J T Gray Posted 23 March , 2019 Share Posted 23 March , 2019 I found out through the Wytham Woods Facebook feed in December that there were WW1 practice trenches in these woods (you may have seen Wytham Woods on the TV eg https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06fq03t - it's effectively the University of Oxford's ecological laboratory, so access is restricted to card holders). Walkers are asked to keep to the paths so there is not normally access to the area with the trenches in though you can see the communication trench leading to them from the path - I've looked at it many times when walking there, and never twigged what it was! I visited on a guided tour today, and have attached some photos below. It seems that they were forgotten until a WW2 German reconnaisance photo was discovered and an area of open ground, now largely grown over with beech trees, could be seen to have an extensive trench network in it. I've attached a number of photos of the two groups of trenches, with the communication trench running up the hill to them, and the large group of people crossing no-man's land between the two sets. It seems that they were deliberately set up as two opposing trench lines. The survival is quite startling - they were obviously still clear and sharp on the ground in 1940ish, and today you can still follow them from the photograph. The uppermost set are under much more undergrowth than the lower ones, which are mostly under the beech trees so clear of everything but bluebells and beech leaves, and there is a certain amount of excavation by the resident badgers. You'll be pleased to hear that the latrines are still functioning - well, the badgers are using them, anyway! Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted 23 March , 2019 Share Posted 23 March , 2019 Excellent pics, thanks. It seems that these trenches have not been mentioned before on the Forum. I wonder which units used them? Presumably the University's Officer Training Corps and the Officer Cadet Battalions based locally: Number 4 was at "Oxford", Number 6 more specifically at Balliol College. Balliol during the First World War Plan your visit to the Woods including getting a pass. Moonraker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 23 March , 2019 Share Posted 23 March , 2019 That's fascinating! I went out to Wytham Woods with some friends once in the 90s, to hear the nightingales singing (they did) but we were mostly in the open so I had no idea about those. Is the reconnaissance photograph copyright, do you know? I would like to share it around. seaJane Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 23 March , 2019 Share Posted 23 March , 2019 1 minute ago, Moonraker said: I wonder which units used them? Presumably the University's Officer Training Corps I'm sure I've seen somewhere that Port Meadow was used (as well?) but I can't recall where. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonraker Posted 23 March , 2019 Share Posted 23 March , 2019 Was it here? Moonraker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 23 March , 2019 Share Posted 23 March , 2019 25 minutes ago, Moonraker said: Was it here? Moonraker I don't think it was (though it's good to see George Lambrick's name again). However it could well have been at the Tolkien exhibition in the Weston Library with which the thread opens! sJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertBr Posted 23 March , 2019 Share Posted 23 March , 2019 Great photos. I have been meaning to get a pass and have a look around, now you have given me another reason to do so. Port Meadow was used as an airfield. There is a post about it in the "War in the Air" forum. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J T Gray Posted 23 March , 2019 Author Share Posted 23 March , 2019 (edited) Thank you! I must admit that I didn't check whether they's been previously mentioned. I think the photograph showing them came to light in the last couple of years, so they're a relatively recent re-discovery. There is a photo of troops camping in the area, supposedly the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry - of whom more below. I haven't a clue about the copyright status of the photo - maybe, like Crown copyright, it was copyright to Hitler but as he's been dead 74 years, maybe you're OK? You are welcome to share my photo of the printout of the photo, though. Intriguingly, I have gone back to the 2003 thread quoted in my earlier thread and looked at the book concerned to see whether it had been digitised anywhere. Lo and behold, there is page 55, and who should be on it but the OBLI digging trenches on a steep slope. There are other places it could be, Headington, Shotover, but that slope is steep enough to be Wytham. I wonder... https://archive.org/details/kitchenersarmyte00wall/page/54 Adrian Edited 23 March , 2019 by J T Gray Forgot to paste in link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seaJane Posted 23 March , 2019 Share Posted 23 March , 2019 Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smclaren Posted 10 April , 2020 Share Posted 10 April , 2020 On 24/03/2019 at 06:22, Moonraker said: Excellent pics, thanks. It seems that these trenches have not been mentioned before on the Forum. I wonder which units used them? Presumably the University's Officer Training Corps and the Officer Cadet Battalions based locally: Number 4 was at "Oxford", Number 6 more specifically at Balliol College. Correct, the OTC (Keble College at least) were practicing trench digging, bomb throwing, orientation etc at Wytham. From my grandfathers WW1 diaries .... he attended the 4th Officer Cadet Battalion (OCB) Oxford - C Company (Keble College) - 7th Course - April 1918 13/5/18 Monday We were supposed to go out to Wytham Hill & camp there for 4 days for trench digging etc but it rained hard after we were all packed up and it was postponed. Went up the river to the trout farm & done some rowing. Turned out a lovely afternoon. 14/5/18 Tuesday We shipped out to Wytham Hill today & camped here to do trenches & etc. Plenty of lovely bush about & it is just lovely. 15/5/18 Wednesday Digging trenches all day. Terrible hot. Bob & Jack & I went into Eyesham tonight before tea. 16/5/18 Thursday Map reading & judging distance today. A scorching day. 17/5/18 Friday The weather is terrific hot just now. We left this camp today & marched back to Keble College to our old posies. Study tonight. 22/7/18 Monday All the rest of the company have went out to Wytham for the week. Just the NZ’ers left. 23 of us. Our exam is on Tuesday & we have to study etc. Were out all day on tactical tour. Jack & I were on the mat this morning also Bob & Alf for lights not out after 11pm. Got off & we’re lucky. 