Monument record MLI43261 - First World War Pillbox, Howden's Pullover
Summary
Remains of a First World War pillbox, at Howden's Pullover, to the east of Skidbrooke North End.
Type and Period (2)
- OBSERVATION POST (Second World War to 21st Century - 1940 AD to 2050 AD)
- PILLBOX (First World War to 21st Century - 1917 AD to 2050 AD)
Protected Status/Designation
Full Description
The remains of a First World War pillbox are located on land off Howden's Pullover, to the east of Skidbrooke North End. Photographs of the structure were taken in June 2012, during site visits conducted for the Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey. The structure is orientated along a south-east to north-west axis, with the entrance door located in the middle of the south-western elevation. The structure has just two embrasures, located in the end walls, giving enfilading fields of fire along the beach, but not to the front. The rusticated appearance of the exterior is the result of a sandbag and timber shuttering, used when the concrete was poured into place.
The pillbox was re-used during the Second World War, when a rectangular structure was built upon the roof. This structure has been largely demolished, although concrete strip foundations and a series of 8 pairs of upright threaded iron bolts remain extant. Although it was previously thought that the pillbox had been adapted into a gun emplacement for a 3 or 4 inch gun, the slightness of the foundations and the type and positioning of the bolts used would suggest a smaller structure, such as an observation post, had in fact been added. {1}{2}{3}{4}
Although the structure's exact date of construction is not known, it is thought likely to date to 1917, after the threat of invasion from German forces grew following the collapse of effective Russian opposition on the Eastern Front. The lack of front facing embrasures and use of sandbag shuttering was an attempt to make the structure shell-proof and able to resist naval bombardment. The pillbox is thought to have been manned by soldiers of the 7th/8th (combined) Battalions, Sherwood Foresters. It was re-occupied during the Second World War, when a probable observation post structure was added to the roof. For the full description and the legal address of this listed building please refer to the appropriate List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. {5}
Sources/Archives (5)
- <1> SLI16825 Unpublished Document: Dr Mike Osborne. 1999. Defence of Britain Notes. -.
- <2> SLI4545 Unpublished Document: Dr Mike Osborne. 1999. Defence of Britain Gazetteer. p.1.
- <3> SLI14623 Digital Archive: Council for British Archaeology. 2006. Defence of Britain Archive. 5128.
- <4> SLI16012 Report: Humber Field Archaeology. 2013. Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire: Phase 3, Field Survey and Historical Assessment. SH4.
- <5> SLI13386 Website: Historic England (formerly English Heritage). 2011->. The National Heritage List for England. http://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/. 1445083.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred TF 4499 9508 (22m by 22m) Estimated from sources |
|---|---|
| Civil Parish | SKIDBROOKE WITH SALTFLEET HAVEN, EAST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE |
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (3)
- Event - Survey: Site Visit to the Coastal Gun Emplacement, Howden's Pullover, Skidbrooke North End (ELI12198)
- Event - Survey: Site Visit to the First World War Pillbox, Howden's Pullover (ELI13037)
- Event - Survey: Site Visits for the Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire: Phase 3, Field Survey and Historical Assessment (ELI13024)
Please contact the HER for details.
External Links (0)
Record last edited
Jun 1 2021 10:39AM
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