Villagers battle to save war pillboxes

WORLD War Two look-out posts built to resist a German airborne invasion could be restored.

The two concrete pillboxes in Rudyard were used by the Home Guard and were the last line of defence for the lakeside community.

They were also used by American troops who were based at Rudyard Lake practising amphibious landings in preparation for the D Day landings.

The relics have been left to decay and are covered in brambles.

Now Staffordshire Moorlands district councillor Norma Hawkins is leading a campaign to get at least one of them preserved for future generations.

They were used by the 50-strong 5th North Staffordshire Home Guard, which was based at Rudyard during the war.

Many of the men manning it were teenagers and trained there with broomsticks and American rifles before joining the Army.

Mrs Hawkins, pictured, helped by other villagers, is piecing together the history of the pillboxes and is hoping to interview former members of the Home Guard – now in their 80s and 90s – and record their recollections of the war years for posterity.

She is hoping readers will be able to identify them from the above photograph by North Staffordshire historian Basil Jeuda.

One of the pillboxes is yards from the railway bridge and the other is on the Poacher's Tavern car park.

Mrs Hawkins said: "It is particularly poignant since it is the 70th anniversary of the outbreak the Second World War this month.

"They are an historical link with the village's past and it is important they are preserved. I have approached the district and parish councils and there is some chance of getting funding for their restoration and some interpretation boards. We might even be able to save both. Many people in the village do not even know they are there."

Mrs Hawkins, who has lived in the village for 26 years, added: "Some members of the Home Guard went on to join the Army and some will have passed on, but there are still some who know the history and it will be good if we are able to talk to them and record their memories.

"We also believe there may have been a third pillbox at the other end of the lake, but we have not been able to find it."

Villagers are puzzled why there should be two pill boxes in close proximity in such an isolated location and have suggested the Ministry of Defence had a hidden agenda for Rudyard.

Garage owner and farmer Frank Sutton has lived in the village since 1973.

The father-of-two said: "You look at the valley. What was there to protect?

"People talk about the importance of the lake and of the railway. If they were so important why weren't the posts there?

" I think there is something you and I do not know and I would like to find out."