This isn't anything too exciting, but I can't find any posts bout this place so seemed worthwhile sticking a few pictures up.
History
This World War 2 camp was used from 1941 to 1945 by various units including Canadian Artillery prior deployment to Europe. It mostly consisted of barracks buildings which have slowly but surely collapsed into ruin. Few of these sites exist today as most were dismantled after demobilisation.
Its now owned by a pig farmer that uses it for storage. Only some of the buildings remain.
More history from The Derelict Miscellany
"According to contemporary accounts, the base was muddy, isolated and uncomfortable. One regimental history recorded that "other than the NAAFI, the place had little amusement to offer" and days were filled with battle-drill, command-post and signal exercises, and seemingly interminable lectures on gunnery and gas. The thousands of Canadians stationed here and elsewhere on the Downs became a familiar sight in local towns and villages, although not always a welcome one: according to one source, some of the men would go down to Dorking High Street, get drunk on whisky and start fights until they were rounded up and sent back to base again. Others, no doubt, found more wholesome diversions: competitive sports, cycling, trips to the pictures and community socials would all have offered welcome distractions from the stresses and banalities of Army life. The Canadians proved popular with many locals, especially children (who were apparently captivated by their strange accents and stories of far-away lands), and young women (a number of marriages and children resulted, though not always in that order).
Although the buildings still stand, of the men who briefly lived here and went off to fight perhaps never to return, there is little trace. There are no artifacts, no graffiti, no memorial but the silent algae-stained walls. "
The explore
Nice relaxed explore, nothing dramatic or exciting though. I was in the area and it seemed worth checking out.
Photos
History
This World War 2 camp was used from 1941 to 1945 by various units including Canadian Artillery prior deployment to Europe. It mostly consisted of barracks buildings which have slowly but surely collapsed into ruin. Few of these sites exist today as most were dismantled after demobilisation.
Its now owned by a pig farmer that uses it for storage. Only some of the buildings remain.
More history from The Derelict Miscellany
"According to contemporary accounts, the base was muddy, isolated and uncomfortable. One regimental history recorded that "other than the NAAFI, the place had little amusement to offer" and days were filled with battle-drill, command-post and signal exercises, and seemingly interminable lectures on gunnery and gas. The thousands of Canadians stationed here and elsewhere on the Downs became a familiar sight in local towns and villages, although not always a welcome one: according to one source, some of the men would go down to Dorking High Street, get drunk on whisky and start fights until they were rounded up and sent back to base again. Others, no doubt, found more wholesome diversions: competitive sports, cycling, trips to the pictures and community socials would all have offered welcome distractions from the stresses and banalities of Army life. The Canadians proved popular with many locals, especially children (who were apparently captivated by their strange accents and stories of far-away lands), and young women (a number of marriages and children resulted, though not always in that order).
Although the buildings still stand, of the men who briefly lived here and went off to fight perhaps never to return, there is little trace. There are no artifacts, no graffiti, no memorial but the silent algae-stained walls. "
The explore
Nice relaxed explore, nothing dramatic or exciting though. I was in the area and it seemed worth checking out.
Photos
