Second World War Spigot mortar emplacement, Norsey Road, Billericay (EHER 21010)

A Second World War concrete and steel Spigot mortar base located near Norsey Road on the top of the railway embankment.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: At the top of the railway embankment, immediately to the east of the Norsey Road bridge is a Home Guard spigot mortar emplacement. It is sited in rough woodland between public gardens on its south side and the embankment a few yards away to the north. In this position it would have acted alongside the road barrier (SMR 21009) to guard against an enemy crossing the bridge. The emplacement is typical in form. An octagonal pit, in this case brick-lined, has at its centre a 3’6” circular pedestal surmounted by the stainless steel mounting pintle. To complete the structure an L-shaped trench leads off, again brick-lined. The pit has, over the years, filled up with soil and woodland debris but there is little doubt that it survives intact beneath this covering. Six photos of site. SITE ASSESSMENT This emplacement is in particularly good condition, and as part of the heritage and history of Billericay every effort should be made to ensure its continued survival, ultimately to Scheduled Monument status. <1> - <3>