Defence Electric Light and Boom Camp

During World War Two a boom was constructed between Kent and Essex on the River Thames. The boom started from the Kent shoreline and had a total length of 1.2km with the rest of the distance to Essex being obstructed by wire nets.

Three Defence Electric Light emplacements and a directing station were then placed on the boom 900m from the shoreline. These were designed to enlighten the river in conjunction with other Defence Electric Light emplacements on the Essex side in support of coastal batteries there.

On the Kent side of the boom a small camp was constructed. The camp housed the generators for the three Defence Electric Lights and also provided accommodation for the men manning the boom.

After the war the boom remained until 1953 by which time is was removed and the majority of the camp demolished.