Monument record BCC 023 - Boney's Island; Bonaparte's Island (1838) (PMed)

Boney's Island. Formerly `Bonaparte's Island' (S1), said to be a prisoner of war camp during the Napoleonic Wars (S2). However there is no documentary evidence to support this claim. The only sources (checked) that refer to Napoleonic prisoners of war in Beccles relates to 15 officers in 1796, who were on parole (Beccles was a parole town) and would not have been imprisoned but would have been entrusted to their word (S4)(S5). Presumably a jocular usage relating to an isolated `island'.
The island is roughly oval and does appear to be an artificial construction. Date and function unknown. It is shown on the 1st edition map (S1) with a building at with a building at TM 4309 9086 (approx). The Rangers (?) cottage still stands at this location. 1:2500 scale maps show an earthwork ditch on the SW side of the `island' with a causeway leading to the cottage. Within area of Beccles Race Course in 1838. 1995: Proposals to excavate island for bottles (1930s/1940s town dump) by (see 'Not to be published on web' tab for finder/s and/or findspot/s) accepted by Beccles Town Council. Details in (S3).
Also listed under Iron Age.