In researching into the history of Ash Ranges, it has become very apparent that of the range itself comparatively little is known, although its environs have a progression of use and occupation for over two thousand years. The region under consideration falls into two areas; the first being the heathland of the ranges and the adjoining woodlands of the training area; the other being the periphery of those areas where habitation and cultivation exists. Much of the following relates to that part of the region falling into the latter category until the advent of the Military in the 1850's.

There is little to suggest that the region has any connection with the pre-Roman period. It is evident that early man frequented he adjoining areas as is demonstrated by the Neolithic finds at Worplesdon and Ash itself (where two Neolithic axe heads have been found). A settlement may have existed at Wanborough, and, Caesars Camp at Bourley, is thought to be of Iron Age origin. All that could be conjectured is that early man, like his posterity, used the high lying heaths as a means of passage as the lower lying areas to the West and South would likely to have been subject to seasonal, if not permanent flooding. They would however have been very fertile areas, this accounting for the few period finds and the settlement at Wanborough where a spring exists. What we know as The Pilgrims Way also predates the coming of the Romans. Mainstone Hill to the North of the area, (now part of Blackdown Barracks) may, by virtue of its name, have been the site of a standing stone. The ever abundant flints in the gravel beds of the range area may have been of use, although the absence of any great number of contemporary earthworks or artefacts seems to indicate that the local flints were perhaps too small or that the area was so scantily populated that nobody bothered

Evidence of the Roman occupation exists around if not within the area. Roman Villas existed at Wanborough, where there was thought to be a small village, at Bagshot, at Worplesdon and possibly at Tongham. Various finds have been recorded at Frimley and Ash. It is also thought that the Romans occupied the earthworks at Caesars' Camp (hence the name) and Crooksbury Hill to the South of the ranges. With the established settlements at Wanborough and with a major Roman road at Bracknell ("The Devil's Highway") it is possible that the roadway known as Old Guildford Road may date back to this period. The Romans and their contempories would have found that the alluvial soil of the valley floors supported some cultivation. However as there would have been marshy, overland travel over any distance would have been difficult hence the use of the "Old Guildford Road" which utilises the higher flood free ground. It should be borne in mind that these higher ground areas would have been covered in low scrub vegetation such as Bagshot Heath is today, the ubiquitous conifer being a more recent introduction. The soil of the heath area has always been poor and it is very unlikely that any cultivation was carried out. A minimal amount of sheep grazing may have been possible but for the most part it would have been, as in fact it still is, a barren wilderness.

On the departure of the Romans the whole country gradually became subject to local conflict between communities. The inhospitable heath and adjoining areas probably were not worth fighting over apart from the use of trackways the area shows little sign of any activity. However within the general area of Pirbright Common (GR 9254) there is known to exist an earthwork of this period. It is thought to exist from the sixth century and may have been built in connection with the Battle of Wibbandum between Ceawlin, King of the Saxons and Ethelred King of Kent in 568 at Whitmoor Common lying to the East.

The next major point of chronological reference is the compilation of the Domesday Book. In this there can be identified some properties that exist today, these being Henley Park (Henlei-in-Ashe), Sands (Sande), Wanborough (Wanburgha) and Wyke (Wucha). It is interesting to note that in the reference to Henley, the name Henley has precedence to Ash, perhaps indicating the former was then of more importance. Churches are recorded at Sands and Wanborough. Wyke is a very smallholding in comparison to the others.

From the Norman invasion until the end of the 18th century little appears to have happened. The area would have undergone the gradual progression of a predominantly agriculturally based economy. As the upper heath lands are and were so infertile they would have been very little affected by these slow changes. In common with much of Southern England the area would have been looked at for timber in connection with the Navy's boat building at Portsmouth. Unlike the area at Woolmer Forest around Bordon no planting apparently was done to replenish any felled timber, this indicating that what little usable timber there might have existed and was removed wasn't worth replacing, a further indication of the poor nature of the soil. Hardwoods (eg: Oak and Beech) do not naturally thrive on sparse heathlands and the more fertile valleys would either be waterlogged or under primitive cultivation. The well-known naturalist Gilbert White of Selbourne described the area as a barren waste.

