Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

A World War II pillbox located to the east of lower Upnor on the edge of the medway and facing south. This type 24 pillbox was a narrow wall version with a brick skin. Thought to be the same as TQ 77 SE 1030 - a record created for a pillbox that probably never existed. The problem seemingly arose from an intially inaccurate grid reference; this was rectified when an accurate positioning was recorded during a 2004 coastal survey.

Monument Types

• PILLBOX (Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

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Concrete type 24 pillbox on foreshore, E. of Lower Upnor, facing S. across River Medway and enfilading beach E and W. Narrow wall version with brick skin. On coastland, above high water shingle (1), additional reference (2), for site photographs see (3-5). The 2004 rapid coastal survey noted seemingly inaccurate positions for the pillboxes TQ 77 SE 1030 and TQ 77 SE 120. Pillbox TQ 77 SE 1030 was not visible at the position given in the SMR record and its position was updated to a new GPS derived position further west along Cockham Reach. Pillbox TQ 77 SE 1030 was also thought to be inaccurately located in the SMR and its position was also updated to lie further west. This new position coincided with the position of this recorded pillbox TQ 77 SE 119. This may mean that the pillboxes TQ 77 SE 1030 and TQ 77 SE 119 are the same. An alternative explanation could be that the most easterly Pillbox TQ 77 SE 120 has been destroyed leaving absolutely no trace, and a previously unknown pillbox was found in the course of the 2004 survey at the position now given to TQ 77 SE 120. This is considered unlikely and it is suggested that the original positions for these pillboxes which were "estimated from source" (often aerial photographs) were inaccurate and the new GPS derived positions are accurate. This pillbox was observed to have toppled slightly although its structure was still intact.(6)

<1> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, VTC Smith site visit 1995 (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<2> Kent County Council, 1999, Survey of Kent post-1500 defence sites, KD164 (Index). SWX11828.

<3> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9870.

<4> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9841.

<5> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9510.

<6> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year One report (Unpublished document). SWX12121.

Sources and further reading

Related records