Second World War pillbox on the north bank of the River Roach, Stambridge (EHER 20791)

A Second World War six-sided concrete pillbox, now built into the sea wall on the north bank of the River Roach.

2003. World War Two Defences in Rochford survey: site visit and desktop research. At this point, the River Roach runs through a wide, flat landscape between the parishes of Barling Magna and Stambridge. Both sides are protected from flooding by grassy seawalls. On the north bank, half-sunken into the seawall, is a Type FW3/22 pillbox capping a small promontory. It is hexagonal, built of concrete, with its entrance in the north face. The width of the pillbox, across opposite sides, is 12’8” and each face measures 7’4” in length. The thickness of the side walls is 15”. There is one loophole in each of the forward five faces, each measuring 12” high x 10” wide, with steel side pieces. Each firing aperture fans out to 23” wide at the external face and similarly fans out to the internal face. On the rear face there is one small loophole on each side of the entrance. While the larger forward facing loopholes were intended for machine-guns and rifle defence, the smaller rear-wall type were for hand-held revolver use against a close attack on the entrance. In the interior, there is a central 'Y-shaped' pillar built of concrete blocks. This was constructed more to counter incoming bullets rather than to support the roof. Here, the River Roach is 200/300 foot wide and a jetty can be seen on the south bank. This may, during the 1940s have been a recognised crossing place. As the entrance to the pillbox is on the landward face, it is probable that it was sited here to protect against such a crossing by enemy troops. In 2003, although the side of the pillbox facing the river is a full 7’7” high projecting from the seawall, the north face, built into the body of the seawall, is just 3’ high. From this face it is therefore difficult to gain a line-of-sight through the loopholes landwards. However, it is clear that at some time the seawall has been built up and it is probable that at the time of its construction the pillbox could have covered not only the river crossing but also a wide expanse of the flat lands northwards. The pillbox, a typical FW3/22 pattern, is in particularly good condition with no signs of vandalism and little sign of deterioration. <1> Three photos. <2> <3> NRHE data transfer: 1995-2002. Defence of Britain survey. Pillbox, 6 sided, now built into seawall. LOCATION: On the seawall, north bank of the River Roach, Stambridge. <4> <5> Note: The NRHE record incorrectly maps this pillbox to TQ 92555 91005.