Monument record TR 34 SW 2972 - Second World War anti-tank ditch with bank

A walkover survey of the Lower Danes recreation ground in 2017 found the extant remains of a Second World War anti-tank ditch that once ran from Old Charlton Road to the cutting of the Deal railway line, about 180m in length. It is visible as a chalk scar on the 1940s aerial photographs. The length near Old Charlton Road is roughly 40m long. Inspection confirmed the ditch was still open, hidden in undergrowth but well preserved.

It consisted of a ditch c. 8-10m across and 1.5m deep with a wide bank (3m) on its southern side and traces of a smaller one on the north. In the terminal by Old Charlton Road two or three dumped dragons teeth survive. (1)

<1> Canterbury Archaeological Trust Ltd, 2017, The Danes, Old Charlton Road, Dover Archaeological walk-over survey and desk-top study (Unpublished document). SKE52824.