Continuing on from Dogmersfield and heading along the Canal in a Westerly direction that eventually takes you to the outskirts of Odiham i decided to concentrate on a small section of the canal which had a convenient cluster of pillboxes. I eventually discovered a Loopholed wall that has now been added to the DoB, and my first Pillbox with a power supply and a convenient power socket should i wish to charge my camera and laptop that i used to lug around with me. I forgot to switch the light off and had to go back and switch it off. My mum would have been proud of me!
I wish the Google Earth App on my phone could accept the DoB layer as a convenient reference point should i ever need it.
I was also rewarded with my first pillbox which still has evidence of camouflage paint on the inside which was another real first for me. Aside from getting to see and document each pillbox, it is a small reward when you see the small personal touches to a pillbox.
The day itself was very hot and the only downside to the day was the collection of grass seeds that seem to attract themselves to my socks and in-bed themselves. Many a pair of socks i have simply just thrown away rather than pick these painfully sharp seeds out.
As i say, each pillbox can offer so much in the way of historical interest and in this instance with two pillboxes - i was given the chance to view the cammo support rods for the first time.
I wish the Google Earth App on my phone could accept the DoB layer as a convenient reference point should i ever need it.
I was also rewarded with my first pillbox which still has evidence of camouflage paint on the inside which was another real first for me. Aside from getting to see and document each pillbox, it is a small reward when you see the small personal touches to a pillbox.
The day itself was very hot and the only downside to the day was the collection of grass seeds that seem to attract themselves to my socks and in-bed themselves. Many a pair of socks i have simply just thrown away rather than pick these painfully sharp seeds out.
As i say, each pillbox can offer so much in the way of historical interest and in this instance with two pillboxes - i was given the chance to view the cammo support rods for the first time.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24): S0012856
Sat to the rear of the Old Rectory and close to a cottage, this pillbox is located in the corner of the field. Initially quite difficult to find due to being overgrown and in the harsh sunlight it took a while to adjust to the familiar shape of an overgrown pillbox.
Loophole shutter in place.
Loophole shutter in closed position with the draw cable in place.
Draw cable hooked into place to keep the shutter in the closed position.
X shaped AR wall with the mysterious gap in the top. Never sure about the need for that in the build.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24): S0011160
Continuing further into the field and following the line of the field there is a copse of trees where this Type 24 is sat. It was hard going just getting that short distance in a dried out and ploughed field. I needed a breather and a drink after that small excursion. Facing South-West and offering a field of fire towards Sprats Hatch Bridge, again this pillbox, though slightly overgrown is in great condition.
Back out onto the canal to find the Type 24 sat up on the right banks of the canal.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24): S0011164
Spratt's Hatch Farm, nr. Winchfield.
Facing eastwards down Spratt's Hatch Lane.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24): S0011163
On S bank of Basingstoke Canal, Winchfield. Facing West and looking out onto the canal. Located in Yew Tree Copse this was a slightly different proposition to get to than the one detailed above. Going from a quiet country lane with grass being mow, to the standard practice of struggling through a wooded area and attempting to jump small muddy brooks. Despite it being slightly overgrown, it was worth the wait.
Camouflage Paint still in evidence. A real first!
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24): S0011162
Swans Farm, Winchfield.
Sat high up on the top of the bank next to the canal, Brick-shuttered type 24 pillbox, with chamfered roof edges.
Taking a walk back out towards Bagwell Lane to look for what turned out to be an elusive and possibly removed pillbox, i walked through Swan's Farm. There is something about a farm that always is of interest and in this instance, aside from the dilapidated shed with their ageing curved roofs, something caught my eye. Loopholes in a wall looking out towards Bagwell Lane!. Surely not was my first reaction as this was something totally unexpected. Upon closer inspection i had indeed found an undocumented Loopholed Wall. This has subsequently been recorded and data based. A small win and it made up for not locating the pillbox i was initially after.
LOOPHOLED WALL
The final visit for the day was to view the two Vickers Machine Gun Emplacements located South of Poulter's Bridge and then catch the two pillboxes located near to Triggs Farm. One of the VMG emplacments has sadly been destroyed and just a few bricks remained. The other - i managed to document.
VICKERS MACHINE GUN EMPLACEMENT: S0006974
At edge of old quarry pit on the side of a hillock, South of Poulter's Bridge.
Square brick-shuttered medium machine gun emplacement. Forward-facing two corners are 'cut-off'. Concrete firing table. Large stepped main embrasure. Corrugated-iron shuttered roof. Non-attached blast wall on S side. Partly overgrown. Faces West. Access possible, including interior - close to public footpath. Rectangular pillbox, with internal dimensions of 7ft x 8ft, with walls 42ins thick. In the front wall is a large stepped embrasure 5ft across on the outside. With a blast wall with an embrasure.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24): S0011167
Triggs Farm, between Crookham Village and Bowling Alley Lane.
Turfed roof to disguise the profile [camouflage]. Holes in the shelves for weapon supports.
Sat further back in the field and sat in the rear of a property.
PILLBOX (TYPE FW3/24): S0006826
Bowenhurst Copse, between Crookham Village and Bowling Alley Lane. Overgrown and flooded. Well dug in (four steps down). Asbestos embrasure shutters in place. Metal hooks for camouflage netting. Type 24 pillbox; brick-shuttered - faces South.
That concludes this visit and wander about.
Thanks for viewing the report.
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