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Matilda Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Plugster-uk: Thanks for the heads up. Matilda is no more

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Hidden : 12/20/2011
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This is a fairly simple cache on Gillingham business park, which used to be Fort Darland.

Fort Darland was a Post Medieval Infantry Fort built from 1870 to 1900 as part of the defensive network for Chatham Dockyard.[1] It was demolished in the 1960s and the site used for housing. Some earthworks and encasement remain and are visible on aerial photographs.

During the Second World War Fort Darland was a British Army detention centre. The camp was one of twelve military detention centres in England, Scotland, and the Orkney and Shetland Islands. First and second-time offenders were sent to seven of the twelve prisons. Fort Darland drew Parliamentary attention after Rifleman William Clarence Clayton perished while incarcerated; two British Army Warrant Officers were criminally charged after an investigation into Clayton's death.

In addition to British Army personnel being incarcerated, members of the Canadian Army were also sentenced to Fort Darland upon conviction of first-time offences, usually sent up by their Commanding officers.

Prior to Fort Darland becoming a detention centre it was a "Army Technical school" for (boys) built in 1938 and opened for its first intake in March 1939 it served as a school for both Royal Engineer and Royal Artillery enlisted boys. In 1940 during the Dunkirk evacuation the school became a transit camp for men returning from France the boys having been sent home and subsequently to other Army schools.

After the war the fort's tunnels were used as a mushroom farm.

Now, Gillingham Business Park, all the roads are named after machinery which the Royal Engineers would be very familiar with, Bailey Drive, Scimitar Close, Saracen close, Chieftain Close and Matilda Close. Matilda tanks were heavily armoured tanks but with a relatively small gun and were often adapted for specific jobs like mine clearing.
This cache is placed alongside Matilda Close and is hiding in a Caterpillar Dozer that has been placed alongside a plaque to commemorate Fort Darland and the Royal Engineer Trainees, 'The Darland Boys' .
Cache is a magnetic micro which has a log book but no pen. Please be aware of passing muggles and hide as found please.
Parking in Matilda Close and a further cache close by to follow soon.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Uvqqra nobir bar bs gur erq fcvxrf

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)