Monument record TQ 86 NE 1189 - Possible First World War Royal Engineer's store, Wardwell Wood

Summary

The possible store is an unfinished rather crude reinforced concrete structure built into the slope of a hill in Wardwell Wood. It is located alongside a public footpath running between High Oak Hill and Wardwell Lane and runs roughly East to West. The structure is 16.3m long by 7.2m wide. It has 4 window openings in the front (south) wall and a doorway and 1 window in the west wall. There is evidence that the windows were fitted with wooden, drop down shutters. The structure has bolts left exposed at the top of the walls presumably to attach the roof, although holes for rafters were noted. The floor and the area surrounding the structure has been raised to a large extent by soil run off from the hill and leaf litter. The floor is completely covered probably to a depth of over 1 metre in places and the west wall seems to have been vandalised. Although not shown on the 1919 military defence map, it is very close to (c.100m) where a building is specified for Royal Engineer use. This does seem to be that sort of building and does not seem to be defensive. A coppiced chestnut tree growing within the building confirms that it about 100 years old.

Location

Grid reference TQ 8634 6550 (point) Accurate from sources
Map sheet TQ86NE
County KENT
District SWALE, KENT
Civil Parish NEWINGTON, SWALE, KENT

Map

Type and Period (1)

Full Description

<1> Kent County Council, 2013-2017, Defence of Swale Recording Form, ARA1 (Unpublished document). SKE32091.

Sources/Archives (1)

  • <1> Unpublished document: Kent County Council. 2013-2017. Defence of Swale Recording Form. ARA1.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Non-Intrusive Event: Defence of Swale Survey 2013-2017 (EKE15921)

Record last edited

Jun 19 2017 3:55PM