Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

WW2 minewatchers post.

Summary from record TQ 67 SW 1229:

Second World War post on the edge of the Thames at the north end of Burch Road, Northfleet for observing the dropping of parachute mines into the river. It is a small brick structure with a flat concrete roof and a wide observation slit to its front. Dates of building and decommissioning are not known but are likely to have been 1940 and 1945. It is extant, although in a degraded state.

Summary from record TQ 67 SW 189:

Observation post at Northfleet.

Monument Types

• OBSERVATION POST (Modern - 1940 AD? to 1945 AD?)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

The only minewatchers post in Gravesham remaining from the network of posts every 3/4 of a mile. Observers used to shelter, observe and plot the landing of parachute mines in the Thames (1). For reference to other defence sites see (2), site photographs (3-15). A small square plan, yellow brick structure intact but derelict. Overlooking the Thames (16)

Description from record TQ 67 SW 1229:
Second World War post on the edge of the Thames at the north end of Burch Road, Northfleet, for observing and reporting the dropping of German anti-shipping parachute magnetic mines into the river. The yellow brick post is about 2.5 m square and 2.2 m high to a flat concrete roof. There is a wide observation slit facing the Thames. It is accessed from an indirect entrance on its eastern side. Within the post was originally a sighting device to record the position of the mine and a telephone to report the sightng to a naval control room for the mine to be disposed of. The post was one of a sequence of such buildings at 600 yard intervals along the river. Building and decommissioning dates are not known but are likely to have been 1940 and 1945 respectively. The post still exists although in poor condition.
Owner : Private
Publicly accessible : Yes
How accessed for survey : It is only informally accessible on the riverside of a low wall
Tourism Potential : It is already identified with a heritage plaque on a roadside pier overlooking the building
Condition : poor
Date of visit : 04/01/06

Description from record TQ 67 SW 189:
Mine watchers post, a small , rectangular single-storey yellow brick structure with a flat concrete roof. There is a wide observation aperture facing the river Thames. An E. facing doorway is protected internally by a brick blast wall. Built on a concrete terrace on the S. bank of the Thames (1). Additional site photographs (2-15). Still standing, yellow brick square structure with concrete flat roof. (16)

Smith, V.T.C., 04/01/06, Verbal Communication (Verbal communication). SKE13770.

Smith, V.T.C., 13/03/06, Burch Road Second World War Minewatching Post, Northfleet (Photograph). SKE13791.

<1> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, pers. comm. Victor Smith to KCC, 9/7/96. (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

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

<2> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9416.

<2> Kent County Council, 1999, Survey of Kent post-1500 defence sites, KD118 (Index). SWX11828.

<3> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9437.

<4> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9471.

<5> 1944, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10025.

<6> 1944, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10026.

<7> 1944, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10047.

<8> 1944, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10056.

<9> 1944, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10058.

<10> 1944, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10059.

<11> 1944, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10070.

<12> 1942, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10074.

<13> 1942, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10075.

<14> 1941, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10118.

<15> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9416.

<15> 2000, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10289.

<16> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year Two Report (Unpublished document). SWX12323.

Sources and further reading