Defence of Britain Archive
Council for British Archaeology, 2002. (updated 2006) https://doi.org/10.5284/1000327. How to cite using this DOI
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Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 324
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000327
- How to cite using this DOI
One of a pair of impressively situated pillboxes (type 28As), perched on top of a narrow embankment between the railway and the Kennet and Avon Canal, a few feet from another gun emplacement, with the doorways facing. Large embrasure on W side to enable 2-pdr. gun to defend open stretch of canal and mill. With brick outer shuttering, decayed in places.
(Source: Field Visit 1999/03/22)
Type 28a pillbox situated S of canal on high ground with field of fire W along canal. The pillbox is brick-shuttered with brick dividing wall and breeze-block shuttering interior. Slots are behind the main embrasure for a 2pdr. gun. Concrete track down to rear entrance.
(Source: Field Visit 2000/08/30)
Anti-tank gun emplacement, shuttered with 'end-on' brick, smaller than its companion to the E [see UORN 6479]. One main anti-tank embrasure facing W. It has a side LMG chamber with two embrasures: there is also one other LMG embrasure. Doorway on E side. Used as an animal shelter and full of dirt and rubbish.
(Source: Field Visit 2003/09/03)
Rectangular structure plotted from OS 1:2500 sheet.
(Source: Map 1968)
Large rectangular pillbox plotted from air photograph.
(Source: Air Photograph 1941/06/11)
| Type of site | PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/28A) |
|---|---|
| Location | On top of bank close to corner of road on S side of Kennet & Avon Canal and Dunmill Lock. |
| Area |
Hungerford, Berkshire, England |
| Grid reference |
SU 35040 68162
(Scale: 1:2500
, 1968)
|
| Period | WW2 |
| Condition | Good |
| Materials | Breeze Block, Clay Brick, Reinforced Concrete |
| Threats |
Type: Animal burrowing (Long Term) Detail: The embankment on which the pillbox sits is overrun with rabbits, so it may be riddled with tunnels that erode the foundations. Type: Development (Immediate) Detail: There is a current (9.03) proposal to develop the emplacement (with its companion, UORN 6479) as a restaurant. Local villagers are strongly against this, although it is admitted 'something should be done' to maintain the pillboxes. Type: Plant growth (Long Term) Detail: The emplacement is partly overgrown. Type: Natural erosion (Medium Term) Detail: The concrete base of the emplacement is exposed on its N side where the bank on which it sits has eroded away. |
| Recorder | Cole, Chris |
| Defence grouping |
GHQ Line: Blue - Section of GHQ Stop Line running from near Melksham to Reading. |
| Photographs |
(3) - exterior views (slides and print). |
| Adjacent sites | Second type 28A pillbox a few feet away [UORN 6479]; and type 22 pillbox to N (SU 352684). |
| DOB site reference: | S0006480 |
| Reference |
1941/06/11 210TU/BR352 (fr.3) |
| Event |
Construction, In the period 1940 1941 Field Visit, On 1999/03/22 Field Visit, On 2003/09/03 Field Visit, On 2000/08/30 |
