Local MP Caroline Dinenage has celebrated the discovery of what appears to be a practice battlefield dating back to the First World War in Gosport.
Two opposing systems of trenches facing each other across a 'no man's land' have been unearthed at Browndown Common, and experts believe that they may have been used as a practice battlefield during World War One.
The discovery was made when Rob Harper, Head of Conservation and Design at Gosport Borough Council, uncovered a 1951 aerial photograph of the Alver Valley and noticed an unmistakeable plan of what appears to be a complex system of First World War trenches. Although documentary research is needed to confirm that this site does indeed date back to World War One, the existing physical evidence supports this notion.
The Gosport site is now being used by English Heritage and the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) to launch a national initiative aiming to uncover hidden First World War sites across the UK.
Caroline commented:
"If confirmed through research, this remarkable discovery will further entrench the hugely important role that Gosport played in supporting Britain's Armed Forces throughout World War One. I have always been proud of Gosport's historic ties to the military and it is hugely exciting to hear that our area has inspired the launch of a nationwide hunt for First World War sites."
English Heritage and the CBA are now looking for volunteer input; to access the online recording toolkit, guidance and resources for use in the field, visit: www.homefrontlegacy.org.uk.
