Building record TR 23 NW 555 - EMERGENCY COAST DEFENCE BATTERY

Summary

Coastal battery. Two covered 6in gun emplacements and BOP visible and in good condition. [information from 1982 aerial photographs]. Summary from record MWX51337: A Second World War coastal battery is visible as structures, buildings and earthworks on aerial photographs taken in 1942 and 1945, though only two gun positions and the observation post gun sites remain extant as buildings on aerial photographs taken in 1983. This is a 6-inch emergency coastal battery, with 2 x 6-inch gunhouses and battery observation post. It was sited to defend the sea approaches to Folkestone Harbour and East Wear Bay. The site comprises two gun positions, a control bunker, a transformer box, three further building, a possible pill box, six Nissen huts, three slit trenches and extensive barbed wire entanglements. It is referenced as being armed until September 1944 and was manned by 338 Battery of 550 Coast Regiment.

Location

Grid reference Centred TR 2410 3656 (33m by 120m) (3 map features)
Map sheet TR23NW
Civil Parish FOLKESTONE, SHEPWAY, KENT
County KENT
District FOLKESTONE AND HYTHE, KENT

Map

Type and Period (11)

Full Description

Copt Point Battery.Coastal battery. Two covered 6in gun emplacements and BOP visible and in good condition. [information from 1982 aerial photographs].

Description from record MWX51337:
6in coastal battery, with 2 x 6in gunhouses and battery observation post.Coastal battery. Two covered 6in gun emplacements and BOP visible and in good condition. [information from 1982 aerial photographs]. Copt Point Battery. Coastal battery. Two covered 6in gun emplacements and BOP visible and in good condition. [information from 1982 aerial photographs]. (1) A Second World War coastal battery is visible as structures, buildings and earthworks on aerial photographs taken in 1942 and 1945, though only two gun positions and the observation post gun sites remain extant as buildings on aerial photographs taken in 1983. This is a 6-inch emergency coastal battery, with 2 x 6-inch gunhouses and battery observation post. It was sited to defend the sea approaches to Folkestone Harbour and East Wear Bay. The site comprises two gun positions, a control bunker, a transformer box, three further building, a possible pill box, six Nissen huts, three slit trenches and extensive barbed wire entanglements. Two southern gun emplacements are camouflaged on war time photographs, but very clear on modern ones, and are located at TR 2408 3650 and TR 2412 2653. The eastern of these seems to have been used for stores or as a coastguard lookout. They are covered by earthwork camouflage on war time photographs. A control bunker is located at TR 2410 3662, and comprises two semi-subterranean buildings surrounded by a spoil heap. A further Observation post is visible on top of the Martello tower (NMR: 465768), and is hexagonal in shape. A pair of military buildings, perhaps barracks or an engine shed are located at TR 2413 3666, facing west into East Wear Bay. They have not previously been recorded, and have been demolished on aerial photographs taken in 1966. A possible pill box is located at TR 2415 3668, and is rectangular in shape. Six Nissen huts, probably barracks for the gun crews, and located on the south western side of the site. Three slit trenches are located on the north western corner. A transformer box is located at TR 2411 3656 (2-5). Recorded. (6)


Burridge, David, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE13149.

Burridge, David, Kent (Unpublished document). Ske13149.

Anderton, Michael J., World War Two Coastal Batteries (Bibliographic reference). SKE13158.

Anderton, Michael J., World War Two Coastal Batteries (Bibliographic reference). Ske13158.

<1> Kent's Defence Heritage (Unspecified Type). SWX23589.

<2> 1942, NMR HLA/549 6026-6027 01-JUN-1942 (Photograph). SWX23763.

<3> RAF, 1945, NMR RAF/106G/UK/541 3024-3025 25-JUL-1945 (Photograph). SWX23831.

<4> RAF, 1966, NMR RAF/V58/7170 0150-0151 06-JAN-1966 (Photograph). SWX23946.

<5> Vertical aerial photograph reference number (Unspecified Type). SWX23782.

<6> Dobinson, C., 2000, Twentieth century fortifications in England. Volume 6.2. Coast Artillery, 1900-1956, 6.2 (Monograph). SWX23711.

Sources/Archives (10)

  • --- Unpublished document: Burridge, David. Kent.
  • --- Unpublished document: Burridge, David. Kent.
  • --- Bibliographic reference: Anderton, Michael J.. World War Two Coastal Batteries.
  • --- Bibliographic reference: Anderton, Michael J.. World War Two Coastal Batteries.
  • <1> (No record type): Kent's Defence Heritage.
  • <2> Photograph: 1942. NMR HLA/549 6026-6027 01-JUN-1942.
  • <3> Photograph: RAF. 1945. NMR RAF/106G/UK/541 3024-3025 25-JUL-1945.
  • <4> Photograph: RAF. 1966. NMR RAF/V58/7170 0150-0151 06-JAN-1966.
  • <5> (No record type): Vertical aerial photograph reference number.
  • <6> Monograph: Dobinson, C.. 2000. Twentieth century fortifications in England. Volume 6.2. Coast Artillery, 1900-1956. 6.2.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: South-East Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey (Ref: 71330) (EWX10073)

Record last edited

Jan 17 2014 4:41PM