Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Second World War anti-invasion obstacle consisting of six concrete blocks oriented W-E, on the beach and straddling the sea wall at the side of Higham Creek, with a short length of connected anti-tank ditch running E. Together, these formed part of the GHQ Line dating from 1940. Probably decommissioned by late 1943. There is a pillbox about 45 m to the SE which may be connected (PUID 10142)

Monument Types

• ANTI TANK OBSTACLE (Modern - 1940 AD? to 1943 AD?)

Full description

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Second World War anti-invasion obstacle consisting of six concrete blocks oriented W-E, on the beach and straddling the sea wall at the side of Higham Creek, with a short length of connected anti-tank ditch running E. The blocks are 1.5 m square, 1.6m high, with fluted sides from the use of corrugated iron shuttering. The top of one of the blocks is inscribed with the names FC GOMAR S BARNARD and R LUCAS. The 100m length of anti-tank ditch is about 2.5 m wide and water-filled. Together, these formed the northern end of that part of the GHQ Line which ran across the Hoo Penisula from Hoo St. Werburgh. It would have been established in 1940 and decommissioned by the end of 1943. There is a pillbox about 45m to the SE which may be connecred (PUID 10142 )
Owner : Unknown
Publicly accessible : Yes
How accessed for survey : The concrete blocks straddle a public way running along the sea wall and the anti-tank ditch is open to access on its eastern side
Tourism Potential : Ideally situated for inclusion within a defence heritage trail
Condition : moderate
Date of visit : 15/02/06

Aerial photo (1).

Six 5ft square concrete cubes arranged on echelon in front of river wall (2).

Site photographs (3,4).

Six huge rectangular concrete blocks with corrugated surfaces (concrete poured into corrogated sheeting). About 2.5m x 1.5m x 1.5m each. (5).

A brief reference and two photographs (Figs 45 and 46) appear in the 2014 English Heritage Research Report on the Second World War Stop Line from Hoo St Werburgh to Higham Marshes (6). From the report: "Six concrete anti-tank pillars were placed across the sea wall, to the River Thames. One pillar has names inscribed in concrete, 'F.C.Gomar', 'S.Barnard', 'R. Lucas'".

<1> RAF, 11/10/46, Aerial photograph of Higham Marshes and Cliffe Marshes (Photograph). Ske13912.

<2> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, Site visit by VTC Smith 1995 (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.

<3> 1947, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9858.

<4> 1941, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10111.

<5> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year Two Report (Unpublished document). SWX12323.

<6> historic england, 2014, Hoo Peninsula Landscape Project: Second World War Stop Line: Hoo St Werburgh to Higham Marshes. Research Report 9-2014. (Bibliographic reference). SKE31599.

Sources and further reading

Related records