The First Blitz in 100 Objects by Castle Ian;

Author:Castle, Ian;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Military / World War I
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Limited
Published: 2020-05-19T00:00:00+00:00

53

Severndroog Castle Shooter’s Hill, London

An 18th century folly with a 20th century anti-Zeppelin role

Severndroog Castle, standing on the highest point in south London, is not a castle at all, rather it is an 18th-century folly built by the widow of Sir William James in 1784 as a memorial to her husband. He had earned fame in 1755 when leading the naval forces of the East India Company in a successful attack on the island fortress of Suvarnadurg (rendered in English as Severndroog). In 1914 the land on Shooter’s Hill on which the tower stands formed part of the estate of Castle Wood House, from where it played an important role in the defence of London.

When the war broke out in 1914, Britain’s police forces recruited great numbers of volunteer Special Constables to support the regular police and who were given the task of guarding vulnerable points in their own districts. These included places such as waterworks, power stations, bridges and telephone exchanges. Later they manned observation posts, reporting on approaching enemy aircraft. Due to its location, just two miles from Woolwich Arsenal, and with unhindered views across London and its approaches, Severndroog Castle became one of the most important observation posts south of the Thames.

Severndroog Castle at Shooter’s Hill, London. From its lofty position overlooking London, Severndroog Castle proved an ideal observation post from where Special Constables could report on the progress of enemy aircraft.

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