A barometer of the local economy is the development of the parish church. Those at Aldershot and Farnborough indicate a succession of modification from Norman times whereas that at Wanborough shows a decline to total obscurity in the beginning of the 18th century. A map of the Woking Hundred dated 1610, which totally includes all the area of consideration, indicates nothing in the range/training areas, only Henley Park and a public road from Frimley to Tongham via Ash being marked. This may be indicative of the possible highway in the valley, which would reduce the importance of the heath tracks. However a map of the same area dated 1749 shows various features on the ranges and the present day names of Romping Downs and Peatmoor Pond appear. The latter is of interest as it relates to a man made pond possibly used as a fishpond to provide fresh meat or more likely a pond for attracting game birds and duck. What we know as Ash No: 2 range was before the Army's arrival known as Rail Bottom. This may refer to one of the 14th Century landowners (Rayle) or to the game bird of this name. It is possible that the main and perhaps only use to which the area was put was for sporting purposes.

The area would have been little directly affected by the industrial revolution as no coal, ironstone (of any quantity) or waterpower existed. However the gradual move of people to the industrial centres for better pay would have reduced the rural population, e.g.: Wanborough, and would have made it necessary to adopt a more intensive form of farming. This in turn would call for enclosure awards. Ash Parish was enclosed in 1853 and Wanborough perhaps in 1800. Prior to these the area was "unallocated" i.e. Unfenced and unenclosed described on the 1801 map of Frimley Manor, covering E1 and E2 training areas and Mychett (or Mitchett as the map calls it) and on the 1842 Tithe Map o Ash Parish, as waste land. The 1842 map does however indicate allotments on a now non-existent eastward extension of Chandlers Road at Ash Wharf.

On such allotment there was normally a dwelling of some sort one was noted to Wm Chandler, whose existence is perpetuated in the name Chandlers Road, and who owned further lands in the area subsequently bought by the army, and a further noted to Thomas Knowles Senior. The name of Knowles appears in many places in the Tithe register and the family were obviously extensive farmers in the area, one occupying the fields attached to the Ash Union Poorhouse located where the Ashcourt Hotel now stands. The implementation of enclosure awards had the effect of allocating open "unallocated" areas to the claimants. (Claimants comprised of those who alleged some interest in the unallocated land, perhaps as grazers or sportsmen).

This exercise determined the present day property boundaries in the entire vicinity of the periphery of the range and the training area.

Other significant developments were the building of the Basingstoke Canal and the coming of the railways. The canal was built between 1788 and 1794. Its petition to Parliament in 1788 stated that the canal's prospective traffic was timber for the Navy at Chatham (the canal was originally to be a by-pass for the Thames between Bray and Isleworth). Also a considerable trade in flour and grain was envisaged for the London markets. Apart from transporting some building materials for the construction of the "camp", the canal does not appear to have made a great impact on the area although over the years it has provided a limited water training facility for the Army. The canal ceased to be used above Woking for commercial navigation in the 1930's.

The railways on the other hand were one of the motivating forces in the Army's decision to set up a permanent camp at Aldershot as it was considered a pre-requisite that adequate rail connection was available. The main line from London to Farnborough and Basingstoke was opened in 1838. The main station however, for the camp was the present North Camp Station which was opened in 1858. The site of this station was partially leased to the railway until quite recently, for sometime the Railways were bound to provide trains for the Army free of charge in return for the lease of the station. The nearest station to the ranges, Ash Vale (originally called North Camp, Ash Vale, as opposed to Aldershot North Camp, was known simply North Camp), was opened in 1870.

The tracks and highways over the range are worth considering at this point. Although the Army's acquisitions and escalating interests in the Ash area did not have any major immediate impact on the existent road system during the fifty years ensuing, the road pattern, which had existed for many centuries, was to be greatly altered. The Ash enclosure award of 1853 as well as allocating the unenclosed lands also made provision for the establishment of a metalled highway, by allocating land and reserved rights for it, between Normandy and Pirbright, this now being A324. Previously there would probably have been a track of sorts, which by usage was a through route. Perhaps the right of public passage was in some doubt and required defining. Certainly due to its location and without proper provision for maintenance such a road would be impassable in wet weather as it passed through several poorly drained areas that can still flood on occasion. The original route was over the higher lying plateau area of what is now the ranges, by way of "The Old Green Road" at Foxhills and linked with the Old Guildford Road at Crown Prince Hill where there is shown a signpost on the OS map of 1853. Perhaps because of this the lower route was formalised in the Enclosure Award.

From Crown Prince Hill the old road wound down to Pirbright and Henley Park going to the former by Admirals Road. The Admiral in question was Vice Admiral the Hon. John Byron (Grandfather of the poet). He resided after his naval days at the lodge in Mill Lane, Pirbright around 1774. The good Admiral was so taken with by the area that he planted an avenue of Scots pines along the road past his home, this becoming Admirals Road. Perhaps some of the progeny of these trees still exist. This road was the coach route between Bagshot and Farnham, thus avoiding the boggy low-lying land.

