PROJECT REDSAND

THE

TEAM

Project Redsand CIO

Meet the teams:

Management and Working party members.

How we run the ​organisation:

Being that Redsand Army Sea Forts were ​originally run by the MOD and in Particular ​the British Army we are ranking ourselves in ​a Millitary order so as to clearly define our ​members and their roles.

David Foulkes

Mechanical & ​Fabrication Co-​ordinator

(WO 1) (Dangerous)

David has been involved with Project Redsand since late ​2007 and is a highly skilled and experienced ​Mechanic/Welder Fabricator who has worked on a wide ​range of different types of vehicles and machines and ​other Projects in the past such as Coalhouse Fort in East ​Tilbury in Essex please visit www.coalhousefort.co.uk He is ​keen historian and is passionate about the preservation of ​the Seaforts and enthusiastically coordinates the ​procurement of materials and Volunteers for our Working ​Party restoration visits. David is also a Corporal in the REME ​Army Reserves 103 BN 128 Sup Coy and a proud father to ​three boys Jacob , Joseph and Joshua. David used to go to ​school in Southend on Sea and was always fascinated in ​the silhouetted structures on the horizon and it wasn't until ​the age of the internet that he understood what they were ​and their importance in Defence and their subsequent ​history due in part to them falling under the Official Secrets ​Act. "Redsands is a totally unique structure and deserves ​preservation for the UK's and the worlds history and the ​countless lives itself and the other Forts helped save in the ​early warning of Axis air raids and subsequent destruction ​of 22 Planes and 33 V1 Doodlebugs. They need to be ​preserved as a testament to our countries already proud ​heritage and to the souls that fought and served on them ​and should not be lost for future generations so they don't ​have to just imagine from a textbook but to gaze and ​literally stand mouth agaped as I always do at their ​Awesomeness!!! And to just enjoy just as I have and always ​will! The old girls still gives me goosebumps to this day ​everytime I come to visit! (Keep It up Ladies!!!) (Please don't ​repeat lol!)"

Steve Christian

Works Co Ordinator (S ​Sgt) (Full Steam ahead ​Mr Christian)

Steve has been a very active volunteer since 2012 he has ​achieved many tasks at the fort and was instrumental in ​the fitment of the new Fendering to replace the original sea ​damaged ones. He first worked on the Swanley to ​Sevenoaks section of the M25 for John Laing Construction. ​Then worked for various house building and construction ​companies for many years working on many Civil ​construction Projects. Steve along with David and Ramon ​Help organise the finer details of our working trips to the ​Sea Forts such so that nobody forgets all the fixings or ​fittings necessary to complete our current task/s etc etc so ​as every job is carried out seamlessly (Weather permitting ​of course!! LOL). "For the past twenty years I have been a ​member of KURG (Kent Underground Research Group) ​working on lots of different subterranean projects. I have ​also worked on the Fan Bay Deep Shelter near Dover for the ​National Trust. I got involved with Redsands quite a few ​years ago and have been out on many workdays ​throughout that time. Excitement, enjoyment and ​wonderment is still there every single time I go out to the ​Forts." "I truly believe it is very important that we need to ​save these Seaforts and historical monuments for future ​generations to enjoy!”

David Jackso​n

Staff Sargeant ( S/ Sgt) ​(Jacko)

Works Co​ Ordina​tor

David Jackson has been involved with Project Redsand ​since 2011 and has completed many tasks including many ​rope access jobs. "Ever since I was a child growing up on ​Canvey island I have looked out on the Thames and often ​wondered what these strange structures were, as I got ​older I came to learn what they were and the significant ​role they played in WW2 with their tally of 22 Planes and 30 ​V1 Doodlebugs! also there fantastic job as an early warning ​system and marvel at the amount of lives that they saved. I ​have always been interested in military history from all ​ages.I am involved with many other projects as a volunteer, ​but Redsand and has its own unique challenges.I travel ​several times a year to Europe to research and photograph ​the remains of conflicts past. I still live in Essex and make ​the pilgrimage when I can to get out to the forts and do my ​bit, I am extremely proud of what we have achieved with ​the little we have had. I will continue to support the project ​into the future".

