Monument record TR 34 SE 439 - Buried underground tunnel system sited to the rear of Townsend Farm

Summary

A buried underground tunnel system sited to the rear of Townsend Farm at St. Margaret's at Cliffe, which may be the site of a Second World War underground hospital, presumably for the military, thought to have been built in about 1941. It is aligned roughly north-east to south-west. There were 6 entrances with steps down from the surface, which are now blocked. The known element of the tunnel site is thought to have been 275 foot long, with 5 main chambers linked by two parallel narrower tunnels along the eastern side. The easternmost of these was lined with concrete blocks. The main areas were partly supported by steel girders and wooden props, other parts of the tunnels were simply cut into the chalk with no supports. The main tunnels were 10 feet wide and 8 foot high. Other tunnels were 6 foot high by 6 foot wide. At each end of the complex were were earth-covered bunkers. It was clearly abandoned by 1970 and by 1981 it had been covered over. Although the suggested function of the complex was as a (military) hospital, it should be noted that the area has a wealth of defence sites with which the tunnel complex may be associated. These include deep air raid shelters supporting batteries in the nearby cliffs at St. Margaret's Bay, the recoil spur for the long range gun known as "Pooh" is also in the vicinity. There is also the domestic site for a Cold War radar or "rotor" station in close proximity.

Location

Grid reference TR 3560 4489 (point)
Map sheet TR34SE
County KENT
District DOVER, KENT
Civil Parish ST MARGARET’S AT CLIFFE, DOVER, KENT

Map

Type and Period (3)

Full Description

<1> 2010, 'Kent History Forum: St Margarets Underground Hospital' (Website). SKE56463.

<2> John A. Guy, 2013-, Verbal communication from John Guy, defence expert working in the Dover area (Verbal communication). SKE24831.

<3> CBA Defence of Britain Project, 1994, Defence of Britain Site Report (Bibliographic reference). SKE6447.

Sources/Archives (3)

  • <1> Website: 2010. 'Kent History Forum: St Margarets Underground Hospital'.
  • <2> Verbal communication: John A. Guy. 2013-. Verbal communication from John Guy, defence expert working in the Dover area.
  • <3> Bibliographic reference: CBA Defence of Britain Project. 1994. Defence of Britain Site Report.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Sep 12 2024 10:10AM