Second World War pillbox, west of River Stour (EHER 20083)

The site of a Second World War reinforced concrete, thick-walled Type 27 pillbox with red brick facing. The monument contains steel machine gun mounts, square vents and steel camouflage net supports still in place although bent. The entrance faces towards the north-west. It is located on the north bank of the River Stour, north of Withindale Mill.

1998. Field visit. Standing on the west bank of the River Stour is a brick and concrete, hexagonal pillbox. It measures 21’6 across and has a central anti-aircraft machine-gun well with cylindrical mounting pedestal and steel fittings. Each side of the well (two in total) is a 7 high metal pipe. These acted as mounting points for steel cross members (two) across the pillbox. The purpose of these is unknown, although they may have been runners for a cover across the well. The entrance to the pillbox is on the WNW face. This pillbox is thought to be the northernmost Eastern Command Line pillbox in Essex before the line crosses the river to continue along the railway embankment into Suffolk. <1> NRHE data transfer: Thick-walled type 27 pillbox, with red brick facing. Steel Machine Gun mounts. Square vents. Steel camouflage net supports still in place although bent. Steel embrasure surrounds. Entrance faces north-west. On north bank of River Stour, 150m north of Wintindale Mill. <2>