TRANSFORMATION OF A TYPE 24 PILLBOX

by

TIM DENTON

The beginning of March 2008 saw myself and fellow PSG member TIM BURT meet up again to work on an overgrown Type 24 Pillbox.

I had previously `made over` the matching example at the beginning of January 2008 as an on going project. This enabled me to show PSG members a `cleaned off` example during the winter defence walk in February.

Sited on private land in North Hampshire this GHQ line shell proof example was built for site. Dug in, its rear has a brick lined trench partially protecting its doorway. The narrow trench has a concrete lined base running to the end of its vertical stepped brickwork.

A great deal of the shuttering on the sides has now subsided and collapsed within the trench.

The structure was mostly covered in ivy and small trees that had taken root in the leaf mould covered roof during the last 67 years.

Ivy, moss and other forms of vegetation had spread all over the roof top, and had also covered the chamfered roofline, loopholes and outer walls.

Removing the vegetation was time consuming and tiring, but can be done if you have the enthusiasm, energy and right tools!

Much of the roof blanket covering was removed in large section as if rolling up a rug or carpet, the outer walls were scrapped free of their growth and given a brush.

After about three hours our work was more or less complete, finishing off the job by brushing the roof clean.

The defence is now exposed and can be studied in more detail.

The pillbox walls are 51" thick and the overall measurement across the rear wall totals 232".

Parts of remaining flame proof flaps can still be found in some of the cast embrasures.

Set in the perimeter of the roof edge, and into the rear walls are numerous camouflage net retaining hooks.

Close examination of the ground and undergrowth surrounding the pillbox produced at least a dozen or so short metal picket pegs still set in the soil.

Internally the Type 24 is in good condition and does not suffer from water ingress; two small metal drains can be seen set into the floor.

In the few weeks since the job was complete the rain has done its job in washing the flat roof area to expose a gravelled stony finish. This I believe was to help prevent reflections and to attempt to camouflage the pillbox from aerial view.

TIM DENTON

WELL DONE TO TIM DENTON & TIM BURT.

THIS IS ANOTHER EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF PILLBOX RESTORATION BY PSG MEMBERS

Copyright Graham G Matthews@PSG2008