Monument record MCC5151 - Anti-Tank Hairpins, E of Thatcher's Arms, Mount Bures

Summary

Anti-Tank Hairpins, E of Thatcher's Arms, Mount Bures.

Location

Grid reference TL 9078 3178 (point)
Map sheet TL93SW
Civil Parish MOUNT BURES, COLCHESTER, ESSEX

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Just inside a wide field 15 yards from the E side of the railway line and seven yards from a pillbox (SMR 20031) are five anti-tank hairpins, lengths of railway line, bent, with each end concreted into the ground. They stand up to 4’4" high with a 5’9" spread, the total area of the site being approx. 12’ x 8’. These are documented in contemporary records, "A/T ditch and 5 angle irons. Grass field S of . O.S. No. 72. Mount Bures Hall Farm. Map ref. 353508." (Mil. Ed.) These hairpins would have stood at the S end of the anti-tank ditch which stretched northwards to Bures. The ditch, extant at that time, can be seen on an aerial photograph taken in 1946.<1><2>

Three photos of site.<3>

SITE ASSESSMENT: Anti-tank hairpins are rare survivors in Essex. These have the added distinction of being documented as complete, and in company with the concrete blocks (SMR 20028/MCC5149) and the pillbox (SMR 20031/MCC4806) this compound site contains three different defence types, each supporting the others.

See also <4> & <5>.

Sources/Archives (5)

  • <1> LIST: unknown. 1968. War Time Contraventions 1968. Bures.
  • <2> AP: RAF. 1946. 106G-UK 1635-1074.
  • <3> Photograph: Nash, Fred. 1997. Three Frames by Nash, F.
  • <4> Unpublished document: Nash, Fred. 2007. SURVEY OF WORLD WAR TWO DEFENCES IN THE BOROUGH OF COLCHESTER. VOLUME 1. Volume 1.
  • <5> Unpublished document: Nash, Fred. 2007. SURVEY OF WORLD WAR TWO DEFENCES IN THE BOROUGH OF COLCHESTER. VOLUME 2. Volume 2.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Jun 17 2020 8:20AM

Comments and Feedback

Do you have any more information about this record? Please feel free to comment with information and photographs, or ask any questions, using the "Disqus" tool below. Comments are moderated, and we aim to respond/publish as soon as possible.