crew stand easy. Intermittent machine gun attacks from F.W.190’s.
16.15 Bomb dropped about 40yds away. No casualties and no damage.
17.45 Bomb dropped by F.W.190, about 1000 kilos, alongside port gun turret. Plane flying about 2500 to 2000 feet. Casualties 5 injured and 2 men sent to field hospital on shore. Of 717 men 1 killed 3 injured 1 seriously.
Damage control carried out very successfully. All wiring in craft gone. D.G. completely gone. Port magazine gone. Ships side ????? and cabin too. First aid applied to all casualties. Fire started in Engine room, cabin and Port locker. A second fire ????? out in Engine room. All completely extinguished. Both guns jammed. Engines both escaped damage but ????? damaged.
20.30 Tide at last a floated us. 629 towed us off beach.
20.40 ????? to be towed. Combined under own ????? power.
22.10 Air raid warning sounded. Wade anchor and steamed around anchorage.
24.10 Dropped hook in anchorage. Exact position not known.
Heavy air raids all night. Bombs falling in anchorage and also mines. A very heavy barrage is being put up. Beaches are catching it and an ammunition dump is afire.
If you have any more details, or find an error in the transcription please get in touch or add a comment.
The original article HM LCT 629 and Crew was seen by Mr Bentley the last living crew members of HM LCT 629.
Mr Edward Bentley (Ted) agreed to be interviewed as part of the oral history element of the project. Ted was the First Lieutenant onHM LCT 629 and in addition to his interview he has permitted a number of documents he holds to be scanned and added to the archive. These included three pages of HM LCT 574 Log Book, six pages of HM LCT 629 log Book and documents relating to Operation NEPTUNE.
LOG BOOK – LCT 629
More of Mr Bentley’s collection will be add as the interview is processed.
HM LCT 629 can bee seen on the right in photo titled “HM LCT 574: Almost finished unloading Canadian Troops at Mike Red on Juno Beach @ 15.00. 6 June 1944”.
If you have more details please add a comment and/or get in touch.
You can find out more about the New Forest’s vital role in D-Day from Mulberry Harbour, to holding camps, road widening, advanced landing grounds, PLUTO and Embarkation by visiting our main page on D-Day in the New Forest.
9th (Forest) Battalion HG Hampshire Regt: Part of the Crofoton Collection
This ledger (one of four) contains details about the manning and locations of troops within the 9th (Forest) Battalion HG. It also has details of equipment e.g. rifles, BMG, Northover Projector, Spigot Mortar and so on (inc. Ammunition counts). There are 133 pages.
It is divided in to Companies (Coy) A, B, C, D and E. And Platoons (Plt).
If you with to make use of any of these images please use the following credit line: © NFNPA. Crofton. www.nfknowledge.org
Follow the link below to see the other items in the Crofton collection.
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Battalion Orders 28th (Bay) HG: Part of the Crofoton Collection
These are the papers found in one of four ledgers belonging to the Crofton collection. They cover from 1942 to 1944. There are 139 pages.
If you with to make use of any of these images please use the following credit line: © NFNPA. Crofton. www.nfknowledge.org
Follow the link below to see the other items in the Crofton collection.
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A large collection of military orders, letters, defence plans and hand drawn maps relating to the New Forest’s Home Guard, lovingly created and kept in a huge elegant scrap book and ledgers by Major Crofton’s father, Sir Morgan Crofton. Major Crofton, Sir Morgan’s son, has kept this collection as part of their family archive.
Sir Morgan Crofton was 2nd Commander of the 9th Forest Battalion. Later a branch was formed in Christchurch which covered the south west area of the Forest, the 28th Christchurch Bay Battalion, Sir Morgan Crofton was Commander of this Battalion. The documents relate to the Home Guard and includes detailed maps drawn by Sir Morgan and original documents.
One of the many hand drawn maps by Sir Morgan, shows the Brockenhurst Platoon Defence Scheme dated 1943. This map shows the positions of HQ’s (company and platoon level headquarters), tank traps and other military buildings or posts. Is it a unique collection of documentation that probably should have been destroyed once it was read. We are very thankful to Major Crofton for allowing us to view and show his father’s collection.
Can you help? To help the search tool for this site find terms in these pages we need them to be transcribed. If you can help, please do get in touch.
All material is © NFNPA. Crofton
Follow the links below to see the other items in the Crofton collection.
A number of photographs have been offered by St Barbe Museum showing the Home Guard and these have been link to this article.
Local historian John Pidgeon has also made some Home Guard papers available
Crofton Additional Book: Part of the Crofton Collection
These are the pages and documents found in Collection’s Additional book. There are a total of 28 images.
It contains a range of documents including such things as:
If you with to make use of any of these images please use the following credit line: © NFNPA. Crofton. www.nfknowledge.org
Follow the link below to see the other items in the Crofton collection.
Can you help?
To help the search tool for this site find terms in these pages we need them to be transcribed. If you can help, please login and help us transcribe pages from this amazing collection.
To do this:
Each time a page is transcribed it makes the text searchable. Thank you for your help.