Summary

Pickett-Hamilton Fort (destroyed),

Full description

Three Pickett-Hamilton forts were installed at Rochford Airfield during World War Two. Two of them are thought to still survive (SMRs 20745 and 20746). One is thought to have been demolished (SMR 20747). The positions of all three can be determined from a plan of the airfield dated June 1945 and low level aerial photographs taken in August 1947. <1> <2>

One of them was emplaced in the south-west quadrant of the site. Between 1947 and 1960 (the dates of ECC aerial photographs) the concrete runways were built, one of which – the main SW/NE runway – was laid across the position of the Pickett-Hamilton. As this position was virtually in the centre of the runway it must be assumed that the fort was taken up before the concrete was laid.

<1> Air Ministry, 1945, Southend (Rochford) Record Site Plan (Graphic material). SEX63178.

<2> RAF, 1947, CPE-UK 2226 (AP). SEX63509.

Monument Types

• PICKETT HAMILTON FORT (WWII, Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)

Protected Status

• Historic Environment Character Zone: Thames Gateway 88_1
• Historic Environment Character Zone: Rochford 17
• Historic Environment Character Area: Thames Gateway 88
• Historic Environment Character Area: Rochford 8

Sources and further reading

Search results generated by the HBSMR Gateway from exeGesIS SDM Ltd.