Old Guildford Road at this time was also, as I think it had been for centuries, one of the main highways in the area running as it did from Camberley, on the main London, Southampton coach route, to Guildford the main town on the whole area and on the mediaeval "Pilgrims Way" from Canterbury to Winchester. These highways were the known haunt of Dick Turpin who allegedly frequented the Bagmans Castle at Aldershot this being a somewhat seedy hamlet in the nursery area of what is now Blandford House.

A further road of importance of the period was that which ran from the junction at Frimley Green and the present Gapemouth Road to Pirbright. Close to this junction there once existed a windmill, a comparatively rare structure in this not too fertile area. Part of it still exists and is incorporated into the "Old Mill House". The roadway followed Gapemouth Road to the E2 training area where it then deviated into the Army training area and crossed the Alton - Woking railway on a level crossing alongside the site of Tunnel Cottage. The slight remains of this crossing can still be seen. It then wound round the bottom of Longdown Hill to the present junction of Grange Road and Tunnel Hill Road. This section of road is still very evident on the ground particularly a cutting below Longdown Hill. Thereafter this road went into the range area and over Stoney Castle No: 1 range and joined the present access road to Stoney Castle Ranges at the range huts on No: 2 range.

This section of the road is totally obscured as a result of the construction of Tunnel Hill Road and Stoney Castle ranges to which I refer to later. This road must have been of importance as it is levelled on the OS plan of 1863 and only major roads had this done.

Before considering the Army impact on the area one further road should be mentioned although I have found little reference to it. This ran from what is known as Mychett Gate on Tunnel Hill Road, over the ranges and down the South face of Emperors Hill. I presume it then joined the road mentioned above. It seems to have fallen into disuse long before the Armys purchase although it is still evident at Emperors Hill if one cares to fight through the bracken to find it. Stories are told of the ghost of a headless horseman who in the autumn is heard to ride on these roads. It should be noted that at circa 1850 Gapemouth Road did not exist nor did Grange Road, nor Tunnel Hill Road.

By far the most significant event in the entire history of the area under consideration was the advent of the Army in the 1850's.

The main camp in Aldershot was started in 1854 following several reconnaissances of the area in previous years. In 1855 the first land purchases of the rifles ranges was made (the first ranges were however located below Caesars Camp at Bourley where they can still be seen). It is interesting to note that the first purchase was in advance of the Enclosure Award for Ash Parish but the award when made by Charles Pink of Soberton allocated the land to the board of ordnance. The first purchase was from Winchester College and comprised the western part of the range complex as it is today and also included the canal bridge at Heath Vale. The history of this one purchase is in itself interesting and perhaps typical. The land was originally in the ownership of Chertsey Abbey as was much if not all, the land in the area. This would have followed from the Norman Invasion and the consequent establishment of religious houses throughout the land. At the reformation the lands passed to Henry VIII. Shortly after Edward VI granted the land to the college. Access to the ranges was over the canal bridge and via Chambers Road and to this day the Army are liable to contribute to the maintenance of this private road.

The layout and development of the ranges in this complex has varied as subsequent purchases were made and legislation enacted. The first ranges were at Ash and appear to have existed for no more than a few years from the first use which followed and may have preceded the first land purchase in 1855 until he early 1860's. As little remains of these ranges and as they had a short existence it is likely that they were little more than clearings in the scrub with perhaps very rudimentary butts, involving no significant earthworks. It would appear that the naturally occurring hollows and hillocks were used. The nomenclature of this first range system was by letter going from South to North. Ranges A, B, & C were roughly where No: 4 range of today is. They were however on a more NW/SE areas. The firing points commenced at around about the 500Yard firing point on No.4 range and the butts were located at the bottom of Gravel Pit Hill in a naturally occurring valley and some associated earthworks may still exist there. It is interesting that over half of these three ranges lay outwith the present range danger area and directly overshot Normandy Village. Range E lay to the North of the present No: 4 range with the butts located at roughly where the 100 yard firing point of No: 4 range is at present. The series of letters identifying the ranges was not consistent as there were none named D, E, F, G, H or I. The missing ranges may have been located elsewhere. Little remains of E range but the flat ground to the North of No: 4 range indicates its location.

