Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

The Drop Redoubt was a key element of the Western Heights fortifications. In 1861, a new range of three buildings, parallel to and facing the Soldiers’ Quarters across the Parade Ground were constructed. These comprised, in the centre, a single building in which were combined Ablutions, Latrines, Bath Room and Cook House and, on each side, Staff Sergeants’ Quarters. (location accurate to the nearest 1m based on available information)

Monument Types

• SERGEANTS MESS (Demolished, Post Medieval - 1844 AD? to 1897 AD?)

Full description

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The Drop Redoubt was a key element of the Western Heights fortifications. In 1861, a new range of three buildings, parallel to and facing the Soldiers’ Quarters across the Parade Ground were constructed. These comprised, in the centre, a single building in which were combined Ablutions, Latrines, Bath Room and Cook House and, on each side, Staff Sergeants’ Quarters. The latter had been converted to Married Soldiers’ Quarters by 1881 and remained in 1897, comprising two buildings of two identical units, in common with some of the Officers’ Quarters. Today, the range is largely ruinous. However, one building stands at the western end, a rebuild of 20th-century date. It is built in yellow stock brick laid to English bond, with a flat concrete floor and roof, the latter supported on cross-axial metal beams. The single room, 8.97m by 4.48m internally, is entered through a doorway in the northern wall, 0.98m wide by 2.17m high, with a stone sill and concrete lintel. Adjacent are two identical windows, each 1.05m wide by 1.33m high, with wooden frames, concrete lintels and tiled sills. A blocked doorway in the eastern wall has a concrete lintel. There are five circular vents in the roof, one of which was probably for a stove pipe. Two metal struts in the wall between the windows are probably later insertions. It may have served as a shelter or communications room during the First and/or Second World Wars. (1)

A plan dating to 1861, immediately prior to the costruction of thes buildings under the 1860's scheme of works at the Drop Redoubt Fort. This plan shows detail of both the internal and external features of this structure. (2)

<1> English Heritage, 2000, The Western Heights, Dover, Kent. Report No 3 The Drop Redoubt: A 19th-Century Artillery Fortification (Unpublished document). SKE13677.

<2> Unknown, 1861, Drop Redoubt, Plans, Sections and Elevations Shewing Proposed Sergeants Quarters. (Plan). SKE51452.

Sources and further reading

Related records