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Fire Watchers Post
Unlike many of the buildings around Fort Halstead, this structure was not built for any unique testing or evaluation purpose, but for the protection of the site. Constructed in the early years of the Second World War, this firewatchers post stands on the highest point across the site; on top of a rampart within the Old Fort.
A small unassuming octagonal structure constructed from brick and concrete, the post was intentionally exposed to offer a great field of view over the site and surrounding countryside. During an air raid, the occupants would remain inside, using the eight observation loopholes to observe for the location of unexploded ordnance, flares and fires. The post has a frame for a door, but glass would not have been fitted to the loopholes, nor is there evidence of shutters.



This post has been recorded in the Historic England database. The entry is as follows:
Pillbox sited on rampart of Fort Halstead ‘London Mobilisation Centre’. It is of composite brick/concrete construction – possibly octagonal. For two-thirds its height it appeared to be brick with a pre-set concrete ‘collar’ set on top containing the embrasures: there is a flat concrete roof. A similar style of construction has been seen in Woolwich Arsenal, though much smaller and square in plan.
Pastscape, the English Heritage monument database. Monument No. 1422524
There is also a second fire watchers post located on the south of the site and visible from the public path. This site has not been previously officially recorded and as such does not have a Historic England monument number.

