128 Brigade Underground Battle Headquarters

In late 1940, South East Army Command established a network of underground headquarters across the region, with major sites located at Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury and Reigate. One of these was the Sarre Brigade Headquarters, built inside a disused chalk quarry on the Isle of Thanet in Kent. The headquarters was subordinate to the main Battle Headquarters at Canterbury and formed part of the preparations for the defence of south-east England in the event of a German invasion. The surrounding area had been fortified by Canadian forces, who were expected to assist in reinforcing local defensive units if required.

The headquarters was constructed by cutting three stairways into the northern face of the chalk quarry. These descended around 50 feet below ground into a network of tunnels and rooms. Two of the stairways connected directly with the main corridor, which was mostly lined with brick. At the western end, however, the tunnel remained unfinished, with exposed and deteriorating timber supports. Several rooms branched off the corridor, including areas marked “Sigs”, believed to have been the signals room, and “Clerks Int Sec”, indicating a clerical and intelligence section. Cable ducts and pipes running through the ceilings provided connections to the surface.

A third entrance led to a separate tunnel approximately 35 metres long. This section was supported by curved steel hoops and corrugated steel sheeting, similar to the deep shelters constructed at coastal gun batteries elsewhere in Kent. Although parts of the complex suffered from rubble and minor roof falls, much of the brickwork remained in reasonable condition. However, timber door frames had deteriorated considerably over time. The site was abandoned after the war, with all three entrances eventually sealed with brick and rubble.

Link to Subbrit Article.