Pillboxes, thrills and heartache!

Unknown

Ok finally some time to myself to add to this post. Taking some time out for a little cycling and pillbox hunting i followed the Thames up from Goring to Wallingford. Missing out on the type 22 south of Goring bridge and having previously looked for the 22 north of Goring bridge (removed), i decided to cycle on the West bank of the Thames and see how far i could get before heading back. Enjoyable but tiring at the same time.

Having looked for the gun emplacement (am i ever going to get to one), i moved off to finally get success.

Located between two properties :

S0012061 Moulsford

I brazenly walked into the garden at the side of the property and took some external shots and a few internals.

The view from the other side of the fence. The entrance to the Pillbox was North Facing.

S0012059 by Moulsford Railway bridge (western side) will need revisitng as it was completely hidden away. I was contemplating getting up behind the fencing further along but even David Bellamy would have had a hard time getting through that undergrowth. I decided to continue along the bank. Again through hellish perseverance i finally got to this pillbox on another visit to the area.

S0012056
Now opened up and the gate taken off. This has been converted into a bat house but was completely empty when i got there. Thankfully the Maglight was used in this one as i might have freaked out if the bats were using their new home. As you can see - all the embrasures have been sealed off. The entrance is accessible from the North side of the farmers field.

The tiny crawlspace of an entrance.

S0012053
Located on the West Bank opposite to Cholsey and set away from the river bank. This Pillbox is part of the connected line of defences running along the approach to the Weir further up the canal. Further up are two type 28A Pillboxes which offer a greater defensive option should the area have ever been under attack.

Set up high on it's base and presumably due to this being a floodplain.

A view of the smashed AR wall. Quite a section of the wall has been knocked down and was possibly a vague attempt at destroying the pillbox. Thankfully some farmers have converted the pillboxes into storage areas, cattle sheds (with the type 28's being a good size to do so), even storage areas for farm equipment. As mentioned previously - when entering a farmers property, unless there is a well maintained public right of way - it is advisable to seek permission to walk the land.

I'm not sure what this was or was for?

S0012054

Opposite bank located south of North Stoke. Enticing me to get around to the other bank one day!

There is very noticeable subsidence there.

S0012052

Sat right on the tow path. It wasn't until i cycled back i noticed a rail socket sat smack in the middle of the path. The undergrowth is heavy in this area and there could be more.

Back to the Type 22.

Original Pillbox identification number.

Sometimes the views along the canal are just spot on and need recording.

Something always catches my eye when out walking. Be that a church, building, or as in this instance, a memorial or dedication. Pause for thought.

S0012047

The first of the 28's i came across. Sat to the North of Wallingford Bridge and located next to a camping site. This is completely sealed off.

Fairly intact brick shuttering.

The main gun embrasure was facing eastwards and intended to offer defensive protection to the obvious target of a river crossing.

Finally the rain set in and i stood in a fresh cow pat to add to the fun!

S0012048

South of Wallingford Bridge and set away from the bank on a line of trees. Thankfully the cows were at the opposite end of the field.

Defence number 319 just visible. This pillbox was again set up as a bat house and probably occupied judging by the bat walk notices around the area.

S0012043

South of Benson Lock and on the opposite bank of the Thames. Type 28.

S0007162

Southern facing and in marshy ground. It has a twin ramp in evidence.

An intriguing lip to each corner of the 28. As an aside - all pillboxes were contracted out to local builders and as such often small quirks in the build often showed up. Some builds were hastily put up but others showed real craftmanship. Occasionally a cheeky signature and date was placed into the we concrete to add some real interest and character.

I then decided to head over to Benson Lock and take a rest. Thankfully this was the right decision as instead of crossing the long marshy field and leaving my bike behind i took the more cultured route around the rear of the lock and got to the pillbox really easily. I'm sure the Lock Keeper was perplexed at a mud covered idiot sat smoking and eating on one of the benches. As i walked off down the side of the lock to the 28 i'm sure his suspicions grew.