Welcome back all! In this post, I’m going to look at the two things on Two Tree Island that captured our attention when we went there (see BTP Joe’s previous post). The first is a pillbox from the Second World War, and the next is a concealed stagnant pond/lake, which features concrete strips running down it.
The first, as I say, is a pillbox which is located on the very eastern most point of Two Tree Island (just before the marshland), facing out at the invader coming down the Thames. It was in poor condition, suffering a gaping hole in it’s roof, and the concrete around it flaking away with the lightest touch. Despite this, I do think that it demonstrates an excellent example of a pillbox, showing not only strategical placement, but also well preserved firing loops (another word for firing ‘holes’ or ‘slits’). You can see the way the slits bevel in on the inside allowing for the pivoting of a Bren light machine gun. It had one entrance, and three other slits, being square. Also, on the inside, it had a section extruding from the main square shape, as if it was a shelf area, but i’m not sure what it’s purpose was. It also had another large hole, but I think that this may have been a weathered firing slit, rather than a door. The areas where the walls met the roof were reinforced with corrugated iron. All this can be seen in the below pictures, although the picture of the door can be seen in BTP Joe’s post on Two Tree Island:
Next up is where you come into play! We came across a large ‘pond’ or lake, whatever you want to call it, which appears to be artificial – being square, but rather old. It can only be easily seen from a bird hide, and features some metal poles protruding, and concrete strips running down it. If you know what Two Tree Island used to function as, or what this pond may be, please drop a comment, we’d be very interested!
The birds loved this place, and many of two Tree Island’s infamous Little Egrets can be seen roosting in the bushes.
