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If you look carefully at the top, you will notice what appears to be a small lighter area of stonework let into the column, just below the cap that supports the copper urn. At one time I wondered if this was another plaque, or just a repair that has been made to the column.
The Earl of Cardigan who owns Savernake forest, contacted me to say it is indeed the result of a repair done in the 1980's.









At the same time the copper urn was removed for restoration, which became necessary after it had been used for target practice during the second world war. The area at that time was used by visiting American forces, who it seemed, had an excess of ammunition to use up.

The use of Savernake Forest in those times, along with some photographs is covered in Roger Day's site 'Ramsbury at War'. Whilst the role of the area is best summed up in the Earl of Cardigan's own words taken from a corrospondance I had with him.


"large numbers of American officers were billeted in Tottenham House for several years during the War, and numbers of troops were based out in the forest, which was turned into one vast ammo dump, the thinking being that it was handy for Salisbury Plain where they practiced their manoeuvres before D-Day, and more importantly the thick canopy of the trees overhead would shield what was going on from any passing German reconnaissance aircraft".

Co-Ords: 422930 164800 / SU 229648  

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