Daniel Talbot

Welfare Staff

(Captain Capt)(Padre)

Daniel has been involved with Project Redsand since 2017 ​and has been an extremely keen and active member ​towards the tasks set before him. He is also the Projects ​welfare officer due to his very good nature and has ​assumed the Role of the Army Padre. Daniel is also very ​enthusiastic in adding members to his "flock" "The Forts are ​an amazing sight to behold and cant wait to get back out ​there again!"

Yo​ur Name Here

Re​cruitment Officer

Can you spare some Time ? We are always looking for ​skilled people to help us with the restoration effort. Join the ​team if you dare ! Together we can do it ! JOIN THE TEAM

Tr​istan Kavanagh

Project Historian

(S Sgt) (Brains)

Tristan (or as he likes to be known Tris) is a qualified ​Historian with a BA Degree in History from the University of ​Winchester graduate of the class of 2013. A member since ​2022 at 34 is possibly our youngest member. He has always ​had a avid interest in everything historical maritime and ​military.

Born and bred on the Isle of Sheppey (Kent) the Maunsell ​army forts (and in particular Red Sands) have always been ​in his full view all his life.

He knew what they were and knew what they had done ​from a very young age due to a extremely personal ​connection to these incredible structures.

Of the three sets of army forts in the Thames estuary there ​is one collection that do not remain any more; The Nore ​Army sea forts (U-5). Tris’ grandfather was aboard as part ​of the crew when in 1953 a Swedish ship (The Baalbek) got ​lost in fog and smashed into them utterly destroying mostly ​all of it. His grandfather, Michael Kavanagh, was one of only ​3 survivors rescued by the Southend lifeboat.

As a result Tris grew up on stories of the forts and the life on ​board which Michael would tell him and Tris would request ​until he passed away in his 80s.

As one of the historians for the group Tris takes part on ​research and fundraisers but is also happy to muck in with ​the other team members in whatever physical work that ​comes with working with this incredible and unique project.

"What an amazing piece of history! And I'm proud to be a ​member of such an amazing project!"

BI​O TEXT HERE

Ad​am Cutts

Gunner(Gnr)

(Cuttsy Sr)

Interior​ Refitment and​ Decoration

C​o Ordinat​or

We have assisted various ongoing manoeuvres there - ​mainly helping out with clearance of rubbish, tidying up ​and assisting with lifting heavy stuff like the upright crash ​beams now secured against the landing deck etc

We would very much like to continue - especially on the ​initial kind of idea, which was to help decide, advise, and do ​any imminent restoration work paint wise to the many ​interior surfaces.

There is a lot of potential to reinstate various 'lost' colour ​schemes in a sympathetic approach to the 1940's ​appearance .

I am a full time scenic artist and designer in telly, films etc, ​used to location work bespoke to countless different criteria ​and surfaces .

We made an initial plan to wire brush, wire wool, and prime ​various dilapidated metal surfaces - starting in the room ​where the log burner was installed.

I know logistics and various other things have changed in ​our absence over the last few years, but would always be ​up for further involvement with Project Redsands overall!

Wi​ll Smith

Gunner (Gnr) ​(Smudge)

Media​ Assista​nt

Hi all my names Will & i’m an Urban Explorer extraordinaire, i ​take many picture with my camera on my travels as filming ​too, i love anything with a bit of History from WW2 to Cold ​War, i consider to be a bit of an entertaining guy to brighten ​up your day, i also share my travels with my crew of ​explorers on my YouTube - SuperPopBro

“The Forts are simply Stunning!”

An​thony Counsell

Gunner (Gnr) (Lofty) ​Welder / Fabricator

Dave Williams

Lance Corporal (L/Cpl)​(Bungy)

Welder / Fabricator​

Pa​ul Ruskin

LCpl (Lance ​Corporal)(T​ed)

Paul has always loved the Seaforts ever since he first saw ​them back in 2010. He spends a lot of time in ​Whitstable/Tankerton albeit on a short break or just visiting ​for the day Paul has been instrumental with the window ​reinstatement program being up until 0400 some mornings ​manufacturing some of the fittings and fixtures . "I've been ​involved with the Project Redsand since 2017 , Absolutely ​blown away by the place and I,m still in shock and Awe ​everytime I come to visit. I'm absolutely dedicated to this ​wonderful piece of Engineering/History and the brilliant job ​the Project achieves with the very little we have and the ​limited funds allbeing Weather dependant of course.

