Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Small, square First World War pillbox, part of the Swale to Maidstone First World War stop line

Monument Types

• PILLBOX (Modern - 1914 AD to 1918 AD)

Full description

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Small, square First World War pillbox, part of the Swale to Maidstone stop line (1)

Four concrete pillboxes near the western crest of the Stockbury Valley are remnants of others which helped reinforce a stop line of entrenchments established during the First World War between the River Swale and the country to the north of Maidstone. The line was intended to impede a German invasion force advancing on London via Chatham from East Kent. In rear of the lines were originally several positions for 6-inch siege guns. The pillboxes are the most visible remnants of the line although some traces of entrenchments are said to exist in woodland.

The pillboxes are identical, small rectangular flat-roofed concrete structures with two horizontal loopholes and a single entrance. They display a crude and rough standard of finish. Their interiors could not be inspected because of impeding debris or ownership access constraints. Two other pillboxes nearby of the same date and purpose, recorded in 1994 could not be found. (2)

<1> CBA Defence of Britain Project, 1994, Defence of Britain Site Report (Bibliographic reference). SKE6447.

<2> Victor Smith and Andrew Saunders, 2001, Kent's Defence Heritage (Unpublished document). SKE6956.

Sources and further reading