Thrift/Clover/Alders/BHS in Kirstall

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 1:29 pm

http://www.leodis.org/display.aspx?reso ... =2606We'll remember the clock tower coming down but what's the little tower behind with its funny little peep holes/firing slits? I can't remember that there's anything in the store below, don't think it's a chimney. Any clues?

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 1:37 pm

I woudl hazard a guess that it is something to go with an anti-aircraft observation point as the comment below by barpetrob states.Given this is 1949 it must have just been left....

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 1:47 pm

D'oh!I've just had a look on Bing maps and it appear to have a solid roof and the slits are small, visibility would be poor unless it was more of a refuge for fire watchers.

Post by **chameleon** » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 2:43 pm

Cardiarms wrote: http://www.leodis.org/display.aspx?reso ... =2606We'll remember the clock tower coming down but what's the little tower behind with its funny little peep holes/firing slits? I can't remember that there's anything in the store below, don't think it's a chimney. Any clues? The description in comments on Leodis gives a clue as Lee noticed:The balcony around the tower below the clock was used as an observation post during air-raids in WW2. There can also be seen the pill-box manned by the firms Home Guard batalion on the roof. I have been on the balcony a few times as I was a young messenger for the Home Guard. Not old enough to be proper member.

Mork of Ork · Post by **Mork of Ork** » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 2:44 pm

I remember reading somewhere that it was a pill box built there as it offers a great view of the canal, train lines etc that lead into Leeds.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 3:07 pm

It's not sited in the best position to be much use. It's square on to the road whereas the bridge, railway and canal are off the to lthe right and there are buildings and the Clock Tower that obscure the view to the West. It would have had a great field of fire over the rough ground and mills that is now morrison's car park but buildings would have obscured the view of Commercial Street to the East.These view shows that you could get across the bridge and well down bridge road before coming under fire, possibly to the door of the shop.http://www.leodis.org/display.aspx?reso ... SPLAY=FULL

Mork of Ork · Post by **Mork of Ork** » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 4:47 pm

It's probably the top of a lift mechanism then with vents for letting out any heat created by the mechanism.

Si · Post by Si » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 4:50 pm

I've always wondered what real use pill boxes were. As soon as you fire, all the enemy's guns are aimed at you, and you've nowhere to hide. It would be like sitting in a broken-down tank.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 5:50 pm

Mork of Ork wrote: It's probably the top of a lift mechanism then with vents for letting out any heat created by the mechanism. Now, now...it might be the exit from the secret tunnel to the abbey!

Post by **chameleon** » Tue 26 Jan, 2010 5:57 pm

Cardiarms wrote: Mork of Ork wrote: It's probably the top of a lift mechanism then with vents for letting out any heat created by the mechanism. Now, now...it might be the exit from the secret tunnel to the abbey! I think Leodis explains it hough I do agree it was almost certiainly associated with the tunnel