Coalhouse Fort is located a mile or so from the old Bata town near
Tilbury Essex, famous for their shoes in the post war years. A military
fortification was first built on this site in 1402, the present day structure
was built around 1860. It was in use throughout both WW1 & WW2, it has a
strategic position looking over the Thames, a sister fort is located on the
opposite side of the river in Kent which is now completely overgrown and
falling down. Coalhouse Fort is now partially derelict it is suffering from
some considerable amount of decay and dilapidation. The present day volunteers
have been running the place since 1983 they
are doing a great job but it is obvious that a lot of money is required to
renovate the structure, in my opinion this project is so big it needs the
National Trust or Heritage to take it on. All that said it is well worth a
visit & the volunteers will give you a good time telling you about the ghosts that haunt the tunnels under
the fort & what it was like to serve there a solider.
I have finished all of my shots in black & white, it’s that
sort of place.
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One of the big guns overlooking the Thames.
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A search light from WW2
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A gun from WW1 or WW2
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Today’s more effective way of keeping our borders secure.
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© Lionel Callow 2014
