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Post by orfyboothen on Aug 20, 2023 18:59:48 GMT
Can any local military history buffs help with this one..?
My lad is war history crazy and is reading about a gang of kids hiding in a disused pillbox. Wants to visit one. Is there something high up near Chesterton/ Bignall End? Or elsewhere?
Google search unproductive...
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Post by slippyblunger on Aug 20, 2023 19:08:00 GMT
I'm sure they have one in Uttoxeter
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Post by orfyboothen on Aug 20, 2023 19:11:43 GMT
Can any local military history buffs help with this one..? My lad is war history crazy and is reading about a gang of kids hiding in a disused pillbox. Wants to visit one. Is there something high up near Chesterton/ Bignall End? Or elsewhere? Google search unproductive... Any other similar sites a anywhere local folks? No admission fee, ideally! |
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Post by felonious on Aug 20, 2023 19:13:35 GMT
Can any local military history buffs help with this one..? My lad is war history crazy and is reading about a gang of kids hiding in a disused pillbox. Wants to visit one. Is there something high up near Chesterton/ Bignall End? Or elsewhere? Google search unproductive... Wychnor near Alrewas/ Burton. mapcarta.com/W485558258 |
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Post by felonious on Aug 20, 2023 19:16:17 GMT
I've just notices there is a "blown up" one near Cheddleton so perhaps the confusion with Chesterton.
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Post by Dutchpeter on Aug 20, 2023 19:24:06 GMT
There’s a machine gun pill box by the Shropshire Union canal in woodseaves. The canal was supposed to be a defensive in case of a German invasion in 1940. Further along the canal in Market Drayton is this grade 2 listed pill box historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1393697. They’re generally not worth entering as they’re filthy and used as toilets. |
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Post by felonious on Aug 20, 2023 19:29:00 GMT
I think Potterinleeds may be able to help if anyone can.
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Post by Dutchpeter on Aug 20, 2023 19:30:12 GMT
Can any local military history buffs help with this one..? My lad is war history crazy and is reading about a gang of kids hiding in a disused pillbox. Wants to visit one. Is there something high up near Chesterton/ Bignall End? Or elsewhere? Google search unproductive... There’s also the remains of a WW2 artillery piece in Keele Woods if that would interest your lad too. |
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Post by fullmetaljacket on Aug 20, 2023 19:34:52 GMT
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Post by pretzel on Aug 20, 2023 19:53:51 GMT
It's a while since I walked it but as I remember there are TWO pillboxes still just about standing that used to guard the bridge over the Dove at Ellaston. As I say it's been a while but I don't think it's too far a trek off the main road in Ellaston to find this bridge on the border of Staffordshire and Derbyshire www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6617812Edit (if it works) Machine gun placement on Ellaston BridgeThe pill box is the other side of the river but well hidden among the bushes |
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Post by butlerstbob on Aug 20, 2023 19:57:30 GMT
There are a few on the river dove, especially around Uttoxeter!
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Post by slippyblunger on Aug 20, 2023 20:02:42 GMT
Can any local military history buffs help with this one..? My lad is war history crazy and is reading about a gang of kids hiding in a disused pillbox. Wants to visit one. Is there something high up near Chesterton/ Bignall End? Or elsewhere? Google search unproductive... Any other similar sites a anywhere local folks? No admission fee, ideally! Not a pillbox but they've got the secret bunker near nantwich . More cold war era but was used during WWII as well. We used to play in the old air raid shelters as kids on the aerodrome in Meir but they got rid of most of them when they expanded the meir park estate, not sure if there are any left. |
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Post by iancransonsknees on Aug 20, 2023 20:14:05 GMT
 OS manned one in the home guard. |
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Post by jesusmcmuffin on Aug 20, 2023 22:12:15 GMT
