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Pillbox with open bay to rear. Type unknown. 5 embrasures cover open sea in Porthcurno Bay. Rear entrance now sealed. A rock at the rear of the pillbox contains infills of concrete, presumably from the construction of the pillbox, in which the soldiers constructing it have inscribed their names, 'D. Stewart 11.9.40 11th A & SH' and 'Joe 194-[?]', 'J. PA(O)YNE'.
(Source: Field Visit 1996/08)
Pillbox, not of standard design. The front part is of type 24 construction with an outer open 'courtyard' at rear. 5 embrasures, walls 18' thick., concrete block construction with roof 10' thick. In very good condition, although outer courtyard doorway is blocked up. There are some inscriptions in cement only a few feet from this pillbox, presumably made by the builders - 'T. Meecham & P. Diamond 1940 Black Watch' and 'D. Stewart 11.9.40 A & SH' [Newly formed Commando units were sent here in 1940 and these troops retained their individual regimental attachments at this time].
(Source: Field Visit 1996/09/25)
Concrete-block built pillbox on cliff point in excellent condition. It is hexagonal on the front faces, but rectangular at the rear with an open bay for an AA weapon. The rear entrance (N side) is closed off - possibly there was originally a ladder on the wall to enter here. Five embrasures. The pillbox faces the sea (S). On an adjacent rock are daubs of cement with inscriptions. The most legible reads '11.9.40. D. Stewart. 11th A & SH'.
(Source: Field Visit 2003/01/20)
Pillbox. Entrance blocked. Nearby are two tablets - 11.9.40 D.STEWART A & SH, and - BLACK WATCH [with the name] DIAMOND.
(Source: Field Visit 2001)
Type of site | PILLBOX (VARIANT) |
---|---|
Location | On headland (Percella Point) E of Porthcurno Beach, next to Cable Warning Post. |
Area |
St. Levan, Cornwall, England |
Grid reference |
SW 38820 22354
(Scale: 1:25000
)
|
Period | WW2 |
Condition | Good |
Materials | Concrete, Concrete Block, Granite |
Recorder | Millington, Richard (Solihull Local History Circle) |
Defence grouping |
Cornwall coast defences - Defences of the Cornwall coastal crust. |
Attached Sheets | (2) - site location map; plan and perspective. |
Photographs |
(8) - site views and close up of graffiti [4 x Millington photos are missing]. 2 DIGITISED. |
Adjacent sites | 9 other pillboxes defending Porthcurno: the W headland has a pillbox (SW 38622232), and there is a construction on the beach which appears to make a rock out of a natural cave. |
DOB site reference: | S0003191 |
Original Reference | 8605 |
Event |
Field Visit, On 1996/08 Construction, In the period 1940 1941 Field Visit, On 1996/09/25 Field Visit, During 2001 Field Visit, On 2003/01/20 |