World War Two Buildings on Rochford Airfield (EHER 20748)

In 2002 a survey by Essex County Council and Rochford Hundred Field Archaeology Group recorded seven Second World War buildings at Rochford Airfield (now London Southend Airport). These included a film assessing hut, one surviving Nissen huts and the concrete base of another, flight offices and rest room, and two latrine/ablutions buildings. Not all parts of the airfield were surveyed and it is likely that other Second World War buildings survive elsewhere on this site.

During the course of the World War Two Defences in Rochford project, a number of surviving Second World War buildings were noted. Using a plan of the airfield dated June 1945, which includes a list of the buildings and structures, and aerial photographs taken in August 1947 it was possible to reliably identify the remains. It was not, however, possible to do a complete survey of the airfield and the following schedule is therefore neither comprehensive nor representative of the total survival but simply those WWII buildings and structures seen to be extant from the limited access available. <1> <2> Nine photos were taken of the buildings. <3> Building No. 64, Picket Post, TQ 8729 8981, Surviving. Brick-built, cement-rendered. Pitched asbestos roof. Building No. 42, Film Assessing Hut, TQ 8756 8907, Surviving. Brick-built hut painted white, pitched asbestos roof. Now 'Overton' building. Building No. 51, Flight Offices and Rest Room, TQ 8756 8928, Surviving. Brick-built, cement rendered. Painted white, pitched asbestos roof. Now Vulcan Restoration Trust building. Building No. 72, Latrine and Drying Room, TQ 8757 8930, Surviving. Brick-built. Flat concrete roof. Steel-framed windows. Poor condition. Building No. 41, Film Assessing Room, Store and Office, TQ 8757 8933, Concrete base only. Originally a Nissen hut. Building No. 22, Barrack Hut, TQ 8666 8889, Surviving Nissen hut. Now Southend Flying Club building. Building No. 23, Ablutions, TQ 8669 8888, Surviving latrine. Brick-built. See <4> and <5>. NRHE data import: A Second World War 'Defence shelter' located at RAF Rochford (Southend) Airfield. <4>