Can any local military history buffs help with this one..? My lad is war history crazy and is reading about a gang of kids hiding in a disused pillbox. Wants to visit one. Is there something high up near Chesterton/ Bignall End? Or elsewhere? Google search unproductive... As someone mentioned is the bunker in Nantwich and a Pillbox not far away, forget the name of the village but imagine easy to Google. Not too far and would be an interesting afternoon for him followed by ice cream |
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Post by PotteringThrough on Aug 21, 2023 11:42:27 GMT
There’s one down the path from the car park at JCB down to the lakes. As you’re walking down it’s on the right. Nice enough walk around the lake as well. Found this website as well which might be useful: mapcarta.com/W485558258/Map |
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Post by somersetstokie on Aug 21, 2023 20:51:40 GMT
There’s a machine gun pill box by the Shropshire Union canal in woodseaves. The canal was supposed to be a defensive in case of a German invasion in 1940. Further along the canal in Market Drayton is this grade 2 listed pill box historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1393697. They’re generally not worth entering as they’re filthy and used as toilets. Interesting location mate! Indeed the Pill box is on the Woodseaves to Newport Road. Bridge 39 also known as "High Bridge" as it crosses the deep Woodseaves canal cutting and is tall enough to house a small Telegraph pole within its structure! historicengland.org.uk/etl/1406777/b2065730-a05c-4fad-bae9-f36c061f81f4.jpg?autorotate=true&height=500&mode=max&quality=80The site is infamous as being the location of several sightings of the so called "Monkey Man", a shaggy coated ape like figure believed to be associated with a boatman who died in the "cut" in the late 19th century. |
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Post by somersetstokie on Aug 21, 2023 22:40:31 GMT
During the early part of WW2, a number of defensive "Stop" lines were set up around the country to guard against a potential German invasion. The majority of the Military Pill Boxes were constructed as part of these defenses and were sited at strategic points along predictable enemy advance routes, particularly along Canals and Rivers. If you can identify the stop line then you can locate the Pillboxes. I think the local regional Stop line in the area was Stop Line number 5, which covered parts of the Trent Valley. I think there is still a pill box on the Wolseley Bridge, near Milford Common by Brocton (Stafford) and the entrance to Shugborough, on the road to Colwich.
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Post by orfyboothen on Aug 22, 2023 6:18:12 GMT
Thanks for all of the info folks - very much appreciated. ☺️
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Post by lawrieleslie on Aug 22, 2023 7:33:57 GMT
Can any local military history buffs help with this one..? My lad is war history crazy and is reading about a gang of kids hiding in a disused pillbox. Wants to visit one. Is there something high up near Chesterton/ Bignall End? Or elsewhere? Google search unproductive... Wychnor near Alrewas/ Burton. mapcarta.com/W485558258Combine it with visits to the National Arboretum and Cosford RAF museum. Both free. |
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Post by raythesailor on Aug 22, 2023 8:02:32 GMT
During the early part of WW2, a number of defensive "Stop" lines were set up around the country to guard against a potential German invasion. The majority of the Military Pill Boxes were constructed as part of these defenses and were sited at strategic points along predictable enemy advance routes, particularly along Canals and Rivers. If you can identify the stop line then you can locate the Pillboxes. I think the local regional Stop line in the area was Stop Line number 5, which covered parts of the Trent Valley. I think there is still a pill box on the Wolseley Bridge, near Milford Common by Brocton (Stafford) and the entrance to Shugborough, on the road to Colwich. I am impressed by your knowledge of the area where I live😁 There is a pill box at Wolseley Bridge. It's not easily identifiable as it is surrounded by trees and shrubs etc. The box overlooks the bridge as the A51 crosses the Trent. Long before motorways were thought of this was a major trunck road and forms part of the route between London , Manchester and the NW. Strategic sighting would gave an excellent defensive location in the case of invasion. As an aside; Upon completion of the building of Wolseley Bridge the engineers next project was London Bridge over the Thames |
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Post by somersetstokie on Aug 22, 2023 9:31:59 GMT
raythesailor: "I am impressed by your knowledge of the area where I live"😁
Just for the record Ray, Cannock Chase is one of my "special interest" areas. A centre of much weirdness, from UFO'S and Black Eyed Children, to the so called "Staffordshire Bigfoot!
