Unassuming War Hero

Guy Maunsell

Guy Maunsell saved hundreds of lives by creating the Thames Estuary Seaforts in the Second World War and his grave in Southborough cemetery marks his achievements.

Looking like something from The War Of The Worlds, the seaforts helped protect Britons from Luftwaffe aircraft and shipping from German e-boats.

In Southborough’s beautiful cemetery you may spot a grave bedecked with flowers and with a model of a strange-looking tower on long legs before it.

This marks the final resting place of Guy Maunsell, an unassuming civil engineer who played a far more significant part in winning the Second World War than his relative obscurity might suggest.

The former Southborough resident created the Martian-like seaforts you can see from North Kent coastal towns like Whitstable, Sheerness and Herne Bay.

He also played a key role in the development of the Mulberry Harbours the allies floated over to Normandy to facilitate the unloading of vital cargo needed by their armies after the 6 June 1944 D-Day landings.

Historian Margaret Flo McEwan (pictured below) looks after Guy's grave and runs the Maunsell Seaforts Appreciation Group on Facebook, which currently has more than 13,000 members.

In this interview, Flo tells West Kent Radio's Brian Johnson about Guy Maunsell, his seaforts, the Mulberry Harbours and how the forts became home to offshore 'pirate' radio stations in the 1960s.

Flo is pictured wearing a black dress and sunglasses on a boat with the Martian-like towers of one of the army seaports behind her.News feature (4 minutes):

Full interview (15 minutes):

Protecting London from air attack

Despite being blacked out, Luftwaffe planes could easily find London at night - and avoid land-based anti-aircraft defences - simply by following the glistening River Thames into the capital.

"Guy was tasked with coming up with a solution," says Flo. "He decided to strategically place defences out in the estuary where they could intercept the enemy aircraft as they flew over. They were built under a veil of secrecy at Gravesend in 1941-1943 and then towed out into the estuary by steam tug."

A navy fort: a structure on a steel platform on top of two huge concrete pillars.There are two types of Maunsell fort: the navy forts are essentially a platform on two large pillars, while the distinctive army forts are a cluster of seven connected box-like structures on long legs.

Although the Luftwaffe threat was diminishing by the time forts went into operation, they still shot down more than 20 aircraft and 30 V1 flying bombs.

"That means there's a whole cluster of families alive today who wouldn't be had it not been for Guy Mausell's amazing engineering skills," says Flo.

Principality of Sealand

Following the closure of most of the pirate radio stations in 1967, one fort - Roughs Tower - remained occupied. It then lay outside UK territorial waters and became the Principality of Sealand.

The principality issues coins, stamps and passports. Some famous people possess, or have possessed, titles from Sealand, including the singer Ed Sheeran and the broadcasters Terry Wogan and Ben Fogle. Flo herself has been made Dutchess of Sealand in recognition of her work to spread awareness of the seaforts and bring their history to life through social media, tour guiding, presentations and photography.

In our longer interview, above, Flo also talks about how she looks after Guy's grave, what it's like to visit the forts and how she has honoured Guy's passing twice by performing a 'victory roll' over the cemetery while riding in the backseat of a two-seater Spitfire fighter.

You can read more about the Maunsell Seaforts by joining Flo's Facebook group and following her on Instagram.

Pictures: courtesy of Margaret Flo McEwan.

 

More from LOCAL NEWS FEATURES

  • 7 Health Features

    We get tips from a GP in Southborough on how exercise and good diet can improve your general health.

  • Free Art Displays

    An art exhibition has opened in Tunbridge Wells, with paintings, drawings, ceramics and crafts on display all produced by local people.

  • Word Up!

    Audio

    A thriving poetry reading event in Tunbridge Wells has led to one poet having her work published.

  • "Exquisite" Church Windows

    Audio

    We hear how the world famous modern artist Marc Chagall came to complete the unique stained glass windows in All Saints' Tudeley.

  • Trinity Theatre History

    Holy Trinity Church was once filled with parishioners before its popularity dwindled until its final service was held in 1972.

  • Classical Season Starts

    Audio

    Tonbridge Philharmonic Society has been performing since 1946 and we hear about its plans for 2025.

  • Oh! Oh! Oh! Subbuteo

    Audio

    A recent exhibition at the Amelia Scott Centre in Tunbridge Wells told how the Subbuteo table soccer game was invented in the town and rapidly became a global phenomenon.

  • £10 Billion Road Scheme

    Audio

    A plan to build a new Lower Thames Crossing is opposed by a local campaigner.

On Air Now Afternoons 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Now Playing
A Design For Life Manic Street Preachers
Recently Played
  • St Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion) John Parr 14:09
  • Waterloo Sunset The Kinks 14:05
  • Inner Smile Texas 14:02

COMING UP

  • Rob Carter

    4:00pm - 7:00pm

    Drivetime sponsored by OMB Tax Ltd

  • Chris Reed

    7:00pm - 8:00pm

    Pure 70's sponsored by Southborough Lions