Second World War spigot mortar emplacement, south side of Water Lane, Debden (EHER 21514)

A Second World War spigot mortar gun emplacement near the former Debden military airfield site (now Carver Barracks), in the vicinity of Fox Cottage, south west from the main flying field area. It formed part of the former Royal Air Force Debden's defences. The installation features a concrete pedestal for mounting a mortar, surrounded by the emplacement. It is thought to have been constructed in 1941. The pedestal with its stainless steel pintle is in good condition.

Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import: Water Lane runs through a steep-sided cutting, climbing west to east. On the south side the bank is wooded. A few yards from the road, on the south side, a spigot mortar emplacement has been cut into the bank. Although now partly overgrown, with some of the surrounding ammunition lockers having collapsed, the 3' 6" diameter pedestal with its stainless steel pintle is in good condition. It appears that the builders, having cut a flat area out of the bank, laid a thick concrete base, which is revealed in part. On this, the pedestal was mounted with an unknown number of lockers; just one of these now survives on the south side. This is built of brick with a slabbed concrete cover. Behind the emplacement there is a brick-built culvert. It is not known if this was built at the same time as the emplacement to channel water away. Eleven photos taken of site. <1> <2>