Second World War pillbox, Animal Aid Centre, Little Clacton (EHER 21247)

A Second World War pillbox of unusual shape: square at its NW end and pointed at its SE end, it is five-sided, 20’ 3” long x 11’6” wide. It is very substantial, built of 15” thick concrete with an entrance on the SW side.

WWII Defence of Clacton Contemporary records state, ‘Iron posts and single strand barbed wire on north and telephone wire on east. boundaries of arable section. 4 gun emplacements and pillbox in orchard. Land and orchard east of Apple Tree Inn, Little Clacton. Map ref. 613372’. (Mil. Ed.) <1> Aerial photographs Aerial photographs from 1946 show the Apple Tree Inn on the east side of The Street in the centre of the village. Behind it, there are fields and several small woods and orchards. One of these stretches as a fringe of trees from TM 1662 1907 to TM 1668 1914 and along its south edge what could be the ‘4 gun emplacements’ can be made out. A 1960 aerial photograph shows the trees somewhat thinner and while none of the emplacements can be seen, the outline of a structure in the middle of the belt of trees can now be made out. <2> <3> The site was visited by Fred Nash in 2007. Visited on 2007, the scene has changed considerably. The trees have now gone to be replaced by the grassy paddocks of an animal aid centre. At the edge of one of these paddocks, is the surviving pillbox. This is of an unusual type; shaped square at its NW end and pointed at its SE end, it is five-sided, 20’ 3” long x 11’6” wide. It is very substantial, built of 15” thick concrete with an entrance on the SW side. In each of the two walls which form the point there is a large loophole, 3’ 9” in width x 11” high. These have no flaring but are formed square through the width of the walls. There are no other loopholes. The entire structure is sunk deep into the ground such that only 3’ 9” of it stands above the level of the grass. However, looking through one of the loopholes it is clear that it is full-height inside, at least 6’ high; there is no central pillar. At the time of the site visit it was difficult to assess the interior as this was half-full of waste timber and tarmac parings. It is not known why there should have been such a heavily-guarded area at this spot. Although all of the four guns and the pillbox point SE, the expected approach from the coast, they do not directly cover the road. Why this particular position, one which appears easy to out-flank or by-pass? Neither were there any known army camps, anti-aircraft gun sites etc. The type of pillbox is unexpected, conforming to no others known in Essex. It may have been built to house Vickers machine-guns, which would explain the large loopholes. These would have required a mounting table beneath the loopholes on which to stand the tripod legs. However, at the time of the site visit it was not possible to investigate this as the tarmac parings inside are heaped to the level of the loopholes. <5> Nine photos of site. <4> Site assessment by Fred Nash, 2007: This pillbox is of a particularly unusual type. It is in good condition although its setting has changed; its specific purpose is unknown. In addition to its rarity, there are few extant pillboxes in the area; every effort should be made to ensure the continued survival of this example. <5>