TQ5384 : Pillbox, Hornchurch Country Park
taken 13 years ago, near to Elm Park, Havering, England
Hornchurch Country Park is on the former site of Hornchurch Airfield, in the London Borough of Havering.
The River Ingrebourne passes through the park and if forms part of Thames Chase Community Forest. The London Outer Orbital Path runs through the park. The most popular part of the park is to the west of the Ingrebourne, where the ground is flat and paved; this area is most commonly frequented by dog walkers. The woodland to the east of the river is somewhat inaccessible. Some southern parts of the park that reach into Rainham have been used as landfill.
There are a number of pillboxes and other items dating from the Second World War to be found in the park
In 1940 a network of defences was hastily built all over Britain to prevent an expected German invasion. The most common of these defences were called “pillboxes”, squat concrete forts that were sited at road junctions, canals and other strategic points.
With the passage of time it is estimated that fewer than 6,000 of a total of 28,000 pillboxes built still survive. They remain as permanent monuments and a silent tribute to the courage and tenacity of the British people during the dark days of 1940 when Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany.
More detail see Link