Second World War pillbox at Bowers Marshes (EHER 20092)
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Summary
It is constructed of concrete and measures 15 feet wide x 14 feet front to back with 3 feet 6 inch thick walls. There are three small loopholes, each 9 feet x 6 feet. On the west side a blast wall protects the entrance. Pillbox and blast wall stand on a raft of concrete but this has broken across and the blast wall now leans outwards.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TQ 7507 8732 (5m by 4m) |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | BOWERS GIFFORD AND NORTH BENFLEET, BASILDON, ESSEX |
Type and Period
Description
The anti-tank ditch of the GHQ Line originated on the north side of a watercourse on the Bowers Marshes at TQ 7490 8718. It headed east to TQ 7509 8713 before turning NNE to cross the railway line at TQ 7517 8737. There is now only a slight depression showing the original course of the ditch and some 60 yards to the west of this, backing on to a drainage ditch, a rectangular infantry pillbox looks out across rough pasture land.
It is constructed of concrete and measures 15 feet wide x 14 feet front to back with 3 feet 6 inch thick walls. There are three small loopholes, each 9 feet x 6 feet. On the west side a blast wall protects the entrance. Pillbox and blast wall stand on a raft of concrete but this has broken across and the blast wall now leans outwards. <1>
One photo of site. <2>
NRHE data transfer:
Type 22 pillbox. North of railway at Bowers Marsh. <3>
Sources
Other References
- NRHE identifier: 1421866
- National Monuments Record: TQ 78 NE 27