Yardley Solihull or Stechford WW2 military camps.

[Jamie allen]

I’m trying to find ww2 military camps around yardley Solihull stechford and places not to far. I would be very grateful for any information as in looking for new permissions to metal detect for me and my son . Babbs mill as been good but the off road bikes are to dangerous, for my son that panics as he is autistic and is putting him of the hobby he loves. Thanks Jamie

 

[mikejee]

If you would consider the area a bit to the east of that, then you should try and get hold of the book "The Defence of Worcestershire" by Mick Wilks, which is about defences developed for the defence of Birmingham in the event of an invasion

 

[Jamie allen]

Sorry about that mikejee I tried to post a message but went through blank, I will definitely look into that book , thank you very much Jamie

 

[Radiorails]

Most military places are now under new ownership and have been built upon. However, there are some relics such as pill boxes - mentioned here in the canal threads - and I suspect some areas farm land once had gun emplacements and searchlight batteries on them. Permission would be needed I am sure.

 

[Jamie allen]

Most military places are now under new ownership and have been built upon. However, there are some relics such as pill boxes - mentioned here in the canal threads - and I suspect some areas farm land once had gun emplacements and searchlight batteries on them. Permission would be needed I am sure.

I always ask permission befor I detect anywhere, I’ve got different ways of sorting this matter out but out of respect I would never trespass or break the law ,

Most military places are now under new ownership and have been built upon. However, there are some relics such as pill boxes - mentioned here in the canal threads - and I suspect some areas farm land once had gun emplacements and searchlight batteries on them. Permission would be needed I am sure.

I

Most military places are now under new ownership and have been built upon. However, there are some relics such as pill boxes - mentioned here in the canal threads - and I suspect some areas farm land once had gun emplacements and searchlight batteries on them. Permission would be needed I am sure.

Most military places are now under new ownership and have been built upon. However, there are some relics such as pill boxes - mentioned here in the canal threads - and I suspect some areas farm land once had gun emplacements and searchlight batteries on them. Permission would be needed I am sure.

That’s why I always ask for p

Most military places are now under new ownership and have been built upon. However, there are some relics such as pill boxes - mentioned here in the canal threads - and I suspect some areas farm land once had gun emplacements and searchlight batteries on them. Permission would be needed I am sure.

 

[mikejee]

With regard to AA sites, from the book I previously mentioned and also from the same book bombing decoy sites which had an infrastructure:

 

[Radiorails]

That's an interesting map Mike. We often overlook the part subterfuge played during WW2 just focussing on the well documented parts.

 

[devonjim]

https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/cockshut-hill-school.9889/page-5#post-589142
There's talk in this post of an army camp that falls in your area.

 

[Dave89]

Hi Jamie,

The park at the end of Denton Grove off Bordesley Green East certainly had some
sort of wartime military installation, possibly anti Aircraft?, judging from bits and pieces
I found there back in the 1970S.

Kind regards
Dave

 

[Jamie allen]

Just got back from a day of metal detecting at the old moat at Yorkswood forest kingshurst. Me and my son found some old pull tabs but some items of interest any information with what we found would be more then welcome. As we are new to this hobby and love our history many thanks. Jamie

 

[Jamie allen]

Just waiting on permission for the ww2 spots you gave me , I will keep you all informed when I get the go ahead. And post all my finds. Many thanks Jamie

 

[Jamie allen]

Can remember about being told about this crash site as a child from my Nan on the bottom photo on the best day of her life getting married to my grandfather

 

[Astoness]

some nice finds jamie..hopefully some of our members can shed light on what they are...

lyn

 

[Elmdon Boy]

Jamie the crashed aircraft is a Heinklel 111 bomber. Where is the photo taken.
One did crash in Earlswood returning after bombing Brum in Shutt Lane not from the Bulls Head.
I believe they still have some remains of it in their village museum.

 

[maypolebaz]

Just got back from a day of metal detecting at the old moat at Yorkswood forest kingshurst. Me and my son found some old pull tabs but some items of interest any information with what we found would be more then welcome. As we are new to this hobby and love our history many thanks. Jamie

The item in the last photo, (the one being held), looks very like a badly corroded round of ammunition to to me, possibly 20mm. It doesn't look like it has been fired either !

 

[Jamie allen]

Jamie the crashed aircraft is a Heinklel 111 bomber. Where is the photo taken.
One did crash in Earlswood returning after bombing Brum in Shutt Lane not from the Bulls Head.
I believe they still have some remains of it in their village museum.