The next ranges of the 1855/60 period were J & K. These fired from the present rear firing points of No: 2 range with butts located where the present No: 3 range butts are. The excavation to the South of No: 3 butts may have been the butts of these ranges but I feel this dates from the 1860/95 period. The adjacent L & M ranges of 1855/60 also fired from the back of the present No: 2 ranges with the butts in a naturally occurring valley lying behind No:2 range butts to the South. This area has remained unchanged although again I think the earthworks are more contemporary with the succeeding range complex. N range is of interest. It lies to the immediate North of the present 1a range. The firing points started a little to the South of Great Bottom Flash and to the East of the Old Range Wardens Office. This area has been unaffected by any subsequent range rebuilds and it is therefore possible to see the undisturbed relics of an 1855 range. In fact practically nothing exists other than what may be small butt mounds to the NW of the butts of 1a ranges. Of the other ranges of this period (O, P, & Q) nothing seems to remain. O was located on what is now the E.T.R. P & Q lay to the North of this where the SMG and Pistol ranges now are.

From this evidence I surmise the ranges of this period were very rudimentary affairs. The initial land purchase of 1855 covered only the firing areas and butts of this first range system and it's overshoot or danger area was not owned nor does there seem to be any warning signs to indicate this. The range of weapons then in use, the accuracy of the shooting, and perhaps most likely the fact that the land to the east of the ranges was a total wilderness, could account for this. However between 1862 and 1876 the lands immediately behind the butts were progressively purchased.

A restructuring of the ranges appears to have taken place around 1862. It is very likely that firing rights were obtained over these near lying lands prior to purchase, as marker stones are shown on the OS maps which were not at the time of publication, in the Army's ownership. The 1862/4 range complex again had the ranges differentiated by letter. A & B ranges were North of the site of the previous A, B, and C but differently aligned. They fired from North of Chandlers Road indeed the B range was over the larger part of the old E range. The old A, B, C, ranges were abandoned. The new A & B ranges were over the present No: 4 range but still on a more SW-NE axis.

No ranges existed below the one time eastern extension of Chandlers Road where private houses were built. These were not purchased until 1885. The site where the present 600 & 500 yard firing points of No: 4 range are. The existing earth banks cut into the hillside to the North of No: 4 range and behind the range huts between No: 4 and No: 3 may be part of A & B ranges of 1862. They were 800 and 650 yard ranges respectively and although they had adjoining rear firing points they were on different axes and had separate butts. The construction of the present No: 4 has removed almost all trace of the old ranges at this location. The C & D ranges corresponded to the original J & K ranges and the associated earthworks I feel relate to the 1862/4 rebuild. These ranges were of 900 yards length. The L & M ranges of 1856 became 1862 J & K ranges. Approximately half of this J & K range can still be seen to the South of the butts on No: 2 ranges. The firing points take the form of banks on either side of the Gallery depression of butt banking at the end of the range. The foundations of some of the range buildings can still be traced within the gallery itself.

A completely new G to M range complex was built over the 1856 O, P, & Q ranges. The 1855 N range, as mentioned above was disused. The G to M complex was a very large affair and seems to have been the main range complex of the area. It lays East of Ash Vale station and fired in a S.E. direction over what is now the E.T.R. Each range firing into a separate butt which is located in a small valley or excavated depression several of which still remain to the south of the E.T.R. The firing points were at 50-yard intervals. Ranges G, H, J, & K were of 900 yards length and L & M 800 yards. The alignment of these ranges was determined by the Army's land ownership at this time, the land to the NW was not acquired until 1880. Several of the firing points can still be seen although the larger part of the complex is now obscured.

Between 1895 and 1896 approximately a complete re-build of the ranges was undertaken. This followed progressive purchases of land that now compromises the range danger area and the passing of various land enactments. This rebuild produced the present Ash Range complex (1983/4).

The land purchases between then and 1880 more or less completed the Ash Ranges area we know today. Basically only two further acquisitions were made. One was Cleggate Common that included the Lordship of the Manor of Cleggate. This can be traced back to at least the 15th Century when it was owned by one Rayle who was a farmer. (The present Railes Farm may be connected). It in due course passed on to the Crown in 1461 and in 1465 passed to Thomas Ledger for keeping game. Over the centuries it's ownership has changed many times. The other acquisition of size comprised approximately a third of Ash Ranges, a substantial part of Pirbright Ranges, E2, 3, and 4 training areas, and a miscellany of bits and pieces of land in the vicinity of Pirbright.

These lands purchases have a number of interesting facets. Excluding from the purchase, which encompasses E3, training area was a small area of land around GR: 923559, which was acquired by a separate title simultaneously with that of E3 training area. This acquisition was by adverse possession, in other words there was no title to the land but it was used and accepted as belonging to the vendor of the surrounding land. Why it was excluded from the main title is a mystery. There is no evidence to indicate its existence on the ground. A guess however would be that in times gone by it was the site of a woodman's or more probably a charcoal burners steading, to which a title of shorts had been acquired, and lost over the years. Its proximity to a watercourse and an indication on the 1864 OS map of an enclosed clearing in the woodland indicates this.

