Second World War Loopholes, Water Works, Manningtree (EHER 21591)

World War Two loopholes are in a brick wall. There is a curving brick wall to the side of the entrance of the waterworks and in this wall there are two Home Guard loopholes. They are around 6 feet high off the ground measuring 6 by 23 inches tapering down to 10 inches and 6 by 13 inches tapering down to 8inches. From this position they directly face across the road, and through the railway tunnel towards the centre of town.

The Affinity Water Works lie on the south side of the Mill which runs parallel to the railway line. The entrance to the works faces a bridge through which the road runs. There is a curving brick wall to the side of the entrance and in this wall there are two Home Guard loopholes. They are around 6 feet high off the ground measuring 6 by 23 inches tapering down to 10 inches and 6 by 13 inches tapering down to 8inches. From this position they directly face across the road, and through the railway tunnel towards the centre of town. Site Assessment: Home Guard loopholes are rare in Essex and often go unrecognized for what they are. They are natural subjects for preservation and every effort should be made to statutorily protect these, ultimately to Scheduled Monument status.