Yes it is the one that crashed in earlswood, all the ladies chased the one. Survivor to get hold of his silk parachute to make knickers lol it was on the antique road show about a part of the parachute for sale, read up on it . Many thanks Jamie

 

[oldbrit]

I’m trying to find ww2 military camps around yardley Solihull stechford and places not to far. I would be very grateful for any information as in looking for new permissions to metal detect for me and my son . Babbs mill as been good but the off road bikes are to dangerous, for my son that panics as he is autistic and is putting him of the hobby he loves. Thanks Jamie

I know there was one in Fillongley near Meridan I visited there on my bike many times Very friendly Yanks

 

[Jamie allen]

I know there was one in Fillongley near Meridan I visited there on my bike many times Very friendly Yanks

Thank you for you reply oldbrit. Do you know where in fillongley as I’ve been told about the this site befor but told it was in marston green for the yanks air base. Many thanks and merry Christmas Jamie

 

[oldbrit]

I use to ride my bike there, Cov Rd to the Fillongley sign, left turn then down the lane. Lots of Yanks there.

 

[aggie2347]

The yanks were at Packington Park there is a tree there with lots of their names cut in the bark. Their watering hole was the clock at Bickenhill. My son with a metal detector unearthed live rounds and other junk they left behind 30 years ago.

 

[Jamie allen]

Just got back home with my son,from a day out visiting a home guard pill box by Birmingham airport, cannot believe how everything is still inside,down to furniture and storage containers.There were four rooms in the pill box due to bad lighting I couldn’t see exactly what was inside so I intend to visit again very soon, but there was one room stacked with approximately thirty of these lead like crates, any information on these crates would be very grateful,as I cannot find any information on the internet what’s so ever. Many thanks Jamie

 

[Jamie allen]

The yanks were at Packington Park there is a tree there with lots of their names cut in the bark. Their watering hole was the clock at Bickenhill. My son with a metal detector unearthed live rounds and other junk they left behind 30 years ago.

Thank you so much for that information Aggie2347 do you know if it’s still a park or as packington changed to something different I’m struggling to find it only packington hall I’m finding and it’s a maner with deer and trout fishing on there site. Do you think that’s the same place would love to visit that tree and see if I could use my metal detector. Many thanks Jamie

 

[pjmburns]

Those metal crates marked BCS look to me like Birmingham Co-op Society metal milk crates - sorry if that disappoints you.

 

[Radiorails]

Those metal crates marked BCS look to me like Birmingham Co-op Society metal milk crates - sorry if that disappoints you.

I agree, they are milk crates. At least the occupants got some divi, Janice.

 

[Vivienne14]

This may/may not be one of the named camps. Maybe someone can pinpoint a location ? Viv.

 

[Radiorails]

At least the article says somewhere in the Birmingham area. It was quite often simply 'somewhere in England'!

 

[maypolebaz]

Just got back home with my son,from a day out visiting a home guard pill box by Birmingham airport, cannot believe how everything is still inside,down to furniture and storage containers.There were four rooms in the pill box due to bad lighting I couldn’t see exactly what was inside so I intend to visit again very soon, but there was one room stacked with approximately thirty of these lead like crates, any information on these crates would be very grateful,as I cannot find any information on the internet what’s so ever. Many thanks Jamie

People were inclined to dump unwanted stuff in these old wartime constructions, I recall !
Looking at the narrowness of the aperture in this one, there wouldn't have been much scope for defensive fire from it. It looks like it would've been used for observation.
Amazing that it's still standing, congratulations on finding it.

 

[Radiorails]

With additions the crates made good chairs and small tables. Stacked might achieve a desk. Definitely defensive as it it near a former military airfield I should say. Usually, observation posts were not so robustly constructed.

 

[aggie2347]

Thank you so much for that information Aggie2347 do you know if it’s still a park or as packington changed to something different I’m struggling to find it only packington hall I’m finding and it’s a maner with deer and trout fishing on there site. Do you think that’s the same place would love to visit that tree and see if I could use my metal detector. Many thanks Jamie

Find attached a map post code CV7 7PD it's 30 years since I have been there. The tree concerned is fronting the main road to the right of the drive in the barracks were still there and being used as a scout camp when I last saw them. But what it's like now I know not. As far as can ascertain the camp was used for a convalescent hospital and by an infantry division getting ready for D Day. Tanks were parked in the surrounding lanes and up the centre of the Coventry Road past the airport. The G I's used to walk into Coventry and Birmingham in their distinctive blue uniforms. My father used to entertain them at the Clock at Bickenhill singing "Brother can you spare a dime" which went down a storm by all accounts. I remember the yanks attending dances at Starbank Road School we used to chase after them shouting "any gum chum".j

 

[Jamie allen]

This may/may not be one of the named camps. Maybe someone can pinpoint a location ? Viv.

View attachment 130110

With additions the crates made good chairs and small tables. Stacked might achieve a desk. Definitely defensive as it it near a former military airfield I should say. Usually, observation posts were not so robustly constructed.

it was a struggle just to get the one crate out of there it is much larger then you may think it’s got concrete stairs on the one side that as got a metal gate . But I’m going back ASAP with good lighting to post as many good pictures as possible as I know they’re cutting all the trees down round that site and it will get vandaled in a heart beat as it’s on the main Coventry road.