In late 1940 underground battle headquarters were established in a tunnel complex extending under the well-wooded grounds of ‘The Cherries', on St Martin’s Avenue (and an adjoining orchard). Two long, steel-vaulted staircases descended southwards, from the entrances to the east and west of the house, to a complex of large tunnels about 14m below ground. The headquarters comprised two long tunnels extend east-west, connected by three shorter tunnels running north-south. Each of these tunnels had a flat roof, supported on pit props, and was divided into a narrow corridor, adjoined by a series of rooms. A short, steel-vaulted tunnel leading off from the south-east corner of the complex, housed a generator. In defence of the headquarters, in addition, doubtless to earlier weapon pits etc, in 1941 emplacements were constructed for two machine-guns, and a six-pounder anti-tank gun (Military Grid reference R 602762), sited along the eastward boundary of the Cherries, and an adjoining property, directed eastwards across the Outer Perimeter of the Canterbury Fortress (about 160m) away. Parts of the tunnel-complex have collapsed, but other sections survive in excellent condition.
Owner : Private
Publicly accessible : No
How accessed for survey :
Tourism Potential :
Condition : moderate
Date of visit :

John Guy, CBA Defence of Britain Project (Digital archive). SKE15417.

John Guy, CBA Defence of Britain Project (Digital archive). Ske15417.

John Guy, Verbal Communication (Verbal communication). SKE15418.

John Guy, Verbal Communication (Verbal communication). Ske15418.

Martin Claridge, Verbal Communication (Verbal communication). SKE15419.

Martin Claridge, Verbal Communication (Verbal communication). Ske15419.

Canterbury Fortress headquarters, 01/01/41, War Diary Canterbury Fortress 1941 (Unpublished document). SKE15416.

Canterbury Fortress headquarters, 01/01/41, War Diary Canterbury Fortress 1941 (Unpublished document). Ske15416.