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| Cleared Pillbox on the track |
Between 1940 and 1941 some 28000 pillboxes were hurriedly constructed as Britain stood alone against a possible German invasion.
Estimates show that about 6000 are now left, with some of the old pillboxes to the north of Kings Worthy, in the area of the old DNSR railway line.
Five or so form an arc a few hundred metres south of the Worthy Down Camp, no doubt to protect it from the expected enemy action.
On yet another bright and sunny afternoon – a large group of 18 volunteers joined in the day’s activities.
The aim of the task was to ‘uncover’ three of these five remaining structures.
They are believed to be Type 22 Pillboxes, built in a hexagonal shape, with gun holes on each side and a flat top.
The three pillboxes: one on the railway line footpath; another on the track 50 metres from the railway embankment (both made of concrete); and a third further along the railway path, this one made of brick and possibly built at a different time.
After a task and safety briefing, the team collected tools and made its way onto the railway line.
Splitting up into two teams, the group first tackled the pillboxes on the railway line. Small trees, bramble and scrub were cleared from around the structures, making visible once again these historic relics.
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| Some of the volunteers |
Some others volunteers did litter-picking along the footpath and in the surrounding area.
After a short break, the group started clearing the third pillbox - it was decided to keep this one semi camouflaged.
All-in-all a successful day!
Why not go along the footpath and see the pillboxes for yourself?
Further clearance work on the remaining pillboxes will be carried with the permission of the farmers /landowners.
There is a story about one of the other pillboxes in a neighbouring field – some time after the end of the war, explosive experts were brought in to remove the pillbox, to clear the ground for crops.
Well, one can only imagine that, as the trigger was fired, an almighty boom filled the air, followed by an equally impressive cloud of dust and debris as the concrete structure was raised off the ground … however, as the dust settled and the air began to clear, to everyone’s utter amazement the pillbox remained, having budged not an inch.
Whether a second attempt was made is not known, but to this day, the pillbox stands intact and undefeated.
More details on the work of the Worthy Conservation Volunteers can be found on our website or email: enquiries@worthysconservationvolunteers.org.uk |
