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Monument details

HER Number:TQ 67 NW 1012
Type of record:Monument
Name:Bell Wharf, Broadness

Summary

Bell Wharf, Broadness. The bell wharf is visible on historic OS maps of the area and is still present today. It was also in use throughout the Second World War as a Home Guard Battle Headquarters. (location accurate to the nearest 10m based on available information)


Grid Reference:TQ 60010 76013
Map Sheet:TQ67NW
Parish:SWANSCOMBE AND GREENHITHE, DARTFORD, KENT

Monument Types

  • WHARF (Earlier than 1900, Post Medieval to Modern - 1900 AD? to 2050 AD (pre))
  • BATTLE HEADQUARTERS (Modern - 1940 AD to 1944 AD)

Full description

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Bell Wharf marked on the 1st and 2nd ed OS map (1-2). A large concrete wharf on massive wooden piles, with bollards and part of a railway inlaid onto the wharf surface. rThe metal railings are in disrepair, but otherwise the wharf is in good condition. (3)


Second World War Home Guard Battle Headquarters at Bell Wharf, APCM Swanscombe Works, Swanscombe, Dartford, Kent, This was for Defended Locality DL43. Probably designated in 1940 and decommissioned by early in 1944. The structure so used upon the wharf is unknown. The wharf is mostly destroyed, but there are some remnants. (4)


<1> Ordnance Survey, 1858-73, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 1st Edition : 1872-1897 (Map). SWX11831.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1893-7, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 2nd edition : 1893-1898 (Map). SWX11832.

<3> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year Two Report (Unpublished document). SWX12323.

<4> Colnel, Gravesend Sub-Area, 01/09/1941, Gravesend Sub-Area - Plan to Defeat Invasion (Unpublished document). SKE24212.

Sources and further reading

Cross-ref. Source description
<1>XYMap: Ordnance Survey. 1858-73. Ordnance Survey 1:2500 1st Edition : 1872-1897. 1:2500. [Mapped feature: #86728 Bell Wharf, ]
<2>Map: Ordnance Survey. 1893-7. Ordnance Survey 1:2500 2nd edition : 1893-1898. 1:2500.
<3>Unpublished document: Wessex Archaeology. 2005. North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year Two Report.
<4>Unpublished document: Colnel, Gravesend Sub-Area. 01/09/1941. Gravesend Sub-Area - Plan to Defeat Invasion.

Related records

TQ 67 NW 98Part of: J. B. White Portland Cement Works, Swanscombe (Monument)
TQ 67 NW 99Part of: Tramway J. B. White Portland Cement Works, Swanscombe (Monument)