Summary

Pillbox (destroyed),

Full description

Contemporary records state, “3 pillboxes. Hawkwell Hall Farm. Map ref. 306102, 304098, 306095.” (Mil. Ed.) <1>

Ironwell Lane is a green lane which bisects flat lands S of Hawkwell Hall Farm. An aerial photograph taken in May 1946 clearly shows the pillbox at Military Grid Reference 306095 as a Type FW3/22 standing on the N side of the lane overlooking the fields. In this situation, it would have been sited as a protection against paratroop or glider landings, typical of many in Rochford. An earlier aerial photograph, taken in March 1942, shows this pillbox to have been encircled by an anti-tank ditch perhaps 30/40 yards away. It is probable that it was also surrounded by barbed wire.

The concrete and rubble of the pillbox still survives in a large, moss-covered pile beneath the trees. It is clearly identifiable by its concrete type, the indentations left by the reinforcement rods and one of the acute-angled sides from a loophole. <2> <3> <4>

Three photos of site. <5>

<1> unknown, 1968, War Time Contraventions 1968, Hawkwell (LIST). SEX31436.

<2> RAF, 1946, 106G-UK 1496-3295 (AP). SEX63424.

<3> Wills, H, 1985, Pillboxes, p.28 (DESC TEXT). SEX31431.

<4> RAF, 1942, HLA-416-36 (AP). SEX63426.

<5> Nash, Fred, 2002, WWII Defences in Rochford., three frames, Nov 2002 (Photograph). SEX63207.

Monument Types

• PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/22) (WWII, Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Associated Events

• WWII Defences in Rochford 2002 (Ref: ?)

Protected Status

• Historic Environment Character Area: Rochford 8
• Historic Environment Character Zone: Rochford 19
• Historic Environment Character Area: Thames Gateway 88

Sources and further reading

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