Probable Second World War defended area. A central structure and surrounding earthworks and trenches are visible on 1946 aerial photographs (1,2)

A gun emplacement and weapons pits of Second World War date were visible as structures and earthworks in US/7PH/GP/LOC295 V 5005 20-APR-1944 and RAF/106G/UK/1378 FV 7089 04-APR-1946. These features were positioned on Bell Meadow Recreation Ground and land now occupied by Bridges Close. They form part of the St Nicholas at Wade Defended Area that was established in 1940-41.

The gun emplacement and a small hut are enclosed by a revetted slit trench. A probably military feature can be seen in photography dating to April 1944 standing outside the south-east side of the enclosed area, although it is not clear enough to identify. Three weapons pits stand in open ground beyond the gun emplacement, surrounded by elements of the defensive trench network that protected the village. The features have all been removed or demolished. They were mapped as part of the Historic England Isle of Thanet project in 2024. (3-5)

<1> RAF, 1946/7, 1946/47 RAF aerial photograph run, r54photo3043 (Photograph). SKE31381.

<2> Mark Samuel, 2015, Defence of Thanet Project: verbal communication from Mark Samuel (Verbal communication). SKE30957.

<3> Historic England Archive, 1941-1960, Historic England Archive RAF vertical aerial photographs, RAF/106G/UK/1378 FV 7089 04-APR-1946 (Archive). SKE57101.

<4> Historic England Archive, 1944, Historic England Archive USAF vertical aerial photographs, US/7PH/GP/LOC295 V 5005 20-APR-1944 (Archive). SKE57114.

<5> Next Perspectives, 2003-2021, Next Perspectives APGB orthophotography, Next Perspectives APGB Imagery 07-APR-2021 (Archive). SKE57110.