Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Sections of crenellated slit trench of Second World War date were visible as cropmarks in US/7PH/GP/LOC295 V 5007 20-APR-1944, RAF/106G/UK/1110 RS 4137 10-JAN-1946, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 14-APR-2015, NMR 2639/3127 01-AUG-1985, NMR 1661/355 16-JUL-1979, HEA 35256/028 16-JUN-2022, HEA 29752/6 29-JUN-2015, and Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 07-APR-2021.

Monument Types

• DEFENDED LOCALITY (Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)
• SLIT TRENCH (Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

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Sections of crenellated slit trench of Second World War date were visible as cropmarks in US/7PH/GP/LOC295 V 5007 20-APR-1944, RAF/106G/UK/1110 RS 4137 10-JAN-1946, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 14-APR-2015, NMR 2639/3127 01-AUG-1985, NMR 1661/355 16-JUL-1979, HEA 35256/028 16-JUN-2022, HEA 29752/6 29-JUN-2015, and Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 07-APR-2021.

This feature extended from a point south-east of St Nicholas at Wade towards the Monkton Roundabout for about 1.5km where it passed around the north side of Millers Lane Chalk Pit. About 500m of trench line then curved towards the south-east. Interrupted by the A299, it then proceeded for another 660m towards Monkton Road between Monkton and Hoo, where the currently available aerial evidence peters out.

Although its crenellated form is reminiscent of First World War trenches, it is more likely that the trench was part of the early response to threat of invasion in the Second World War. There is no evidence for linking communications trenches or other earthworks on plan that would be expected for a First World War trench system providing defensive depth. The north-west end presumably articulated with the St Nicholas at Wade Defended Area (MKE123871). It is not clear from the available aerial evidence where the south-eastern end terminated. Possibly it reached Monkton Street and was intended as a communications trench between St Nicholas and Wade and Monton/Minster. It is also possible that it was never completed. Part of the trench was mapped as cropmarks from US/7PH/GP/LOC295 V 5007 20-APR-1944, suggesting that it was went out of use quite quickly.

All traces have been infilled or removed and are now only visible as cropmarks. The features were mapped as part of the Historic England Isle of Thanet project in 2024. (1-7)

<1> Historic England Archive, 1944, Historic England Archive USAF vertical aerial photographs, US/7PH/GP/LOC295 V 5007 20-APR-1944 (Archive). SKE57114.

<2> Historic England Archive, 1941-1960, Historic England Archive RAF vertical aerial photographs, RAF/106G/UK/1110 RS 4137 10-JAN-1946 (Archive). SKE57101.

<3> Next Perspectives, 2003-2021, Next Perspectives APGB orthophotography, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 14-APR-2015 (Archive). SKE57110.

<4> Historic England Archive, 1920-2024, Historic England Archive Specialist oblique aerial photographs, NMR 2639/3127 01-AUG-1985 (Archive). SKE57106.

<5> Historic England Archive, 1920-2024, Historic England Archive Specialist oblique aerial photographs, NMR 1661/355 16-JUL-1979 (Archive). SKE57106.

<6> Historic England Archive, 1920-2024, Historic England Archive Specialist oblique aerial photographs, HEA 35256/028 16-JUN-2022 (Archive). SKE57106.

<7> Next Perspectives, 2003-2021, Next Perspectives APGB orthophotography, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 07-APR-2021 (Archive). SKE57110.

Sources and further reading

Related records