Second World War Type FW3/22 pillbox on the seawall at Paglesham Eastend (EHER 20803)

A Second World War concrete pillbox located at the junction of the River Reach and Paglesham Pool.

December 20032. World War Two Defences in Rochford survey: site visit and desktop research. The parish of Paglesham lies between Paglesham Pool to its north and the River Roach to its south. Where these two rivers diverge, stands a Type FW3/22 pillbox high on the grassy seawall at the extreme easternmost point of the parish. Here, the pillbox dominates not only the river approaches but the flat lands to the west. It is hexagonal and constructed of concrete, and the entrance is on the west face. It is probable that the seawall has been built up since the construction of the pillbox as the surface level around the structure now reaches almost up to the loopholes. This has, additionally, made entry somewhat unusual as it is now necessary to jump down some 2 feet from the present level into the pillbox, either side of the central pillar. <1> Aerial photographs from May 1946 show that at that time the pillbox was camouflaged with a false pitched roof, clearly added to make it look like a fisherman’s hut. <2> <3> Two photos of site. <4> <5> NRHE data transfer: 1995-2002. Defence of Britain survey. Pillbox, no specification. LOCATION: At junction of River Reach and Paglesham Pool, on seawall. <6> <7>