WWII - Type 22 Pill Box

Architectural Heritage Dossier

covering Thornton, (FY5), Lancashire

Compiled by Mike Pollard, 2009   Second Issue

Pictures by Mike Pollard 2007

Not strictly within Thornton but I wanted to include this building which has survived demolition.  If needed, it would have played a role in the defence of Thornton.

Description

Pill Box, 1940, Concrete, Hexagonal plan, Flat roof.  Single storey, all at ground level.  Single gun embrasures on each wall and a protected door at the rear.

History details

One of, if not the last surviving example within the Borough of Wyre, this pill box is situated on the B5268 and covers one of two road routes out of Fleetwood, it was built as part of the WWII "Stop Line" plan of defensive coastal lines which were designed to stop or interrupt any enemy invasion.

There are usually, but not always, five rifle embrasures or loopholes, one in each of the five walls with a protected door in the sixth.

Official designation is FW3/22, walls are around 12” – 15” thick (30 – 40cm), internal dimensions between opposite walls is around 10 feet

(3 metres).

Rifle embrasure from outside.  There were numerous designs for these, including stepped, scalloped or bricked, this box has raked with 45 degree sides.  One in each side except for the rear which has two, one either side of the door which are slightly different.

Inside view showing front embrasure and partial dividing partition on the right which extends forwards for about 2 metres from the rear door.

Rear view shows entrance of protected rear door.  When entering you have to turn either left or right and then the box is partially divided by a central wall which makes it very difficult to shoot into the box or make a surprise entry without alerting the occupants.

Despite 69 years of exposure to the elements the box is in excellent condition and completely vandal proof!