26/7/18 Friday Went out to Wytham Camp but it rained hard & we got very wet, but had a great time. 12/8/18 Monday NZ’ers went out to Wytham & threw some live bombs. Ive attached a couple of photos from his collection showing the NZ'ers at Wytham trenching. All the best, J T Gray, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Fair Posted 30 April , 2020 Share Posted 30 April , 2020 (edited) Adrian many thanks for posting this thread. I'm researching the OCBs for a PhD on officer selection and training, so identifying the training areas is important. I'll have to visit there sometime. On 10/04/2020 at 14:48, smclaren said: Correct, the OTC (Keble College at least) were practicing trench digging, bomb throwing, orientation etc at Wytham. From my grandfathers WW1 diaries .... he attended the 4th Officer Cadet Battalion (OCB) Oxford - C Company (Keble College) - 7th Course - April 1918 Steve Steve, thanks for posting this. I have a particular interest in No. 4 OCB as it is the only one with significant surviving records. I have copied all the records in the University Archives in the Bodleian Library. I'm due a return visit to the Keble archives to look at the records there (a priority once we get out of lockdown). Keble has the complete Part 1 and Part 2 orders for No. 4 OCB, so your grandfather will certainly be in them. What was his name? I know most about C Company as one of its instructors was a Fellow at Keble. The registration forms the cadets filled in on arriving at Keble survive for C company, so I should have your grandfather's. Charles Edited 1 May , 2020 by Charles Fair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smclaren Posted 2 May , 2020 Share Posted 2 May , 2020 Hi Charles ... I'll create another thread concerning No 4 OCB so as not to pollute this subject on the Wytham trenches. I'll tag you in when I post it. I have some great stuff that will be of interest to you I hope ... and will invite others to contribute accordingly. Stand by ... Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Fair Posted 2 May , 2020 Share Posted 2 May , 2020 Thank you Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WolvercoteWW1 Posted 27 September , 2020 Share Posted 27 September , 2020 I believe the black and white aerial photo shown earlier in this thread is actually dated November 1918, not of WW2 vintage. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryL Posted 1 April , 2021 Share Posted 1 April , 2021 Great photos of the trenches; I have been there several times and can highly recommend March or earlier to see them. Having done it once in summer, I can say it gets heavily covered in brambles - don't try to go upwards to get out! The photo is available from the Imperial War Museum (ref HU 64475); it cost (2016) £17;40. I used it for a family video - my grandfather trained in these trenches. I was told also that many of the soldiers returning from Dunkirk were put up on Port Meadow. (Incidentally, if you are there, it is worth having a look at the plaque on the wall before The Trout regarding the fatal aircraft crash there a few years before the war). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Taylor Posted 30 August , 2022 Share Posted 30 August , 2022 On 10/04/2020 at 14:48, smclaren said: Correct, the OTC (Keble College at least) were practicing trench digging, bomb throwing, orientation etc at Wytham. From my grandfathers WW1 diaries .... he attended the 4th Officer Cadet Battalion (OCB) Oxford - C Company (Keble College) - 7th Course - April 1918 13/5/18 Monday We were supposed to go out to Wytham Hill & camp there for 4 days for trench digging etc but it rained hard after we were all packed up and it was postponed. Went up the river to the trout farm & done some rowing. Turned out a lovely afternoon. 14/5/18 Tuesday We shipped out to Wytham Hill today & camped here to do trenches & etc. Plenty of lovely bush about & it is just lovely. 15/5/18 Wednesday Digging trenches all day. Terrible hot. Bob & Jack & I went into Eyesham tonight before tea. 16/5/18 Thursday Map reading & judging distance today. A scorching day. 17/5/18 Friday The weather is terrific hot just now. We left this camp today & marched back to Keble College to our old posies. Study tonight. 22/7/18 Monday All the rest of the company have went out to Wytham for the week. Just the NZ’ers left. 23 of us. Our exam is on Tuesday & we have to study etc. Were out all day on tactical tour. Jack & I were on the mat this morning also Bob & Alf for lights not out after 11pm. Got off & we’re lucky. 26/7/18 Friday Went out to Wytham Camp but it rained hard & we got very wet, but had a great time. 12/8/18 Monday NZ’ers went out to Wytham & threw some live bombs. Ive attached a couple of photos from his collection showing the NZ'ers at Wytham trenching. All the best, J T Gray, Steve Hi Steve, Hope this finds you well. I came across your post as I am currently making a documentary on behalf of Angel Sharp Media (based in Oxford) for Wytham Wood about how it has changed over time and the many parts it has played in the different eras. One of the chapters is on the first world war and during my research stumbled across your post. The diary accounts from you grandfather and images are fascinating and wondered if it might be possible to feature this in the documentary? Best wishes, Stephen Taylor Producer/Director Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domsim Posted 31 August , 2022 Share Posted 31 August , 2022 They look good on the LIDAR from here: https://www.lidarfinder.com/ 1 metre resolution DEM from the environment agency. chhers Dom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smclaren Posted 1 September , 2022 Share Posted 1 September , 2022 On 30/08/2022 at 21:25, Stephen Taylor said: Hi Steve, Hope this finds you well. I came across your post as I am currently making a documentary on behalf of Angel Sharp Media (based in Oxford) for Wytham Wood about how it has changed over time and the many parts it has played in the different eras. One of the chapters is on the first world war and during my research stumbled across your post. The diary accounts from you grandfather and images are fascinating and wondered if it might be possible to feature this in the documentary? Best wishes, Stephen Taylor Producer/Director @Stephen Taylor Hi Stephen ... absolutely, I'd be be more than happy for you to use our Grandfathers resources (with the correct source acknowledgement, of course). If you PM me here on the GWF with your contact details and what you wish to use (diary entries, photo's etc), I'll be happy to forward to you directly what you need and anything else that may be of interest. Regards Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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