Site of Second World War heavy anti-aircraft gun site, Hall Road, Stroud Green, Rochford (EHER 20709)

Now destroyed. The site of a heavy anti-aircraft gun site in the corner of a field to the east of Hall Road, Stroud Green. An aerial photograph from May 1946 shows it consisted of four square enclosures, laid out in a 'V-shape', with the point facing east. In the corner of each enclosure was an external, but integral, ammunition alcove. In the centre of the formation, the command post is clearly visible. The site was constructed between 9 March 1942 and 13 February 1943 but it is probable that it was never operational. It had been demolished by 1960 and nothing remained when the site was visited in 2002.

November 2002. World War Two Defences in Rochford survey: site visit and desktop research. An aerial photograph taken in May 1946 shows the pattern of a heavy anti-aircraft gun site in the corner of a field to the east of Hall Road, Stroud Green. There are four square enclosures, of the 'right' size, laid out in a 'V' with the point facing east. In the corner of each enclosure is an external, but integral, ammunition alcove. In the centre of the formation, the command post, with typical open enclosures for the height finder, predictor and spotters, is clearly visible. The four gun enclosures have open gates on their west sides. From the shadows, it appears that each of the other three sides were earth-banked. No on-site magazines, gun stores or accommodation huts are apparent. Surviving wartime Heavy Anti-Aircraft Gun site records, mostly dating from the early wartime years, have been found to be reliably comprehensive, but make no mention of this Rochford site. Study of wartime aerial photography at the National Monuments Record, Swindon, shows that the site was, in fact, constructed between 9 March 1942 and 13 February 1943. Two other sites of this type, with the same shape of enclosure, were at Bradwell Wick (EHER 10641) and Leigh-on-Sea (EHER 20319). Like the site at Rochford, neither are listed in early wartime records and both were found, from wartime aerial photography, to have been built in the latter half of the war. From the absence of any supporting services or accommodation it is probable that none of the three were ever operational. <1> - <4> An aerial photograph taken in June 1960 shows the Rochford site to have been demolished by that date, with soil marks and some scattered remains. <5> In November 2002, nothing remains of the site. Field hedges have been taken up and the area is now open agricultural land. <6> One photo. <7> Note: The site is situated to the east of a Second World War floodlight, see EHER 20708.