Monument record TR 06 NE 1054 - Battery at Coastguard Cottages, Hamlet of Shellness

Summary

The site of Shellness coastal battery, an emergency battery built during the Second World War as part of Eastern Command's coastal defences. It is referenced as being manned by 334 Coast Battery Royal Artillery from October 1940 to February 1942. The surviving features of the battery include a circular holdfast for 4-inch or 6-inch breech-loading guns and a battery observation post (see HOB UID 1426758).

Location

Grid reference TR 0546 6796 (point)
Map sheet TR06NE
County KENT
District SWALE, KENT
Civil Parish LEYSDOWN, SWALE, KENT

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Type and Period (1)

Full Description

Coastguard Cottages, Shellness. Circular holdfast for 4-in. or 6-ibn. BL guns, consisting of upturned bolts. One holdfast remains in front garden of Coastguard cottages. (1) Circular holdfast for 4-in. or 6-in. BL guns, consisting of upturned bolts. One holdfast remains in front garden of Coastguard cottages. Coastal battery, of which observation post remains and is in good condition. [information from 1979 aerial photographs].Coastguard Cottages, Shell Ness, Isle of Sheppey. (1)

Shellness coastal battery located at TR 055 679. This was an emergency battery built during the Second World War as part of Eastern Command's coastal defences. It is referenced as being manned by 334 Coast Battery Royal Artillery from October 1940 to February 1942. (2)

Aerial photography from 1979 shows the battery observation post in good condition. (3)
Shown on all mapping since from 1st ed OS 6 inch (2-5). Additional site photograph (6-10). Metal tracks of battery still visible. (11)


<1> Victor Smith and Ron Crowdy, Thames Gateway Assesment: Gazetteer of Defence Sites (Index). SKE6445.

<1> Council for British Archaeology, 2002, Defence of Britain Project (Digital archive). SKE32029.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1862-1875, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 1st Edition : 1862-1875 (Map). SWX11831.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1893-7, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 2nd edition : 1893-1898 (Map). SWX11832.

<4> Ordnance Survey, 1905-10, Ordnance Survey 1:2500 3rd edition: 1901-1912 (Map). SWX11833.

<5> Bullock, 1843, River Thames from Ramsgate to the Nore (Chart). SWX8112.

<6> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9593.

<7> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9594.

<8> 1998, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10206.

<9> 1998, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10207.

<10> 1998, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10208.

<11> Wessex Archaeology, 2005, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year Two Report (Unpublished document). SWX12323.

Sources/Archives (12)

  • <1> Digital archive: Council for British Archaeology. 2002. Defence of Britain Project.
  • <1> Index: Victor Smith and Ron Crowdy. Thames Gateway Assesment: Gazetteer of Defence Sites.
  • <2> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1862-1875. Ordnance Survey 1:2500 1st Edition : 1862-1875. 1:2500.
  • <3> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1893-7. Ordnance Survey 1:2500 2nd edition : 1893-1898. 1:2500.
  • <4> Map: Ordnance Survey. 1905-10. Ordnance Survey 1:2500 3rd edition: 1901-1912. 1:2500.
  • <5> Chart: Bullock. 1843. River Thames from Ramsgate to the Nore. chart.
  • <6> Photograph (Print): 1946. Photograph. 4168. print.
  • <7> Photograph (Print): 1946. Photograph. 4173. print.
  • <8> Photograph (Print): 1998. Photograph. 3251. print.
  • <9> Photograph (Print): 1998. Photograph. 3259. print.
  • <10> Photograph (Print): 1998. Photograph. 3261. print.
  • <11> Unpublished document: Wessex Archaeology. 2005. North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey: Phase ll: Field Assessment Year Two Report.

Finds (0)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (3)

  • Event - Survey: 106G/UK/1444 (Ref: 353) (EWX6413)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Defence of Britain (EKE8520)
  • Non-Intrusive Event: Survey, North Kent Coastal Zone: Phase ll, Year Two (Ref: 56751) (EWX8626)

Record last edited

Jun 29 2026 6:24PM