Monument record MCC4757 - WWII Pillbox, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester

Summary

WWII Pillbox.

Location

Grid reference TM 0053 2599 (point)
Map sheet TM02NW
Non Parish Area COLCHESTER, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Standing in a meadow between Cowdray Avenue and the north bank of the River Colne is a large, 19ft 6in across, hexagonal pillbox. Originally it was shuttered with brick, but almost all of this has now fallen off. There is a small loophole on each of the six faces. The entrance is on the SE side and around this is a low L-shaped blast wall. Some of the concrete above the entrance and much of the top of the blast wall has been chiselled off, probably with a pneumatic drill, exposing the re-inforcement rods. This was done just post-war in an abandoned attempt to demolish the pillbox. The walls are 3ft 6in thick.<1>

Three photos of site.<2>

See also <3>.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> PERSONAL OBSERVATION: local resident. 1997. Comment on attempted demolition of pillbox.
  • <2> Photograph: Nash, Fred. 1997. Pillbox - 3 Frames.
  • <3> Photograph: Colchester Historic Buildings Forum. 2011. Digital photograph of 10-14 Vineyard Street, Colchester. Digital. Volume 1.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

Record last edited

Jun 12 2020 2:19PM

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