Second World War pillbox and gun emplacement on the south side of Gardeners Lane (EHER 20782)

A Second World War Type 22 pillbox, of variant form, with anti-aircraft mounting. This formed part of the defensive perimeter of RAF Canewdon radar station (EHER 19574 and EHER 19575). South of Canewdon village on a small winding road.

July 2003. World War Two Defences in Rochford survey: site visit and desktop research. On the south side of Gardeners Lane stands an unusual combination of pillbox and gun emplacement. The bottom of the structure is a standard FW3/22 pillbox – concrete, hexagonal, 15” thick, 12” x 10” loopholes (two slit-type on the rear face), 'Y-shaped' central pillar and an entrance on the north-west side. However, on top of the pillbox a gun emplacement has been built, complete with mounting pedestal. <1> This gun emplacement is built of brick. It is octagonal sitting within the limits of the 12’2” diameter of the hexagonal roof. The outside walling is two feet high. Inside this an octagonal concrete platform has been laid, stepped down. From this, three 2” pipes project horizontally beyond the outer walls of the pillbox to provide drainage. The diameter of the platform is 6’6”. In the centre of the platform is a surviving steel gun mounting pedestal. This is 4’ high, circular in plan, tapering from a base diameter of approximately 2’ to a top diameter of 7”. Around the top, six bolts are arranged around the mounting plate. It is not known for which gun this emplacement was built but local memory recalls it as four-barrelled. This suggests that it was probably a 2-pounder Vickers pom-pom, a quick-firing anti-aircraft gun, used widely on Royal Navy ships during World War Two. It is probable that the walling around the gun was higher during the war, affording more protection than is now apparent. <2> Six photos. <3> <4> Site assessment: In addition to the historical and group value importance of the Canewdon Radar Station pillboxes, pillboxes equipped with steel gun mounting pedestals are very rare. At the time of compiling this report, with over 400 extant pillboxes so far recorded in Essex, this is the sole example. Every effort should be made to ensure its continued survival, ultimately to Scheduled Monument status. <4> January 2012. Site visit and desktop research. Following advice from a member of the public it now appears likely that the emplacement on top of the pillbox was not, in fact, for a 2-pounder Vickers pom-pom, which weighed several tons. 'The surviving cone and the surrounding stepping is suggestive of a 20mm Oerlikon. The gunner was strapped in to shoulder yokes and used his body to control the movement of the gun. The steps were to walk up as the gun was depressed, allowing easier movement.' A photograph on the internet shows such a gun, on what appears to be the same pattern mounting pedestal, on a Royal Navy ship. <5> NRHE data transfer: 1995-2002. Defence of Britain survey. Type 22 pillbox, with variants. The ground plan is of standard construction, but an AA (anti-aircraft) mounting [?] has been added on the roof and a brick parapet built. There is an internal blast wall, but none external. Small holes either side of the doorway suggest it once had a metal door. Faces west. Although there is no immediate or obvious threat to this pillbox, two other pillboxes in the area have been partially destroyed in recent months [2000/2001]. South of Canewdon village on small winding road. [Site location plan drawn on form]. <6> <7>