A further curiosity is the existence of gravel pits at various places on the South of the range area particularly at GR: 901515. It is unlikely that these shallow workings predate the Army's acquisition and were the result of small scale quarrying for gravel flints used in house building. Those around Normandy (together with further workings at GR: 902548 on E1 training area) would have been used for that purpose. However those at GR: 916525 being remote from any community or village may have resulted from the construction of the highway authorised by the 1853 Enclosures Award. The highways legislation then provided, as it still does, in fact, for the local highway authority to enter adjoining land and remove stone to construct roads. The workings predate the Army's acquisition and appear to be contemporary with road construction.

Also included in this substantial land purchase were several plots originally owned by the Guardians of the Poor of Guildford Union. These could no doubt be identified at the time, they being "Small Shot", "Foxhills Ward" and "Fools Field". Only the last can be positively identified from modern maps as laying to the west of the butts of Henley Park range. It comprises a former enclosure for cattle or sheep. It was in existence prior to 1860. The fields concerned appear to have been pounds for holding animals. As to why they were so called is now open to conjecture. Perhaps only a fool would attempt to graze animals on such a poor waterlogged site or alternatively they may have been used as pounds whose foolish owners had let them stray on the commons. A charge would have been levied for the recovery of such animals by the owners. Perhaps all of the named plots were such pounds operated by the guardians. It is possible that one of these plots may have been on what we now know as Crown Prince Hill. Around the top of this hill is a circular enclosure mound. This was not part of the Enclosure Award and predates the Army's purchase and use of the land.

It is difficult now to envisage how this area must have looked in the period prior to the Army purchases as it is only since then that the high growing conifers have become established. Queen Victoria was concerned that her troops might suffer from too much sun on the open heathland and instigated the planting of trees to provide shade. It was as a direct result of this that the ubiquitous conifer grows all over the region, it is not indigenous to the area. In 1877 the commoner's rights on the "Commons" comprising Ash Ranges were purchased by the Army at a meeting held in "The White Hart" (now The Moorhen) in Pirbright village for the then considerable sum of £14,600.00

Another piece of relevant legislation, which was of considerable importance, was the Aldershot Roads Act of 1890. This enabled the Army to close the public highways of Old Guildford Road and Admirals Road together with a number of other tracks used by the public over the range area, the act being passed "by reason of the increased range of the rifles now used by Her Majesty's Forces" and it being "expedient to make further provisions for the safety of the public when the said lands are used". The existence and use of these roads doubtless caused a considerable hindrance to the use of the ranges at Ash. The public highway known as the "Old Green Road at Foxhills" passed close behind the butts of the 1860 A & B ranges and must have been the cause of numerous range "Shut Downs" as the road was used. Three lookout towers exist along the line of this road, although they are now in a very ruinous state. I would doubt that these were contemporary with this period but are I think of later construction although it is probable that before the passing of the Act, sentries and look-outs would have been posted on these roads during firing.

Before the roads could be physically and permanently shut diversions had by virtue of the Act, to be built. One was the present Gapemouth Road between Curzon Bridge and Deepcut Place; another was Tunnel Hill Road from its junction with Grange Road and Mychett Gate, over the top of Tunnel Hill. The road from the junction of Grange Road and Tunnel Hill Road to Curzon Bridge was constructed a little later.

By coincidence the main Woking - Basingstoke railway was widened at this time and this resulted in a number of local diversions of the roads and bridges around Brookwood Camping ground. During this railway work it seems that a number of temporary rail connections were made onto the Army land at Gapemouth. Whether these were intended as more permanent rail connections or merely as temporary tracks to dump excavation material from the greatly enlarged railway cutting at Deepcut is not now clear.

The construction of Tunnel Hill Road involved the cutting of the road deep into Longdown Hill. The excavations from this appear to have been dumped on the ranges South of the Grange Road/Gapemouth Road junction. Longdown Hill itself is interesting as it appears to have been a defensive position of some size and a considerable amount of trenching and earth works still exist all round it. These are certainly of military origin and when built perhaps around 1880 to 1890 the area to the North and East would have been open with sizeable trees.

