Monument record 8540/1/28 - WWII pillbox and observation post

A World War Two Type 22 pillbox at Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield. The pillbox is situated in the vicinity of Walltree Farm (on the west side of the airfield). It was formerly part of the defences of the Royal Air Force station there, and was probably built between 1940-1941. The pillbox is of concrete with brick loopholes, with a brick observation post built on its roof. The observation post has a tin roof. The entrance to the main pillbox is below ground level reached via steps. Over the entrance is a letter "V" formed wih pebbles set into the concrete, either side of this the letter is repeated in morse code. The pillbox roof is suported by a single pillar. There is no internal ricochet wall in this example. The pillbox was under restoration in 1995.

{2} Hexagonal pillbox with "gazebo/OP on top"

{3} p108 photo of observation post on top of pillbox

{4} Pillbox at cSP54223740. Hexagonal and surmounted by hexagonal brick structure with at least two modern windows. The whole structure is in the process of restoration. A sign on the temporary weather covers, indicates that this is being undertaken by the 'Northants Airfield and Aircraft Restoration Group 1995'.

{5} Type 22 pillbox, hexagonal. Entrance below ground level, via steps. There is no internal wall, just a pillar supporting the hexagonal brick observation post built on the roof. The pillbox entrance has the letter "V" set in pebbles in the concrete with "V" in morse on either side. Pillbox - concrete, except brick loopholes. Observation post - temporary brick, with tin roof. Good condition - under restoration. Two colour photographs and a scale plan and section.

{8} A World War Two Type 22 pillbox described by a Defence of Britain database record as being at RAF Hinton-in-the-Hedges Airfield, Hinton-in -the -Hedges (sic), Northamptonshire SP 543 374. The pillbox is situated in the vicinity of Walltree Farm. It was formerly part of the defences of the Royal Air Force station there, and was probably built between 1940-1941. The pillbox is of concrete with brick loopholes, with a brick observation post built on its roof. The observation post has a tin roof. The entrance to the main pillbox is below ground level reached via steps. Over the entrance is a letter "V" formed wih pebbles set into the concrete, either side of this the letter is repeated in morse code. The pillbox roof is suported by a single pillar. There is no internal ricochet wall in this example. In 1995 when the pillbox was recorded for the Defence of Britain database it was under restoration by Northamptonshire Airfield and Aircraft Restoration Group.

{10} The area around Walltree Farm SP 5415 3725 (NAT) lies in Farthinghoe civil parish.

<1> Cadman G., 2014, 20th Century Military Archaeology in Northamptonshire: Logs 1, 2 & 3, v.14 p.15 (unchecked) (Report). SNN104868.

<2> Dr M Osbourne, 1997, List of Northamptonshire Pillboxes, (unchecked) (Note). SNN101917.

<3> Smith D.J., 1989, British Military Airfields 1939-45, 108; 128-9; 222-3 (Book). SNN39512.

<4> CADMAN G.E., 1997, Oral report to SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN39696.

<5> Armishaw, A., 1995, Defence of Britain Project Site Report Form, (checked) (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN51414.

<6> Armishaw, A., 1995, Pillbox at Hinton in the Hedges Airfield, (checked) (Photographs). SNN52330.

<7> Armishaw, A., 1995, Pillbox at Hinton in the Hedges Airfield, (checked) (Plan). SNN109636.

<8> Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources (Database). SNN112922.

<9> Historic England, Undated, Defence of Britain (Archive). SNN112947.

<10> Ordnance Survey Map (Scale/date), 1:10000, 1982 (Map). SNN112944.

Record last edited

Oct 16 2023 2:44PM