Second World War pillbox, Warner's Bridge, Westcliff-on-Sea (EHER 20366)

A Second World War type 22 pillbox at RAF Rochford.

February 2000. World War Two Defences in Southend survey: site visit and desktop research. One of the many pillboxes which once guarded Southend airfield still stands on the road embankment 100 yards west of Warner's Bridge. It is a Type FW3/22, built of concrete with walls 15" thick. Measuring 12' 6" across, it has six equal length sides of 7' 3". Each of the five 'forward' faces has a 10" wide x 12" high loophole with side pieces of steel. The entrance, with a small loophole each side, is on the north-east face which, being the considered 'rear', means that it was sited primarily to fire down the road approach from the south-west, of which it has a commanding view. <1> <2> Five photos. <3> Site assessment: Southend Airport was guarded by a great many pillboxes of varying types during World War Two. At the time of compiling this record it is not known how many still survive. Until a complete survey of the area's extant defence works has been undertaken and a formulated policy on protection of WWII defences has been statutorily considered, this pillbox, which is a good example in its own right of an FW3/22, should be protected through the planning process. <2> NRHE data transfer: 1995-2002. Defence of Britain survey. Type 22 pillbox. LOCATION: RAF Rochford. <4> <5>