Bridge, mined during Second World War, Golf Green Road, Jaywick (EHER 21405)

This bridge was mined during Second World War.

Article, 1961 In 1961, an article appeared in the East Essex Gazette under the heading, “Invasion mines are being dug up”. The text, in full, read as follows, “Anti-invasion mines laid in 1940, are being sought by army and navy detachments at St. Osyth and Jaywick. The mines - made from naval depth charges - were placed in readiness to blow up roads and bridges leading from the coast. Lieutenant Hall, of 36 Corps Engineer Regiment, stationed at Maidstone, Kent, is in charge of the six army men. He said, "there is absolutely no danger to the public whatsoever as the mines are not charged and will not fire." A mine detector is passed over areas shown by army records to have been mined and whenever a metal object is registered digging begins. When a mine is located and uncovered a crane from Colchester Garrison lifts it and it is then taken away by a naval unit from H.M.S. Vernon, under Lieutenant-Commander McLanahan, for the explosive to be burnt out. On Wednesday a 300lb. depth charge was located in a drainage well in Golf Green-road, Jaywick. After laborious removal of sand and rotted sand-bags, the mine was raised by crane and removed for disposal. It is believed there are about 20 mines in the area. Their presence has been known to the authorities but as they presented no danger they have been left until now". <1> A picture on page 12 showed the charge, like an oil drum, perhaps 2'6" high x 18" in diameter, being lifted by ropes from a crane. It was probably of the same pattern as that recorded in Meadow Way (EHER 21406). OS map A 1954 1:2,500 O.S. map shows a brook paralleling the coast, some 600 yards inland, running across the nearby golf course, through the estate of houses here and thence westwards. There are only two crossings for vehicles, this bridge on Meadow Way and another on Golf Green Road (see EHER 21406). <2> Site visit by Fred Nash in 2011 Visited in April 2011, the brook and bridge still survive, appearing much as they must have done in 1940/1941. The brook runs through the houses and beneath the road. Now reed-filled, it lies in a steep-banked cutting, presenting an effective anti-tank barrier. The bridge, crossed by regular traffic, is very substantial, built of solid concrete with steel railings each side.<4> One photo of site. <3>