Site of a Second World War pillbox, Wallasea Island, Canewdon (EHER 20787)

Now destroyed. The site of a possible concrete pentagonal pillbox, at the base of the earthen seawall on Wallasea Island, suggested from an aerial photograph. It was noted during a site visit in 2003 that little remained of the structure, but that a pillbox probably stood here.

October 2003. World War Two Defences in Rochford survey. An aerial photograph taken in May 1946 shows what looks like a pentagonal pillbox, with its entrance on the South side, at the base of the earthen seawall on Wallasea Island. This position overlooks the wide expanse of the River Crouch towards Burnham on the other side and would have been a natural siting for such a defence work. However, although the image is clear, pentagonal pillboxes are very rare and for this reason alone there must remain some doubt about the identification. <1> Later aerial photographs show the structure slowly deteriorating and during a site visit in 2003, it was noted that little remains. Part of a concrete base, set on concrete blocks is still there, although it is difficult to relate this to the 1946 photo image. Confusingly, while the photo shows five obtuse angles the extant concrete shows a right angle. However, reinforcement rods are usually a sure confirmatory sign and one of these does project from the base. On balance, it is considered that a World War Two pillbox did indeed stand here, probably on top of the extant concrete base rather than the base being built as an integral part of the pillbox. <2> One photo. <3>