Second World War pillbox at Edgars Farm (EHER 20057)

Second World War Type 27 pillbox. Near railway line and river, on Essex/Suffolk border, south-east of Lamarsh.

1997. Field visit. On a grassy bank overlooking the River Stour 25 yards away, is an hexagonal, concrete pillbox. It is 16’5 wide with an L-shaped, low entrance on the SSW side. Unusually, the walls are just 14 thick the normal minimum being 15. On the roof there is an anti-aircraft machine-gun well with a concrete mounting pedestal but no steel fittings. Concreted into the roof, with the well between them, are two long steel rails. It is possible that these were used for well covers the covers being slid back along the rails. Inside, steel shelf brackets still remain in situ. This pillbox is interesting for its recent history. 3 or 4 hand grenades were found on the farm possibly hidden by the Home Guard. A Bomb Disposal Team blew up the grenades with an explosive charge inside the pillbox. This resulted in 5 of the 6 steel surrounds to the loopholes being blown off although there was hardly any damage to the concrete structure. Four photos of site. <1> <2> NRHE data transfer: Type 27 pillbox. Near railway line and river, on Essex/Suffolk border, South-East of Lamarsh. <3>