Then & Now

Then & Now

Tonbridge School's WW2 Pillbox

During the recent renovation and excavation of the school's historic science centre, a forgotten and well-hidden treasure was unearthed; Tonbridge School's World War Two Pillbox.

During the Second World War, these defences were built across the country to contain an expected German invasion. It was decided that a static system of defensive lines around Britain would help delay the Germans long enough for mobile forces to counter-attack.

Pillbox housing an anti-tank gun

Over 50 defensive lines were built in Britain, and Tonbridge was one of Kent’s six category A nodal points or “fortress towns.” These would have been defended by the British Army and the Home Guard to prevent invaders advancing to London.

It is a wonderful coincidence that Old Tonbridgian, General William Edmund Ironside (Day Boy 93-96), whose biography we highlight on page 47, was the instigator of the original ‘GHQ Line’ of defences that ran along the Medway river at Tonbridge: it was also known as the ‘Ironside Line’.

We need your help to collect and preserve stories like this, which help us understand and interpret the school's incredible 500-year history for future generations.

There are many ways you can get involved, first and foremost by sharing materials with the school that will help us expand our archive collection.

The school's archive project is still in its infancy as we strive to collect and digitise more material. However, we do hope you enjoy browsing our new online collection.

For all enquiries, contact: beverley.matthews@tonbridge-school.org

Browse our online archives at: www.tonbridgeschoolheritage.co.uk