First World War practice trenches :: Shared Description

Extensive First World War practice trenches survive as earthworks on the heather moorland between Rothbury and Cartington. The trenches comprise isolated and more complex systems of zigzag (of both angled and box form) trenches which represent front-line fire and support trenches with connecting communication trenches between. Shallow parapets are also visible as are a number of dugouts and saps.

The practice trenches were probably originally constructed by the 18th (Service) Battalion (1st Tyneside Pioneers) Northumberland Fusiliers in the winter of 1915-1916.

The system was surveyed and part excavated in 2007 and 2008 by the Coquetdale Community Archaeology Group. The excavations revealed the trenches to have been constructed with corrugated iron revetting, drains and fire-steps. A number of phases were identified suggesting that the trenches were reused on a number of occasions, perhaps by subsequent troops later in the war. Elements may have also been reused during the Second World War. The lack of relics or military remains suggested that the trenches were dug as exercises in construction, rather than being occupied for lengthy periods or used for practice combat.

About 0.5km to the south of the trenches are the remains of a late 19th century firing range NU0502 : View south from felled woodland near path to Cartington. The range target is marked on the 1897 and 1922 Ordnance Survey maps suggesting that it remained in use during the war.

Pastscape: LinkExternal link Archive LinkExternal link
Northumbrian Gunner: LinkExternal link Archive LinkExternal link
The Western Front Association: LinkExternal link Archive LinkExternal link
BBC: LinkExternal link
BBC Guide: LinkExternal link
Northumberland National Park: LinkExternal link
English Heritage Conservation Bulletin: LinkExternal link
Digging the trenches - a photo by johndal: LinkExternal link
by Andrew Curtis

14 images use this description:

NU0403 : First World War practice trenches above Cartington by Andrew Curtis
NU0403 : View of First War War practice trenches from 'no man's land', Rothbury Common by Andrew Curtis
NU0403 : First World War practice trenches above Cartington by Andrew Curtis
NU0403 : Dug-out & First World War practice trenches above Cartington by Andrew Curtis
NU0403 : First World War practice trenches above Cartington by Andrew Curtis
NU0403 : First World War practice trenches above Cartington by Andrew Curtis
NU0403 : Extensive system of First World War practice trenches, Rothbury Common by Andrew Curtis
NU0403 : Flooded First World War practice trench system above Cartington by Andrew Curtis
NU0403 : First World War practice trenches above Cartington by Andrew Curtis
NU0403 : First World War practice trenches above Cartington by Andrew Curtis
NU0403 : First World War practice trenches above Cartington by Andrew Curtis
NU0403 : First World War practice trenches, Rothbury Common by Andrew Curtis
NU0403 : First World War practice trenches & hollow-ways above Cartington by Andrew Curtis
NU0402 : Disused rifle range above Rothbury by Andrew Curtis


These Shared Descriptions are common to multiple images. For example, you can create a generic description for an object shown in a photo, and reuse the description on all photos of the object. All descriptions are public and shared between contributors, i.e. you can reuse a description created by others, just as they can use yours.
Created: Sat, 8 Feb 2014, Updated: Fri, 26 Jun 2020

The 'Shared Description' text on this page is Copyright 2014 Andrew Curtis, however it is specifically licensed so that contributors can reuse it on their own images without restriction.

You are not logged in login | register