Recent mowing of the riverbank, north of the bridge, by the moorings has uncovered a relic of WW2
The partially buried drum of concrete is 4ft (1.22m) high and 3ft (0.9m) wide and is the mounting
for a 29mm Spigot Mortar or "Blacker Bombard"
Picture Copyright: tenmilebank.com Picture Copyright: Imperial War Museum
As the archive photograph shows, it was a Home Guard anti-tank or anti-personnel weapon, positioned to defend the bridge in the event of an enemy invasion from the East Coast
It was set in a pit for the protection of the crew and had a range of about 400 yds (365m)
Some sources described it as inaccurate, slow and difficult to operate
