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Secret wartime hideout could be listed landmark

SOUTHEND Council is set to take action to preserve a piece of military history which is still so good at its job many don’t even realise it’s there.

Tucked behind the curved brick wall, which once formed part of the entrance to the gasworks in Eastern Esplanade, lurks what is almost certainly a former Home Guard observation post.

During the Second World War, this shelter would have stood by the edge of the gas works jetty, which back then spanned the road.

The history of the guard post is now only hinted at by the presence of three bricks of a different colour to the rest of the wall, behind which is a concrete box shelter. This would have allowed guardsmen, like those made famous in BBC series Dad’s Army, to observe approaching vehicles in relative safety.

To preserve the observation post, Southend Council is considering whether to add the building to both the local and the national listed building registers.

Conservation working party chairman Mark Flewitt is keen to see the post protected for future generations, and also to mark the sacrifices made by those who fought for their country.

He said: “I think something like this would be a unique feature and a focal point for people. At certain times of year, such as Remembrance Sunday in Nov-ember, it would be wonderful for people to leave a wreath at the observation point as a tribute.”

Dennis Ward, vice-chairman of the Naval and Military Club, in Royal Terrace, Southend, feels the move to list the observation post is a good one.

He said: “I remember the guard post, and I’ve just bought a new history book which actually mentions it.

“It’s an important feature, and it’s a good idea they are looking to protect it.”

Former Echo editor and keen local historian Jim Worsdale agreed. He said: “I’ve always feared Southend as a town hasn’t cared enough about its history, wartime or not, so if they can get this listed or preserved that would be wonderful.”

The military history of the site is emphasised by the presence on the nearby foreshore of anti-tank cubes – reinforced concrete boxes designed to prevent tanks from coming ashore.

Planning permission has been granted for a seven-storey hotel on the former gasworks site, but it is hoped developers will recognise its importance of the wall and retain it. If the observation post is successful in gaining national listing status, it would be protected.