Guess the Place

[johnfilmer]

As part of GHQ Stop Line it would be expected to delay and hopefully compartmentalise invading German troops while mobile Allied defenders could be used to better effect.

The weir and lock probably had some strategic significance in maintaining the river as a navigable route.

[John Walker]

Thanks JohnFilmer.  That seems like a lot of protection for that particular bridge.  I wonder why it was so important?

[johnfilmer]

That's the one JW. The undergrowth obscures it nowadays.

I looked about for context and found this: http://www.pillbox-study-group.org.uk/gazeteer/home-front-defence-sites/england/kent/defending-teston-bridge-kent/

Over to you JW

[John Walker]

There were six pillboxes in the immediate area

Found it. On the A26, opposite the gatehouse to Barham Court, Teston.

[johnfilmer]

There were six pillboxes in the immediate area

[MartinR]

The West Kent Hospital is visible on the 1870 6" OS map as "Genl Hospital (West Kent)".  See https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/#zoom=18.0&lat=51.27465&lon=0.52894&layers=257&b=1&o=100 for the overlay map.

[johnfilmer]

Might help to consider what it might be defending.

[John Walker]

I've found a photo of a similar one near Teston but haven't located it yet?

[johnfilmer]

Not the A20.

[John Walker]

A20?

[johnfilmer]

That was hard work to finally find that it was a building within a few hundred yards of our old business premises...

Both my sons were born there, we had the 3am dash for the first. My wife got some strange looks when she was asked about how often the contractions had been, and she said that she had to stop timing them that evening while she mucked out the stables. Luckily I'm allergic to horses 

Meanwhile, back on topic, where is this pillbox? The road is a busy A road that I suspect many of us (certainly me) have used many times.

Mid Kent

[John Walker]

Well done JohnFilmer.  West Kent Hospital, Maidstone.  My maternal great grandfather, George Impett, was employed as head gardener at Roydon Hall in 1906.  The family lived in a tied-cottage near Wateringbury.  In 1907, my great-grandfather suddenly became ill and was taken to the West Kent Hospital, where he died.  (The family story is that he was kicked in the head by a horse)
My Great Grandmother and five children were then forced to leave the tied-cottage and moved to Canterbury, where they lived in a slum for many years.

[johnfilmer]

It’s the old Maidstone Hospital in Marsham Street, where now stands Hengist Court.

[Beachbum]

Thomas Place, Maidstone?

[John Walker]

Beachbum is closest with King's Lodge, Maidstone.  Don't forget, this building was demolished in the 80s/90s.

Replaced by a large sheltered housing complex which is named after an ancient king.