NHER 42250 (Monument record) - Site of a World War Two pillbox and roadblock

December 2005. Norfolk NMP.
A World War Two pillbox and associated roadblock is visible on aerial photographs to the immediate south of the anti aircraft battery (NHER 32667) near Gorleston cemetery (S1 to S2). The site is centred on TG 5196 0436. The pillbox is located in the middle of the road intersection of Magdalen Way, Shrublands Way, Church Lane and Crab Lane at TG 5196 0438. The pillbox appears to be a hexagonal type 22 pillbox and in August 1944 a central circular feature is visible on the top of the pillbox, this may have been for a gun mounting, possibly for a machine gun. The roadblock is 30m to the south along Magdalen Way, consisting of two anti tank blocks, horizontal rails and an associated structure, possibly a guard hut or checkpoint. This pillbox and roadblock may have been protecting the perimeter of the battery and also the approach towards Great Yarmouth and the Quays. The pillbox and roadblock both appear to have been removed by 1945 (S3).
S. Massey (NMP), 20 December 2005.