A Second World War archeological site of historic importance has received protection from a national heritage body.
The remains of the gunnery sites on Llandudno’s Great Orme, which acted as a training area for the Coast Artillery School during the war, have been scheduled as an ancient monument by Cadw, the organisation for preserving sites of historic interest in Wales.
The artillery school relocated to Llandudno from Shoeburyness, Essex in 1940, and was designed by the Royal Engineers.
Officers and men of other ranks were trained at the site in the art of coast artillery, but the school also assisted in the development of new weaponry, tactics and instrumentation. The installations were split into gunnery, searchlight and radar wings, together with 21 Coast Battery and related support services.
Cadw’s report on the artillery school said “The monument is of national importance as material evidence of the preparations undertaken for the defence of the UK during the Second World War, and its potential to enhance our knowledge of military training practices.”
Cllr Philip Evans, who represents Tudno ward, has had an interest in the site for twenty years, and he welcomed the move by Cadw to place statutory protection on the area.
He said “The school was primarily for training gunners who would then go on to man gunneries across the country and throughout the British Empire, including places like Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, and Singapore.
“Many of the training staff married local girls - some either stayed here, or retired back to Llandudno.”