Second World War cantilever pillbox, west of Rochford Airfield (now London Southend Airport) (EHER 20713)

A Second World War cantilevered type pillbox. It is a brick and concrete mushroom-shaped pillbox consisting of a circular pit with walls about 3 foot high and a domed cantilevered roof springing from a central pillar, thus affording all-round visibility. It is located on the north side of the Lancaster Business Park on the western perimeter of London Southend Airport.

April 2003. World War Two Defences in Rochford survey: site visit and desktop research. Standing on the east edge of a field, to the west of Rochford Airfield, is an F.C. Construction Co. 'cantilever' pillbox. These were built for airfield defence and consist of a completely circular pit, 4’6" deep x 20’ diameter, with a brick-built central pillar some 6’6" high. On top of this is mounted a massive concrete dish in the form of an upside-down saucer. This leaves a 9" gap at shoulder height round the entire circumference giving a 360 degree field of fire. In the centre of this example, on top of the pillbox, is a steel pin although its purpose is unknown. <1> 'Cantilevers', though rare, have been found to survive well. This example is no exception and remains in good condition. <2> Two photos of site. <3> Site assessment: 'Cantilever' pillboxes belong to a type quite unlike hexagonal or octagonal types. They are known to be rare in Essex; no more than a handful still survive. Every effort should be made to ensure the continued survival of this, and other, examples ultimately to Scheduled Monument status. <2> NRHE data transfer: 1995-2002. Defence of Britain survey. Cantilevered type pillbox. Made of concrete with brick shuttering and central brick pillar. FC Construction pillbox: mushroom-shaped pillbox consisting of a circular pit with walls about 3ft high and a domed cantilevered roof springing from a central pillar, thus affording all-round visibility. LOCATION: RAF Rochford. <4> <5> NRHE summary description: A Second World War cantilevered type pillbox. It is a brick and concrete mushroom-shaped pillbox consisting of a circular pit with walls about 3 foot high and a domed cantilevered roof springing from a central pillar, thus affording all-round visibility. It is located on the north side of the Lancaster Business Park on the western perimeter of London Southend Airport.