Restricted areas

[Top-of-the-hill]

   I am trying to find out about the restricted areas of East Kent in WW2. I have found mention of a "five mile from the coast" zone, but have also heard tales of check points for entry somewhat further away from the coast, maybe 12 miles. How would it have operated? Could every road have been guarded?

[KGarrad]

Probably much like the villages of Imber and Tyneham?
Both taken over by the military, and still closed today.
Also Langford, Norfolk. and Mynydd Epynt, Powys.

[Top-of-the-hill]

  No, not like Imber - life definitely carried on in the area.

[KGarrad]

East Kent Dry Training Area?
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/south-east-england-public-access-to-military-areas#east-kent-dry-training-area

Inland from Hythe and Dover.

[Top-of-the-hill]

  I think that is the current training area?

[KGarrad]

Sandwich Flats?

[Top-of-the-hill]

   I think this was an area where residents had to have permits and visitors (such as my mother once!) had to explain their reason for being there. It was as, far as I can gather, in place for most of the war.

[Rena]

Some of my family lived in the village of Hedon during WWII and I remember   At one time it had its own docks, but long gone in the 20th century.  However, this meant that there were high hedges and signposts stating WAR DEPARTMENT KEEP OUT. .  Along one back lane (at the end of Ketwell Lane)  were basic corrugated iron nissen huts where Italian prisoners of war lived - apparently they worked on local farms.

My grandmother's father was born on the European continent , thus was termed an "alien", as was his English born wife.  They had a permit to live in Hedon but during WWII had to report to the local police station daily. I have a copy of a 1942 police letter which states he died 1942,

 The neighbouring village of Paull, by the banks of the River Humber Estuary  had quite a lot of hidden land.  When restrictions ended in the 1960s it could be seen that there were gun emplacements behind the hedgerows and barbed wire fencing.

For anyone interested in those years of restrictions the East Riding Museum has a webpage for those people:

https://www.eastridingmuseums.co.uk/museums-online/east-riding-at-war/

When I lived in Hedon it was known as the smallest town in England. 
https://whatwashere.org/si_trails/hedon-tour-the-town/

[Top-of-the-hill]

  Thanks for the East Riding at War link, Rena. It didn't solve my problem but is very interesting. It led me on to an Auxilliary Units website with masses of information about them. There was one based quite close to here and I knew 2 of the men involved.