Just a few yards to the E of Mersea Road, on Middlewick Ranges, is a 29mm spigot mortar emplacement. The pit is extant in tall grass; there are four ammunition alcoves. Off the N face there is probably an L-shaped integral trench although it is difficult to be certain of this in the bramble and thicket. In the centre of the pit is the mounting pedestal, typically constructed of a sewage pipe standing on end. The stainless steel pintle has, oddly, a steel collar. This is unusual and indicates that perhaps either part of the spigot mortar was left on the pintle or a different type of gun was mounted, using the steel collar.

Two photos of site.<1>

SITE ASSESSMENT:
Spigot mortar emplacements are, in their own right, important and comparatively rare World War Two defence types. As an integral part of Colchester’s wartime defence structure this emplacement is also part of the town’s heritage, complementing its many older monuments. Every effort should be made to ensure its continued survival.

See also <2> & <3>.