Henry Wills
Encyclopedia
Henry Wills was a British journalist and photographer with a passion for local history and archaeology. He is best remembered for his writings on British anti-invasion preparations of World War II
, his most often cited work being Pillboxes — A Study of UK Defences 1940.
Henry Wills worked for some years as a photographer for the Salisbury Times newspaper. Like many boys growing up in England, pillboxes
dating World War II
were objects of curiosity. However, his serious interest in the topic was triggered when, in 1968, he was sent on a journalistic assignment to photograph the demolition of a pill box. His inquiries led him to conclude that there were few official records Britain’s wartime defences.
After some further investigation and some publicity on radio and in newspapers, he planned and organised the first nationwide survey of Britain’s defences. With the help of many volunteers, more than 5,000 defence sites were recorded.
The value of Henry Wills work was acknowledged by the British Archaeological Trust and the British Broadcasting Corporation which awarded him the Chronicle Award in 1979. After 15 years of work, he published Pillboxes in 1985.
Henry Wills work stimulated the interest of enthusiasts and academics including local historians and former soldiers. Their interest was given further impetus by the realisation that these underappreciated remains were disappearing at an alarming rate — mostly because of demolition to make way for new developments. A project to make a comprehensive survey of all 20th century defence works throughout the UK was formed. Between April 1995 and December 2001 the Defence of Britain Project, with funds from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, compiled thousands of records. The project also resulted in the discovery of many previously unsuspected contemporary records.
Henry Wills papers now comprise the Henry Wills collection at the National Monuments Record in Swindon.
British anti-invasion preparations of World War II
British anti-invasion preparations of the Second World War entailed a large-scale division of military and civilian mobilisation in response to the threat of invasion by German armed forces in 1940 and 1941. The British army needed to recover from the defeat of the British Expeditionary Force in...
, his most often cited work being Pillboxes — A Study of UK Defences 1940.
Henry Wills worked for some years as a photographer for the Salisbury Times newspaper. Like many boys growing up in England, pillboxes
British hardened field defences of World War II
British hardened field defences of World War II were small fortified structures constructed as a part of British anti-invasion preparations. They were popularly known as pillboxes by reference to their shape.-Design and development:...
dating World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
were objects of curiosity. However, his serious interest in the topic was triggered when, in 1968, he was sent on a journalistic assignment to photograph the demolition of a pill box. His inquiries led him to conclude that there were few official records Britain’s wartime defences.
After some further investigation and some publicity on radio and in newspapers, he planned and organised the first nationwide survey of Britain’s defences. With the help of many volunteers, more than 5,000 defence sites were recorded.
The value of Henry Wills work was acknowledged by the British Archaeological Trust and the British Broadcasting Corporation which awarded him the Chronicle Award in 1979. After 15 years of work, he published Pillboxes in 1985.
Henry Wills work stimulated the interest of enthusiasts and academics including local historians and former soldiers. Their interest was given further impetus by the realisation that these underappreciated remains were disappearing at an alarming rate — mostly because of demolition to make way for new developments. A project to make a comprehensive survey of all 20th century defence works throughout the UK was formed. Between April 1995 and December 2001 the Defence of Britain Project, with funds from the National Heritage Lottery Fund, compiled thousands of records. The project also resulted in the discovery of many previously unsuspected contemporary records.
Henry Wills papers now comprise the Henry Wills collection at the National Monuments Record in Swindon.