Site of Second World War HAA Gun Site “TN18 Aveley”, Thurrock (EHER 21470)

The site of a Second World War heavy anti-aircraft gun site at Aveley. It was listed as unarmed in 1942.

Documented in contemporary records as “TN18 Aveley”, a WWII Heavy Anti-Aircraft gun site at Military Grid Reference R 020983. Equipment and manning at the site is documented at various dates. It was listed as unarmed in 1942. <1> <2> Manning Dates Guns Radar Regt Bty Feb 1940 30 Apr 1940 unmanned 8 Jul 1940 22 Jun 1942 unarmed An aerial photograph taken in April 1944 shows a wide open field to the SE of Aveley. In this, there are three earthen, circular emplacements. This is the early form of HAA emplacements. Within the half-circle there are three smaller pits, linked together. These were probably for the spotters, height finder, etc. Dotted around at a distance are very small weapons pits for guarding the site against ground attack. 100 yards to the SE there are around 12 pitched roof huts. From these, a made-up track leads to the guns. <3> An aerial photograph taken in May 1946 shows that the site was never developed beyond the early primitive form. <4> In November 2012, the site is now a service area alongside the M25 motorway.