Second World War Pickett-Hamilton Fort, Rochford Airfield (now London Southend Airport) (EHER 20746)

A Second World War Pickett Hamilton Fort at Southend Airport, which is thought to be in perfect working order.

2003. World War Two Defences in Rochford survey: desktop research. Three Pickett-Hamilton forts were installed at Rochford Airfield during World War Two. Two of them are thought to still survive (this record and EHER 20745). One is thought to have been demolished (EHER 20747). The positions of all three can be determined from a plan of the airfield dated June 1945 and low level aerial photographs taken in August 1947. <1> <2> An article in the Yellow Advertiser dated 4 August 1989 refers to two Pickett-Hamiltons being found at Rochford Airfield. The article concentrates on the example which was raised and of which photographs were taken (EHER 20745). However, reference is made of an earlier find which was, apparently, 'badly damaged'. This must have been the Pickett-Hamilton at TQ 8729 8938. <3> It has not been possible to access the site and the extent of any damage is therefore not known. <4> SITE ASSESSMENT. Developed to solve a particular defence problem during World War Two, Pickett-Hamilton forts were never plentiful – a total of 335 are thought to have been installed across the entire country – and they are now very rare. There can be no more than a handful still surviving in Essex. As such, they are natural subjects for statutory protection. The level of “damage” will need to be assessed with a view to its ultimate protection as a Scheduled Monument. NRHE data transfer: 1995-2002. Defence of Britain survey. Pickett Hamilton Fort at Southend Airport, in perfect working order. Information from item in newspaper, sent in by recorder. LOCATION: Southend Airport. <5> <6> NRHE summary description: The site of a Second World War Pickett Hamilton Fort at Southend Airport, in perfect working order.