Site of Second World War loopholes, West House, Kings Road (EHER 21286)

Now destroyed. Loopholes are recorded as being located in the rear wall of a stable building at West House. Comparison of the 3rd ed OS mapping with modern mapping and imagery has suggested this to be No. 1 Kings Road, and the location of the loopholes is just to the South of the property.

October 2008. World War Two Defences in Maldon survey. Contemporary records state, ‘Loopholes in rear wall of stable, West House. Map ref. 401182.’ (Mil. Ed.). <1> West House stood on the West corner of High Street and King’s Road but the house has now gone and the grounds are the houses of West House Estate. It is not known where the stables stood, possibly near the house, close to King’s Road. <2> Note: a comparison of the modern base mapping, historic Google Earth imagery, and the 3rd ed OS map suggests that the property on the West side of the junction between Kings Road and High Street, No.1 Kings Road, is the same property as detailed on the 3rd ed OS map, West House. The map shows two ancillary buildings which back onto Kings Road, and it is probable the loopholes were attached to one of these two properties. The location provided is in closest proximity to the Southernmost of the two buildings, and it is reasonable to suggest this is the stables. <3> <4> <5>