NHER 32427 (Monument record) - Site of World War Two pillbox

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Summary

This World War Two pillbox is associated with Swanton Morley airfield (NHER 2830). Although it survived in 2002, plans were in place to demolish it.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TF91NE
Civil Parish HOE, BRECKLAND, NORFOLK

Map

1995. Field Observation.
A common World War Two type 22 pillbox located 150m from the perimeter track of Swanton Morely airfield (NHER 2830). Survey No. K2-7.
Information from member of the public [1]. See record form (S1) in file.
D. Walker (NLA), August 1996.

2002. Field Observation.
One of six surviving hexagonal type 22 pillboxes around Swanton Morley airfield (NHER 2830). This example is situated outside the perimeter track, on the west side of the airfield. The pillbox was covered in a thick layer of turf instead of being camouflaged in a hedge. The concrete core exhibited some cracks and a large portion of the brick shuttering had fallen away from the exterior, but the interior remained in relatively good condition. However, gravel extraction has been planned for this area and this pillbox is to be demolished.

June 2002. Building Survey.
Survey carried out in advance of demolition and gravel extraction (see NHER 37159).
This pillbox was probably constructed between June 1940 and May 1941. The pillbox retained a vegetation covered mound on the roof designed to provide camouflage from the air.
See report (S2) for further details.
NGR corrected to TF 9955 1886 from original of TF 9945 1900. Correction based on information in (S3).
D. Robertson (NLA), 14 March 2006.

March 2008. Norfolk NMP.
This pillbox is visible on aerial photographs (S4) within an area of military defences and structures recorded as part of the main Swanton Morley record (NHER 2830).
S. Massey (NMP), 03 March 2008.

  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.
  • <S1> Recording Form: [various]. Norfolk Defensive Structures Survey Recording Form. Norfolk Defensive Structures Survey.
  • <S2> Unpublished Contractor Report: Trimble, G. and Underdown, S. 2002. Report on an Archaeological Evaluation on land adjoining Swanton Morley Airfield, Beetley, Norfolk. Norfolk Archaeological Unit. 770. pp 11-13.
  • <S3> Unpublished Document: Bamford, H.. 2002. MPP Sites Report..
  • <S4> Vertical Aerial Photograph: RAF. 1946. RAF 3G/TUD/UK/51 5125-6 31-JAN-1946 (NMR).

Object Types (0)

Record last edited

Mar 17 2026 10:15AM

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