Canvey's last remaining Pillbox

WW2 remnants at Holehaven
By David Bullock

Photo:Looking South towards the Gasworks - The entrance is to the left of the Loop hole

Looking South towards the Gasworks - The entrance is to the left of the Loop hole

(c) David Bullock

I recently discovered to my amazement that there is still a World War 2 Pillbox on Canvey Island. The Island used to have many, mainly on the South Sea Wall, but they were all destroyed when the new wall was constructed in the early 1980's.

I visited on a rainy day on 23rd April 2008 to take these Photos. This Pillbox has the designation number of SMR10798 and is a Type FW3/98, very rare in Essex. It is built of brick & concrete measuring 9'2" square with a narrow entrance on the north west side. The walls are 20" thick, each of the four walls having a loop hole. It's exact location is TQ 7768 8287 which is on the west side of Haven Road opposite Brick House Farm. If the new Ring Road is built it may well cut through this location and this last remaining three star rated Pillbox may be destroyed.

Photo:A view from the inside featuring one of the large firing loops

A view from the inside featuring one of the large firing loops

(c) David Bullock

If you have any information on this Pillbox please leave a message below. Click below for four more views of the Pillbox....

Photo:Canvey Island's Pillbox - April 2008
Photo:Canvey's last Pillbox in the rain
Photo:Rear view of the Pillbox - The entrance is by the small loop
Photo:Canvey's Pillbox with Loop
This gallery was added by David Bullock on 06/06/2008.

Comments/reviews:

I think that this pillbox should be kept and preserved for the future, after all is part of our history. If this is going to be destroyed, we must have it dismantled and rebuilt somewhere else on Canvey. I will make enquiries

By joan liddiard(bishop)
On 20/08/2008

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