Second World War pillbox, west of Rochford Airfield (now London Southend Airport) (EHER 20710)

At the edge of a field west of Rochford Airfield is a Type FW3/22 concrete pillbox.

April 2003. World War Two Defences in Rochford survey: site visit and desktop research. At the edge of a field west of Rochford Airfield is a Type FW3/22 concrete pillbox. The width across opposite flat faces is 13’ and each of the six faces is 7’6” long. The entrance is on the north side. Inside, there is a central 'Y-shaped' pillar. The loopholes are of the 'normal' size for the type, 12” high x 10” wide. The pillbox is generally in good condition. <1> <2> One photo of site. <3> Site assessment: As one of a number of surviving pillboxes which defended Rochford Airfield during World War Two this pillbox is part of the history and heritage of the area. It is known that the total complement included various types. This FW3/22 is typical of its pattern and every effort should be made to ensure its continued survival, ultimately to Scheduled Monument status. <2> NRHE data transfer, 1410928: 1995-2002. Defence of Britain survey. Hexagonal pillbox. LOCATION: Cherry Orchard, SW of old brickworks. <4> <5> NRHE summary description: The site of a Second World War hexagonal brick and concrete pillbox to the west of London Southend Airport. Note: The NRHE record and source <4> describe the pillbox as 'brick and concrete'. Source <2> does not mention brick and source <6> has several images of the pillbox but these similarly do not show any brick in it's construction. This may be an error in the description provided by source <4> or it is possible that the pillbox once had a brick element (which was present when visited by the Defence of Britain surveyor in 1999) which had been removed by the time of the World War Two Defences in Rochford survey in 2003. NRHE data transfer, 1421213: 1995-2002. Defence of Britain survey. Type 22 pillbox, with steel shutters to sides of embrasures. LOCATION: RAF Rochford. <4> <5> NRHE summary description: The site of a Second World War type-22 reinforced concrete pillbox with steel shutters to sides of embrasures located on the north-west perimeter of former RAF Rochford. Note: Source <6> identifies the Defence of Britain record S0006767 (recorded in NRHE 1421213) as a probable duplicate of the Defence of Britain record S0006798 (recorded in NRHE 1410928). Both are equivalent to this EHER record.