The Wilderness

This tunnel system was excavated almost 100ft below ground by the 172 Tunnelling Company Royal Engineers between 1940-1941 in response to the threat of German invasion.

In 1942 two large diesel generators were installed by soldiers from the Royal Engineers to provide the HQ with lighting.

It is believed to have been a Battle HQ for Field Marshall Montgomery although it seems as though the HQ was never used for this purpose it did find use as a communications centre by the Royal Corps of Signals during the allied invasion of France.

Due to the GPO supplying the cables and equipment it is likely they manned the communications centre rather than the Royal Corps of Signals.

The HQ was nicknamed “The Wilderness” by the people who helped in its construction.

By the end of the war the HQ was abandoned and sealed. It is now heavily flooded with the water level reaching the roof at certain times during the year. Some of the HQs wall rendering remains as well as electrical fittings and some rifle racks.