Underground, concrete air raid shelter, beneath school playground. Built in 1939 for use of pupils and local residents. Double-square corridor type with 4 staircased entrances. Constructed on a cut and cover principle, the design reflecting L1930's guidance, no signs of provision for ventiliation. Debris and artefacts found throughout the system, shelter in good condition. (1)

Description from record TQ 57 SW 340:
Trench air raid shelter built probably in 1939 for protection of the pupils of the school under whose playground it was situated. It is a double square corridor type formed of precast concrete linings, the two squares being joined diagonally at opposing corners. There are four staircased entrances (two for either square). These have a right-angled turn at their foot as part of a process to limit the affects of a bomb exploding inside. There is a latrine chamber off the corridor at the foot of each staircase. At the date of visit there were surviving artefacts such as latrine buckets, seating benches and hurricane lanterns. The shelter was probaby decommissioned in 1945. It still exists.

Andrew Saunders and Victor Smith, 01/01/2000, Kent's Defence Heritage (Miscellaneous Material). SKE24108.

1993, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10721.

1993, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10721.

Smith, V., 1996, Second World War Air Raid Shelter at West Hill County Primary School (Unpublished document). SWX6989.

<1> Not applicable, SMR Kent uncatalogued index entry, WW2 Air Raid Shelter at West Hill CPS, V Smith, 1996. (Miscellaneous Material). SKE6440.