Reasons for Designation
The Army Training Estate Otterburn (ATEO) is one of seven Army Field
Training centres in the UK and is the largest single live firing area in
the country. It has been operational since 1911 when the War Office
acquired about 20,000 (8094ha) acres of land in Redesdale, Northumberland
to create a seasonal tented camp and artillery range for the training of
the newly formed Territorial Forces. The pattern of artillery firing from
Easter to October fitted in with local sheep farming practices, and
byelaws to control access during live firing periods were introduced in
1916. A period of intense training occurred during World War I to prepare
both artillery and infantry units for war, including the construction of a
sector of front line trenches at Silloans to pratice infantry companies in
the routines of defence, control of overhead artillery fire and relief in
the line. After World War I the previous pattern of training was restored
and continued to 1939, the only change being that from horse drawn to
lorry drawn guns in 1938. During World War II, the training area doubled
in size with the acquisition and subsequent purchase of a further 20,000
(8094ha) acres to create a second Artillery Range and camp at Otterburn.
In 1959 the Ranges were renamed as an All Arms Training Area and five
infantry fire and manoeuver areas at Quickeningcote, Wilkwood, Davyshiel,
Sills and Heely Dodd were constructed under the Thurlow Plan. From 1969
Otterburn was designated as one of seven Principal Training Areas in the
UK and became increasingly used for fire and manoeuver training by
infantry units supported by artillery, mortars, guided missiles and air to
ground attack aircraft. Developments since 1969 have included the
construction of another battle shooting area at Ridleeshope and a moving
target railway system at Stone in the Mire for engagement by wire guided
anti-tank missiles.
Details
The monument includes the standing and buried remains of a concrete
blockhouse situated on the Otterburn Army Training Estate. The blockhouse,
which is now redundant, served as an observation post or Vedette and is
one of a pair, which survives from an original group of four. The second
surviving observation post is the subject of a separate scheduling. The
four observation posts were placed around the perimeter of the Redesdale
Firing Range in order to prevent access to the range during live firing
and also to provide security and good vision for range personnel. The
exact date of their construction is unknown, but graffiti discovered on
the walls within this blockhouse indicates their existence by at least the
late 1920s. The most likely context for the construction of the
observation posts is towards the end of or in the aftermath of World War
I.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
32785
Legacy System:
RSM
End of official list entry
