Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Two defended gun positions are visible on 1940s aerial photographs constructed on top of the easternmost spoil heap of Chislet Colliery. They appear to have been destroyed as the spoil heaps have been removed or levelled.

Monument Types

• GUN EMPLACEMENT (Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Full description

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Two bank-defined defended gun positions are visible on 1940s aerial photographs constructed on top of the easternmost spoil heap of Chislet Colliery [1]. From this position they overlook both the main road to Thanet, to the north, and the River Stour, to the south. They appear to have been destroyed as the spoil heaps have been removed or levelled [2].

The two gun positions lie 85m apart close to the northern edge of the spoil heap. The easternmost position is comprised of a sinuous bank with curled ends, protecting two gun pits at either end; one appears to face SE toward the Stour, the other north and west toward the main road and colliery. The westernmost position is simpler and composed of a horse-shoe shaped bank, entrance on SSW, protecting a gun pit.

These are one of several WWII defensive features that were clustered around the colliery and the adjacent stretches of road and river (MWX43082, MWX43083, MWX43084, Mke42800).

A transcription of the features recorded from aerial photography exists within a GIS layer held by this HER [3].

<2> Google Earth (Graphic material). SWX15704.

<3> Wessex Archaeology, 2009-10, South-East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - Aerial Photographic Transcriptions (Digital archive). SWX15705.

<3> Wessex Archaeology, 2011, South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey - (SE RCZAS) Phase 1: National Mapping Programme Report (Unpublished document). SKE25955.

<3> Cornwall Council Historic Environment Projects and Gloucestershire County Council, 2011, South East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey National Mapping Programme Components 1&2: Results of NMP Mapping (Unpublished document). SKE25954.

Sources and further reading

Related records