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Post by PotteringThrough on Aug 22, 2023 10:54:59 GMT
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Post by NassauDave on Aug 22, 2023 15:49:06 GMT
There’s a machine gun pill box by the Shropshire Union canal in woodseaves. The canal was supposed to be a defensive in case of a German invasion in 1940. Further along the canal in Market Drayton is this grade 2 listed pill box historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1393697. They’re generally not worth entering as they’re filthy and used as toilets. Interesting location mate! Indeed the Pill box is on the Woodseaves to Newport Road. Bridge 39 also known as "High Bridge" as it crosses the deep Woodseaves canal cutting and is tall enough to house a small Telegraph pole within its structure! historicengland.org.uk/etl/1406777/b2065730-a05c-4fad-bae9-f36c061f81f4.jpg?autorotate=true&height=500&mode=max&quality=80The site is infamous as being the location of several sightings of the so called "Monkey Man", a shaggy coated ape like figure believed to be associated with a boatman who died in the "cut" in the late 19th century. Last seen cleaning the shit houses at Fail Park. |
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Post by questionable on Aug 22, 2023 17:33:19 GMT
Any other similar sites a anywhere local folks? No admission fee, ideally! Not a pillbox but they've got the secret bunker near nantwich . More cold war era but was used during WWII as well. We used to play in the old air raid shelters as kids on the aerodrome in Meir but they got rid of most of them when they expanded the meir park estate, not sure if there are any left. Made me laugh when I came across the Secret Bunker signs as it’s not that secret advertising it but we actually live very close to it now and visited not long ago, it was ok and if WW3 kicks off I’ll head over.. |
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Post by mattador78 on Aug 22, 2023 20:30:00 GMT
Can any local military history buffs help with this one..? My lad is war history crazy and is reading about a gang of kids hiding in a disused pillbox. Wants to visit one. Is there something high up near Chesterton/ Bignall End? Or elsewhere? Google search unproductive... The bramptons actually got some good stuff in there. My family bugle is in there, my great grandads brother was blown up in the First World War and that was all that was found and returned to his mum, the dents visible in the side. He went out for bread and sent the bread and change home and signed up as one of kitcheners volunteers, he was exempt as he was a miner but felt he had to do his part. |
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Post by orfyboothen on Aug 22, 2023 20:44:18 GMT
Can any local military history buffs help with this one..? My lad is war history crazy and is reading about a gang of kids hiding in a disused pillbox. Wants to visit one. Is there something high up near Chesterton/ Bignall End? Or elsewhere? Google search unproductive... The bramptons actually got some good stuff in there. My family bugle is in there, my great grandads brother was blown up in the First World War and that was all that was found and returned to his mum, the dents visible in the side. He went out for bread and sent the bread and change home and signed up as one of kitcheners volunteers, he was exempt as he was a miner but felt he had to do his part. Oh my word. That's beyond sad. A world that's hard to imagine for us, eh? I hope the bugle helped the family in some way... |
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Post by slippyblunger on Aug 22, 2023 21:16:25 GMT
Speaking of world wars. I enjoy genealogy as a hobby and researched my great grandads WW1 army records. He was 1/5 North Staffordshire regiment and when the men went over the top into battle they were known for shouting 'Up the Potters' as their battle cry.
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Post by dutchstokie on Aug 23, 2023 13:18:41 GMT
Can any local military history buffs help with this one..? My lad is war history crazy and is reading about a gang of kids hiding in a disused pillbox. Wants to visit one. Is there something high up near Chesterton/ Bignall End? Or elsewhere? Google search unproductive... If you ever get over to NL. your lad would enjoy this place: forteilandijmuiden.com/over/geschiedenis-forteiland/( If you just copy and paste the texinto google translate you can get a simple jist of whats going on...... Our office overlooks this, along with a submarine bunker and many many pill boxes and rusting "X" tank trap things rusting on the dunes ........ Whats fascinating about the bunkers at fort Island is the some of the poems scratched onto the walls of the bunkers are from German soldiers longing to be home and stopping the 'heavenly carnage' as they put it. Bothe me and the boy loved it when we went...... |
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Post by orfyboothen on Aug 23, 2023 18:41:53 GMT
Can any local military history buffs help with this one..? My lad is war history crazy and is reading about a gang of kids hiding in a disused pillbox. Wants to visit one. Is there something high up near Chesterton/ Bignall End? Or elsewhere? Google search unproductive... If you ever get over to NL. your lad would enjoy this place: forteilandijmuiden.com/over/geschiedenis-forteiland/( If you just copy and paste the texinto google translate you can get a simple jist of whats going on...... Our office overlooks this, along with a submarine bunker and many many pill boxes and rusting "X" tank trap things rusting on the dunes ........ Whats fascinating about the bunkers at fort Island is the some of the poems scratched onto the walls of the bunkers are from German soldiers longing to be home and stopping the 'heavenly carnage' as they put it. Bothe me and the boy loved it when we went...... Sounds right up our street. Thanks so much for the info!!!! |
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