THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE - Cissbury Relics

THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE — www.findonvillage.com created by Valerie Martin, contains scenes from her home village of Findon, West Sussex, U.K.

CISSBURY RELICS

What are these.... and where do you think they were discovered sixty-five years after the event?

15th June 2005

Hi Val...puzzle

They are empty 303 cases,and perhaps a shell/mortar safety cap.

Where did you find them...In your handbag?...In your garden....More like on the Downs?

I found mine in the river at Shermanbury, somebody must have thrown them off the bridge at high tide, and forgot it went out.

We used to prise the bullet part out and set light to the cordite. Boys will be Boys, even at 30.

As you know about these things, what are these huge hornet/wasp things that come into the house and do they sting?

Mike

Mike Hinton, Findon Village, West Sussex.

I am very flattered that you seem to think I know everything, Mike. Do your little wildlife friends look like this impressive insect.... about 30 mm in length? If so, it is our largest wasp... a hornet.

I agree they tend to scare most people but they are, in fact, supposed to be docile. They are most active from June - September. and have this unwarranted reputation and although their sting is a bit painful, they rarely use it unless under extreme provocation.

So the motto is, leave the little beasties alone.

Don't panic when you see one! Don't go into the attack.

They like wooded areas and nesting in dead trees.... so I guess that is why you have some near you.

Ah! I nearly forgot .... the puzzle.......

Yes, these are spent gun cartridges dating from the Second World War... the dates on them range from 1940-42..... but you didn't make a guess as to where they were found, Mike. Yes, "the downs"..... but where would be a likely place where soldier were firing off rounds of ammunition?

I was not quite sure where the centre cap fitted into the equation and was hoping someone would help me.... being a shell/mortar cap sounds quite probable.

Another "Mike" then came with the location answer for me ...

15th June 2005

Dear Valerie

Puzzle

0.303 brass cartridge cases ... a mixture of normal and blanks ... all fired, surrounding the nose cap off a two inch mortar bomb.

Probably all found on Cissbury, in Stump Bottom and in Canada Bottom.

They just look rather familiar!

With all good wishes ................. Mike.

Mike Cooksey, Bristol.

The answer is, of course, yes Cissbury Ring...... the home of the military during the Second World War.

15th June 2005

Hi Valerie

They are 303 cal rifle cases probably stamped RG for Radway Greenway the maker also a year date.

regards to all Tony Price

As far as I can make out, the cases clearly read ...

W.R.A. 1942 303

K 1940 V11

...although, of course, the dates vary.

16th June 2005

Hi Valerie

W. R. A. is I think Woolich Royal Arsenal,

K 1940 V11 could be American made and refers to mark V11i ammo.

regards to all Tony Price

Continue if you would like to read about a find on Cissbury Ring in August 2005...... entitled Mortar on the Western Escarpment.

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E-mail: valeriemartin@findonvillage.com