The construction of the Stoney Castle ranges was also done about 1890 and may well have coincided with the construction of the new Tunnel Hill Road. From examination of old OS maps and the location of the roadways it would seem that the valley in which Stoney Castle range is located was very boggy and perhaps impassable on foot. The construction of this range therefore necessitated an enormous amount an enormous amount of earth moving to the extent that all the evidence of the old road system was removed. Grange Road itself was re-built at this time where it passes along side Stoney Castle ranges. "Stoney Castle" was a house located to the North of Grange Road and West of the present entrance to Stoney Castle ranges. The buildings have long since been demolished but the foundations still remain. The house seems to have been occupied in 1947 and it was in existence in 1867, thus predating the Army's acquisition of the area.

Stoney Castle No: 1 range is a gallery range and No: 2 range is a field firing range. When it was built it stretched westward to below Crown Prince Hill. A few shelter pits still remain. These were in fact shelters for soldiers deployed in the Danger Area, tasked to pull up targets as required or to replace them when shot away. A few old range danger posts still exist in this area, these presumably demarcating the danger area of the Ash Ranges prior to the construction of Henley Park Ranges. No: 2 had two target tramways both at one time diesel hauled one now disused although the track bed and engine house complete with engine still remain. Among the bracken the original trolley lies upturned with one axle detached.

Little can be deduced as to the workings of the ranges after 1895 rebuild, which obviously followed from the various enactments and buildings mentioned above. It is known that early tanks used the ranges at Ash during the First World War gaining access over Heathvale Bridge. Editions of the OS plans of 1898 and 1920 do however indicate a number of charges. In 1898 the ranges at Ash were completed and presumably operational. The ablutions block opposite the present range wardens Quarters of 1898 were located between No: 1a and No: 2 range about halfway between the road and the butts. No houses existed East of the Swan Inn and Chambers Road. Under the Aldershot Military Lands Order of 1901 several house plots were purchased on Chambers Road, these eventually becoming the rear and now partially disused firing points of No: 2 range. Also about this time in 1895 under the Artillery and Ranges Act the first Military Bye-Laws were produced. Among their provisions were the powers to close Ash Wharf Road between Chandlers Cottages and the ranges. Up until the 1895 re-build, as mentioned, no ranges existed South of an eastward extension of the present Chandlers Road and indeed up to 1885 two houses with gardens as allocated under the Enclosure Award of 1853 existed here. Their location was on what is now rear firing points of No: 4 range. Their acquisition was a complicated one as a surrender to the Lord of the Manor was involved and they were actually acquired in the name of the Duke of Connaught on behalf of the Crown. The bye-laws enforceable under the 1901 Order also provided for warning posts to be provided, for warning posts to be erected on the danger area boundary and for flags to be flown during firing.

Before considering the developments on the ranges between the wars a few other points are worth noting. The little white house to the South of No: 2 range and on the edge of the Army land, known as "Ivanhoe" has some interesting connections with the ranges. It was built around 1900 and was a privately owned teashop which had a window onto the ranges purveying refreshments to the troop on the ranges. Also on the 1898 OS map along the edge of the bottom of the plateau area of the ranges, there are shown a number of wells. These would have been located on the spring line of the gravel beds into which the firing galleries of the ranges are built. The imminent re-build of the ranges may well reveal some of these features.

The range area was well covered by the OS, for between 1920 and 1938 the 3rd edition of the 6" OS sheets for the area was revised three times. This does indicate the developments on the ranges during this time. In 1920 there appears two Clay Pigeon ranges (No: 1 & 2) located on the site of the old 1860's G to M ranges firing point, to the south of Furze Hill and west of the SMG's Pistol ranges of today. There was also a tower from which the "Clays" were fired. These ranges last appear on the 1938 revision presumably the advent of the Second World War brought about their demise.

From around 1920 to the mid 30's several field practise ranges existed behind the butts of the ETR and No: 2 range. They were used in the same manner as a field firing range but were not confined to a firing gallery. Numerous shelter pits exist where targets would have been displayed being operated by hand from the safety of the pit. A target tramway existed behind No: 1 range butts which was used in association with the practice ranges. The more Southerly of these ranges behind No: 2 range and SE of No: 3 range butts appear from the construction of the shelter pits to be of an earlier vintage than the others. As to whether these ranges operated while the main ranges fired it is not clear. If this was the case using or operating while the main ranges fired it is not clear. If this was the case using or operating the practice ranges would have been more than a little hazardous. From the evidence on the ground it seems that a similar range may have existed behind No: 4 range butts where a number of shelter pits and blockhouses exist. However, no indications of the OS maps are given of this range.

