Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Revealed at last, pillbox rescued from undergrowth
History enthusiasts uncover historic landmark
Hidden beneath the undergrowth in the Canterbury countryside lay a forgotten landmark of the Second World War.
But history enthusiasts in Wickhambreaux have spent a year clearing away the bushes and trees to unveil a pillbox built to protect Britain from invasion.
The concrete defence, next to the Little Stour off Wickham Road, has been transformed by members of the Ickham, Littlebourne and Wickhambreaux Conservation Society.
“Before someone told me about it, I did not even know the pillbox was there,” said society member Charlie Porter.
“You could not see it from the road and it was very easy to drive past it as it was covered in bushes.
“But this little area of east Kent could have been the frontline of an invasion, so it is a key part of local history.”
The pillbox, which was built in 1940 as part of a final defence line of Britain, is thought to be one of about 1,000 to have survived the war.
It was erected along with 28,000 others close to coastlines, waterways and railways.
They were manned with troops from the Home Guard who were armed with machine guns to provide a last line of defence.
“We have transformed the pillbox,” Mr Porter, 72, added.
“It was built where it is because, as it is by the river, the water could act as a defence against any tanks that came along.
“It was also by a flat field which may well have been used for gliders bringing in soldiers.”
Retired grandfather-of-six Mr Porter, of Mill Close, Wickhambreaux, says an information board will be installed next to the defence.
“The narrative board we will put up to tell people why the pillbox was built there,” he added.
“It will not go into great detail, but it might spark some interest with walkers as the pillbox is just off the footpath between Wickhambreaux and Littlebourne.”
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