Site Event/Activity record ECH5839 - Old Iron Ore Quay Pill Box

A type 24 pillbox with an unusual anti-aircraft (AA) enclosure attached to the rear. It will have been associated with a vulnerable position (VP). In this instance the VP is may have been RAF Hawarden. External: The AA enclosure was entered by a set of metal hand/foot holds built into the south-west face. These have been broken off with only the stubs remaining. The floor of the AA psition is raised c.500mm from ground level and traces of the AA mount were visible in the centre of the small enclosure's raised floor. The enclosure wall has a small 'step' at the top of south-east face. This may have acted as a loophole. The entrance to the pillbox is via an offset door from the AA enclosure. Internal: There was no evidence for a stove, which would indicate that this was not a permanently occupied position. There is evidence for a shelf or table below each of the forward facing loopholes, possilbly to accomodate a LMG. Condition: There are cracks evident in the structure, but it is in no danger of collapse. The sides of the structure are heavily graffited, but this seems to have faded from the previous visit in 2004. It is unclear if the structure has been subject to cleaning. If so, this may be responsible for some localised spalling of the concrete. The structure would benefit from some minor repairs. Assessment: The pillbox is based on War Office design DFW 3/24, but lacks the Y shaped AR screen and the rear pistol loops. The entrance is is offset, rather than central, and the pillbox has an anti-aircraft enclosure attached to the rear. There are similar examples of DFW 3/22 type pillboxes with an attached AA enclosure in Bedfordshire (for airfield defence) and Essex (for coastal defence) (see 2). Near Wrexham, is a near identical type 24 pillbox built of brick. This example has a centrally placed door between the AA enclosure and the pill box and was built as a guard post for an ROF installation.