Prior to the construction of Henley Park Range around 1939 to 1942/3 the area around Whitepatch Hill shows signs of use as a training area. There are also indications that it was heavily used by vehicles, both A & B classes. Dating of such uses is now very difficult but certain deductions can be made. From aerial photographs taken in 1947 it is evident that a vehicle circuit existed with entry at Play Hill to the North West. It then passed over the E.T.R. (in front of the butt banks) to Fox Hills and Dukes Hill. In the vicinity of Dolleys Hill and fanning to the North East of this area is seen to be very cut up with vehicle movements. A further point of entry probably existed here. The circuit continues northwards passing between Foxhill and Bastion Hill and goes over Romping Downs leaving the area in the valley between Spur Hill and Bridge Hill. Access and egress would appear to have been taken over the railway line which suggests that although evident on the 1947 photos as partially overgrown, the circuit predates the construction of Keogh Barracks.

From these photos and observation on the ground the shallow valley immediately to the South of Crown Prince Hill was used as some kind of impact area for Artillery as considerable number of craters exist in this vicinity. No firing points are evident but from the 1947 photos a very distinct vehicle track exists going from Dolleys Hill to Peatmoor Hill and Long Hill. In the vicinity of Long Hill a large area of disturbed ground exists. This may have been a firing point for mobile guns. Little now remains of these tracks although a very noticeable gulley can be seen between Whitepatch Hill and Bastion Hill this indicating the location of the track way.

Around the general area of Peatmoor Hill, Foxholes Bottom and Long Hill there exist a considerable number of slit trenches and larger earthworks which are clearly defensive positions on the edge of the low ridge which runs across the area. Further trench systems are evident in the area of Sheep Hill. Before the building of Henley Park Range it would seem that considerable use was made of this area for both troop and vehicle movements.

The Army land lying between the Basingstoke-Woking railway and Gapemouth Road, particularly around the entrance to "The Wilderness" has very extensive trench systems. These are in part now quite heavily wooded, but from the age of the trees which presumably did not exist to any extent when its trenches were dug and used, the embrasures are about 60 to 70 years old are probably training devices for the 1914-1918 war.

Also around this area as has already been mentioned are several earth banks. These seem to have been connected with the railway but would only have been narrow tramways, if that. They may have been some kind of screening bunds in connection with the trench systems. It is certainly clear that a main line siding was built up to the edge of the Army land, its purpose now uncertain. Lesser trench systems exist in E2 & E3 training areas and the extensive Long Down Hill excavation are mentioned above.

Also in the vicinity of Longdown Hill are several track ways which have been carefully graded and engineered in that they run in shallow, obviously man made cuttings, these radiate from Tunnel Hill Road at the bottom of Longdown Hill. One is on the approximate route of the old highway mentioned previously which, prior to the Aldershot Roads Act, ran from Deepcut to the junction of Grange Road and Tunnel Hill Road. I do not consider that the cutting has its origin in the existence and use of that road but is a result of the Army's need of obtaining access to the training areas. As the roads/track ways concerned are constructed with a gradual slope and wide curves I would guess that these reflect a use by horse drawn vehicles, possibly supply wagons for any encampments in the area.

Before considering the changes in the area during and after the Second World War and in order to conclude the various purchases made by the Army in the vicinity a brief resume of the area now follows. The range rebuild of the 1890's and the construction of the Stoney Castle ranges followed a series of purchases made in the period 1876 to 1885. Mention has also been made of several purchases under the Aldershot Military Lands Order of 1901 comprising several house sites were purchased in the area these being from a Mr. C. Chandler, among others, this being a descendant of the Chandler of Chandlers Road. These sites at one time were near firing points of No: 2 range. In 1892 a portion of E1 Training Area was purchased which adjoined the already owned lands comprising Cleygate Common.

The two remaining purchases made in 1912 of the remainder of E1 and the site of Keogh Barracks, including Mychett Place and Mychett Lake more or less completed the Army ownerships as they now are. Mychett Place itself a property of some age and its main claim to fame is that it was used for a period to detain Rudolf Hess after his parachuting into Britain during the war. Keogh Barracks was built in the mid 1930's, the site previously having been used as a barrack area for the R.M.P.

