WW2 Canadian Graffiti (Michelham Priory) Mystery Cache

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LostInTheWoods!: I will collect the cache the next time that I am passing.

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Hidden : 7/13/2016
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

The cache is a 35mm film pot placed approximately 0.5m above ground level.

The published co-ordinates are for the Gate House at Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, near Eastbourne.

Please be aware that there is a significant charge to visit Michelham Priory.

Thankfully, you do not need to pay this charge in order to find the cache.

Please don't include any spoilers in your logs.

WW2 Canadian Graffiti (source: (visit link) )
Michelham Priory played host to the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade in 1941, then to British troops, the 165th Infantry Brigade. On 14th October 1941 the 5th Canadians returned to the area, with Michelham as the Officers Mess. They stayed through to 31st July 1942, in the build up to the Dieppe raid of 19th August 1942. The 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade was here for a week, to be replaced by the 9th Field Ambulance RCAMC, then the 5th Field Ambulance RCAMC until 5th May 1943 when the Canadians finally left Michelham. They left behind the wiring in the Gatehouse and at the very top of the gatehouse stairs many of the men stationed here wrote their names on the wall.

There is a plan scratched on the first floor wall, showing the Channel coast, drawn by Corporal Robert Johnson of Calgary, who was at Michelham in 1941-2. It was said to have been drawn in connection with the briefing of troops and the study of cross-Channel reconnaissance raids while the Canadian forces were in charge of the defence of south-east England. He was based in Upper Dicker but recalled: "We used only part of the Priory, the remainder was closed to us. It was cold and drafty that winter, and our army boots made quite a clatter on the floors. All rooms were bare, any furnishings having been removed for safe keeping. ...We all thought it would be a great idea to hide in the chimney if the Germans were to arrive. We would then open up the panel and 'Bop' them on the head as they came up the stairs. The Gate House was used as a guard post and the upstairs room where the map of Sussex is now located served as the Guard Room."

After the Canadians, Michelham was the headquarters of the East Sussex Sub-District of the Home Guard, with
the 20th Sussex (Hailsham) Battalion, commanded by Lt Col F G Crompton, helped by mobile kitchens donated by the Canadian Red Cross. It stood down on 1st November 1944. The Home Guard was followed by Army signals, and photographs survive of the Home Guard and the ATS here.

Medieval graffiti:
It has been reported that medieval graffiti has also been found.

These may be the Masons' Marks left by the builders.

Some, however, say that it is a secret code that leads to a treasure.

View the attached photo of the medieval graffiti, and decide for yourself.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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