NHER 32572 (Monument record) - World War Two pillbox and Allan Williams turret

Type 22 pill box (date 1940).
Once stood on westernmost bastion of promenade.
Now destroyed.
Survey No. D3-18.
1940 Alan Williams turret.
Stood on top of pill box D3-18.
See (S1)
D. Walker (NLA) July 1996.

Central grid reference of pillbox moved from TG 2129 4249 to TG 2135 4247.

October 2004. Norfolk NMP.
A World War Two pillbox with an alan williams turret positioned on the top is visible positioned on a bastion at the western end of the Esplanade on Cromer seafront (S2 and S4). The pillbox was constructed between October 1940 (S5) and August 1941 (S2) and has been demolished by June 1946 (S6). To the west of this emplacement is a further type 22 pillbox is visible in 1940 and destroyed by 1941. The whole length of Cromer Esplanade is protected by pillboxes positioned at regular intervals creating a continuous line of coastal defence (NHER 38857 to 8, NHER 38863, 38849 to 51).

When viewed from the seaward side on the oblique aerial photographs from 1941 (S3) the pillbox would appears to be a normal hexagonal type 22 pillbox, with a central dome on the top. This has previously been recorded as having been the location of an alan williams turret emplacement by [1] and this would appear to be consistent with the circular dome visible projecting from the top of the structure. Despite the base having the front appearance of a type 22 pillbox, when viewed from the air in 1941 to 1942 (S2, S4), the plan of the structure has a more star like shape, measuring up to 7m across. A wartime ground photograph may reveal that this is due to an entrance and/or blast wall conjoined to the southern side of the structure (Brooks, 1988:14) (S7). A set of steps visible leading to the top of the structure may also be confusing the view in stereo. It is assumed that the elaborate pillbox visible in the photograph is this site, as known of the other pillboxes have this central dome. Although some caution must be applied as the location does not completely match with that shown on the aerial photographs, with regards nearby structures visible in 1941 oblique photographs (S3).
S. Massey (NMP), 14 October 2004.