The advent of the Second World War saw the building of Henley Park Range with the consequent reduction in the use of the Whitepath Bottoms area as a training area. It probably also saw the final demise of the field practice ranges behind No: 1 and No: 2 ranges as these were in part used to construct what appears to be an aerial decoy system for the R.A.E. This system consists of a series of pits on the alignments of the main runways at the R.A.E. which may have been illuminated by some means in the event of a raid. There are however a number of other pits of similar construction in the vicinity the use of which is not at present known. Several other aerial markings are evident from the 1947 aerial photographs and indeed are still evident though heavily overgrown. These comprise what appear to be targets for perhaps parachuting or practice bombing or indeed may have been used in connection with wartime experiments at the R.A.E. They lie adjacent to the decoy system, which may or may not be significant. Considerable scope for further investigation of these markings and earthworks exists, as these would also seem to be several earth banks built in conjunction with their use. A mortar range, now long disused, was established to the South East of Longdown Hill and East of Empress Hill. The impact area is still very evident and the area of the range is still demarcated by a perimeter fence (as there may still be unexploded ordnance, entry in the range is prohibited).

It is known that few air raids took place in the Aldershot area during the war and it seems that little war damage was sustained within the area under consideration.

By reference to the series of aerial photographs taken in 1947 a considerable amount of information can be deduced as regards the state of the lands in respect of vegetation and the uses to which they were put. On a general level a first examination indicates that the areas were much more heavily used by vehicles and that much less vegetation existed both scrub and forest.

Taking the training areas in sequence; E1. The main feature is the absence of the MQ estate at Keogh which now occupies the SW corner of the area; also Robert Haining School on the Western boundary is absent. The remainder of the area was largely wooded quite densely in parts, except where tracks existed. These tracks were heavily used and in the centre of the area there was a large tract of eroded this extending to about quarter of the total area of the training area itself. Several large earth mounds, which still exist, were apparent perhaps used in connection with driver training.

E2 training area now shows a considerable change from its state in 1947. At the time very little tree cover existed and a considerable amount of vehicle tracking is evident. The steep slope which runs across the area was obviously heavily used for driver training. In the South East corner and to a lesser extent over the eastern half of the area there would appear to be minor earthworks, they may have been bivouac sites, small explosive craters or merely the results of digging in. The level crossing at Tunnel Hill Cottage was still in use. The ground to the North of Gapemouth Road and South of the railway and mentioned above seems to have been little used.

E3 area immediately South of the railway showed signs of heavy vehicle use together with the curious earthworks seen of E2. The remainder of E3 (i.e. South of Tunnel Hill and North of Grange Road) showed little evidence of intensive use.

E4 area had much vehicle use but at the time of the photographs the tracking was old and partially overgrown. As the tracks spread into the gallery area of Stoney Castle No: 2 range they may have been caused by artillery moving onto the range itself. This perhaps suggests that this range may have been used for something other than hand held weaponry. This area is almost totally devoid of tree growth. Unfortunately the series of photographs do not cover E5 training area. Mention has already been made of the state of the range area itself shown in the photographs. It seems unlikely that artillery was ever used on these ranges since the required distances for firing could not be achieved. Infantary mortars and other light weapons were certainly used.

An insight into the past of the area can be gained from names shown on the various maps of the area. Prior to the first edition of the Ordnance Survey around 1850 to 1860 maps exist of the Woking Hundreds as mentioned above. Title maps and enclosure award maps also exist. The earliest map showing any names is that mentioned above of 1749 where Romping Downs is mentioned. The derivation of this name is obscure. Peatmoor is of obvious origin in relation to its location. Perhaps also Whitepatch achieves its name from some geographical feature. Sheeps Hill is again obvious as is Gravelpit Hill, Stoney Hill & Stoney Castle, the last two indicating how barren the area was at one time. One name which appears near Chair Hill (itself a curious name with no doubt an interesting origin if it is ever discovered) is Kiln Hill. This may indicate the site of a pottery kiln many which existed in the area; a well-documented pottery existed in Mill Lane at Pirbright. The names Potters Pool just outside the Army's ownerships on the Basingstoke Canal, North of Robert Haining School derives from this source. However little evidence exists on site to suggest a pottery and it is more likely that any kiln was for burning charcoal. The name obviously predates the Army's acquisition. On acquiring the land the Army named and re-named many of the physical features in this range area. Blast Hill becoming Emperors Hill on which there was a watchtower. The names Crown Prince Hill, Bastion Hill & Ricochet Hill being Army names. The existence of Hangmans Hill adjacent to what was once a main highway is interesting in view of Dick Turpin's activities.

The above can only be regarded as a scratching of the surface and a considerable amount of research awaits to be carried particularly as regards the use and working of the ranges over the last 50 Years.

Chairman's Note:

The above account was prepared in 1984/85 by Mr. J.K. Hill (Kevin) on the staff of the Senior Estate Surveyors Aldershot. He has researched deeply into both his departmental and local authority archives to achieve the data for this history. Some of the views and opinions expressed are his own and are not necessarily those neither of the Department of Environment nor of the Ministry of Defence.

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