Pillbox on the east side of Worcester and Birmingham Canal

West of Pershore Road, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 2JF

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Overview

A pillbox and probable watchtower, constructed around 1940-1941. Read the official list entry to find out more.

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1451752
Date first listed:: 14-Mar-2018
List Entry Name:: Pillbox on the east side of Worcester and Birmingham Canal
Statutory Address:: West of Pershore Road, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 2JF

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1451752
Date first listed:: 14-Mar-2018
List Entry Name:: Pillbox on the east side of Worcester and Birmingham Canal
Location Description:
Statutory Address 1:: West of Pershore Road, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 2JF

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: West of Pershore Road, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 2JF

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

District:: Birmingham (Metropolitan Authority)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: SP0533280454

Summary

A pillbox and probable watchtower, constructed around 1940-1941.

Reasons for Designation

The two-storey pillbox on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal at Stirchley, constructed around 1940-1941, is listed at Grade II for the following principal reasons:

Architectural interest: * For its interesting and unusual hybrid form, combining a pillbox and lookout post; * The structure retains its essential character and functional legibility.

Historic interest: * It illustrates a key position defending a factory of importance to the war effort, and is a poignant visual reminder of the impact of world events on this area.

History

The earliest examples of pillboxes date from the First World War, but the concept was developed in the early stages of the Second World War, when many thousands were built, though only a limited proportion survive. They were placed at strategic locations, many along 'stop lines' intended to slow down the progress of an attacking force. Others were built to defend important installations such as airfields or munitions factories.

The pillbox at Stirchley was erected in 1940-1941 on the east side of the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, adjacent to a screw mill (not extant). This factory was owned by Guest, Keen and Nettlefords Limited (GKN), a leading manufacturer of screws, bolts, nuts and other fasteners who, during the Second World War, produced Spitfires; steel, forgings and fasteners for tanks and aircraft; and steel helmets at its various factories in the West Midlands and elsewhere in the country. It is understood that the Stirchley factory also served as the headquarters of the GKN Breedon Hill Home Guard during this conflict. The pillbox appears to be a variation of a Norcon pillbox type CP/6/40/111. It has been suggested (Defence of Britain, 2002) that this tall, circular structure was designed to resemble an industrial chimney in order to disguise its intended function; however, its purpose is more likely to have been as a watchtower or spotter post to warn of incoming threats to the adjacent factory. The pillbox below may have served as a place of refuge for those manning the watch tower.

Details

A pillbox and probable watchtower, constructed around 1940-1941.

MATERIALS: reinforced, shuttered concrete.

PLAN: circular on plan with a multi-faceted base.

EXTERIOR: a tall, cylindrical structure some 3.6m high and 2m in diameter located on the edge of the canal. It has a tall multifaceted plinth with a small rectangular extension to the west. The rest of the structure comprises cylindrical concrete sections. The lower part forms the main body of the pillbox and has five gun embrasures on its north, west and east sides. The upper sections do not have openings. Aerial images indicate that at the top of the structure is open, though there may be a roof within the upper top section to facilitate a look-out position.

INTERIOR: not inspected (2017).

Sources

Websites
Council for British Archaeology, Defence of Britain Archive, 2002, accessed 27 November 2017 from http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/archives/view/dob/ai_full_r.cfm?refno=11772&CFID=d246f0a8-b5af-43c9-b90f-00e39d861434&CFTOKEN=0
Munitions and Motor Cars, History of GKN, accessed 27 November 2017 from https://www.gkn.com/en/about-gkn/history/#timeline-6
Other
Canal & River Trust, 2017, Stirchley Two-Storey Pillbox Rapid Heritage Assessment

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.