Second World War air raid wardens post in a brick arched tunnel about 2 m wide and high, running north under the Gravesend Road from Gadshill School. It was probably adapted for this purpose in 1939, and given a telephone and furniture. As one of a network of such posts, it was a local focus in the incident reporting chain for coordinating the emergency services in the event of injury or damage resulting from an air raid. Its patrolling wardens enforced blackout restrictions. It was also used as an air raid shelter for the school, which for a time was a residence for WRNS personnel. The tunnel was decommissioned by the end of the Second World War in Europe in 1945 and would have been stripped of its furnishings by later in that year or in 1946. The tunnel survives as part of the continuing Gadshill School.
Owner : Private
Publicly accessible : No
How accessed for survey : The tunnel is within the closed perimeter of the school
Tourism Potential : None unless the school admits visitors to its premises
Condition : moderate
Date of visit : 15/02/06

Higham Village History Group, 01/01/04, Higham in Old Photographs (Bibliographic reference). SKE13816.

Higham Village History Group, 01/01/04, Higham in Old Photographs (Bibliographic reference). Ske13816.

Smith, V.T.C., 20/04/06, Gadshill School Second World War air raid wardens post, Gravesend Road, Higham (Photograph). SKE13859.

Smith, V.T.C., 20/04/06, Gadshill School Second World War air raid wardens post, Gravesend Road, Higham (Photograph). Ske13859.

Strood Rural District Council, 29/02/40, Minutes of the Air Raid Precautions Committee of Strood Rural District Council (Bibliographic reference). SKE13815.

Strood Rural District Council, 29/02/40, Minutes of the Air Raid Precautions Committee of Strood Rural District Council (Bibliographic reference). Ske13815.