Tuesday 22nd September, 2009

Community Payback unearths historic air–raid shelter in Devizes

Community Payback unearths historic air–raid shelter in Devizes The Wiltshire Probation Community Payback team, a supervised group of offenders which carry out unpaid work as part of their community sentence, partnered up with Wiltshire Heritage Museum in September to help excavate a historic wartime bunker which had been discovered below the museum’s car park in Devizes.

David Dawson, Director of Wiltshire Heritage Museum, commented: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for us to find out more about what happened at the museum during the Second World War.

The hard work undertaken by the offenders has revealed that the air raid shelter is something out of the ordinary, with its concrete roof being almost 50cm thick.

“We are still trying to work out why it was so well constructed. One theory is that it may have been a bunker for the Auxiliary Home Guard, a secret force that would have been an underground resistance in
the event of a Nazi invasion.”

Historian John Girvin, who managed the site excavation, added: “The discovery of the bunker is an important asset to the museum. The Community Payback team worked hard to carefully clear away rubble and remove debris from the bunker in a
very fast time.

What’s more, the offenders have unearthed a Morse Code telegraphic machine on the final day of the excavation. The discovery of the antique communication device will provide a fascinating exhibit to the museum and has added to speculation that the bunker was used for undercover operations.

Unfortunately, health and safety considerations mean that the bunker has now been filled in, but photographs and drawings will now form part of the museum exhibition planned to open in November.

The museum also hopes to build a replica air–raid shelter that can be used to give school children and visitors an insight into life on the Home Front during World War Two.

Wiltshire Probation Project Coordinator Tracy Geiran said: “The Community Payback team were thrilled at being given the chance to work under the guidance of experienced archaeologists and to help unearth important parts of Wiltshire’s heritage. It was a unique project for the team and the offenders were motivated to help discover the history of Devizes and should be proud that generations to come will benefit from their hard work.”

“I will not be reoffending again,” confided an offender at the museum site. “I have been forced to give up free time which is precious to me. However, the experience has given me the chance to reflect on the crime I have committed and it’s good to know we are doing good for others.”

A local magistrate who visited the Community Payback team at the Museum commented: “I have been highly impressed with the energy and enthusiasm shown by the offenders on the site. This is a punishment for them because they are not getting paid for their work but they are gaining life–related skills while developing a sense of community responsibility.”

“For those serving a sentence for less serious crimes, Community Payback is undoubtedly a sensible option. The project meant that the offenders learnt how to work together as a team and follow instructions from site supervisors. Justice is not only done, but being seen to be done,” added another magistrate.

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