Mi​chael Banham

Craftsman (Cfn)

(Big and Daft)

Trainee Welder F​abricator

Michael Banham also lives on Canvey Island with a very ​similar story to David Jackson. Having lived there all his life ​he has always been fascinated with them and like us all he ​was stunned by the first time he visited. "I was meant to go ​visit them thanks to the help from David Foulkes with my ​Dad but sadly cancer destroyed that plan as he got ill too ​fast & then died about 16 weeks ago". " I like to donate some ​of my free time to the project because I know that my old ​man would be looking down & be proud as I am helping ​such a good cause. I am 30 years old & a Army Reserve PT ​Instructor and also hope to Achieve P company in the near ​future so can help with labouring & lifting plus I am a ​qualified mechanic in Civvy Street and the Army Reserves ​as also part of 103 Bn REME so can help with fixing & ​maintenance tasks!" Michael is also hoping to learn to weld ​to help bolster his Fabrication Skills and aid the Project.

Glynn Povey​

Staff Sargeant (SSgt) ​(Gaffer Jip)

Concrete Repairs ​Specialist works Co ​Ordinator

Dr​ew Johnstone

Sgt Major

(The S​gt Major) Mechanic​al Engine​er

Drew first came out to the Forts in 2009 and has been ​involved with various tasking's within the Project he is a ​keen sailor and simply loves the Sea and History ​particularly anything Military based . A Retired Warrant ​Officer 1st Class who served 40 years as a Reservist serving ​with various units and laterly 169 Fd Coy 103 Bn REME. Drew ​is an accomplished Welder / Fabricator and is also a ​Mechanical Engineer he now drives Dangerous goods ​vehicles namely Petrol tankers. Always keen to help out one ​of his passions is taking the helm of X-Pilot to safely ​navigate us from shore to the Towers.

"I absolutely love it out there the Forts are a wonderful sight ​to behold and I'm proud to be involved with their ​Restoration! I'm hooked."

"We will make these old girl's sparkle once more!"

Rober​t Wells

G​unner (Gnr) (Wellsy)

Rob joined us approximately 18 months ago and he is ​another Fort Fanatic ! He was born and bred in Bethnal ​Green in the east end of London in 1975. Raised between ​London and the Kent coast in Leysdown on sea on the Isle ​of Sheppey. Have spent his life making and breaking things, ​mending and bending and learning along the way. Since ​childhood he has had a keen interest in all things military ​and especially all things WW2, from the machinery to the ​logistics of it all especially how the railways of Kent helped ​so much leading upto D-Day. I still remember playing inside ​bombed out buildings and derelict prefabs "built after the ​war" in the early 80s. Rob has joined the Project to help in ​any way he can to make sure this part of our history is ​preserved, not forgotten and left for others to remember ​and learn from and hopefully in the near future to come ​and visit. He is a trade qualified carpenter and bricklayer ​but can turn his hand to most things {plumbing, painting ​and decorating, tiling} so the company that he works for ​can give him the glorious title of "multi-trader". "With my ​upbringing in Kent one of my earliest memories are of ​seeing the Forts in the distance from the Beach and always ​wondered what they were! I tend to be pretty good when it ​comes to working with my hands and getting things done ​aka "hard graft". Never afraid to muck in, take one for the ​team and do the things others may not want to, if i can find ​a way of doing it i'll get it done because i won't let it beat ​me! and this proud piece of our nations history needs to be ​preserved for our future generations!"

Oision Cutz

Gunner (Gnr)

(Cuttsy​ Jr​)

We have assisted various ongoing manoeuvres there - ​mainly helping out with clearance of rubbish, tidying up ​and assisting with lifting heavy stuff like the upright crash ​beams now secured against the landing deck etc

We would very much like to continue - especially on the ​initial kind of idea, which was to help decide, advise, and do ​any imminent restoration work paint wise to the many ​interior surfaces.

There is a lot of potential to reinstate various 'lost' colour ​schemes in a sympathetic approach to the 1940's ​appearance .

I am a full time scenic artist and designer in telly, films etc, ​used to location work bespoke to countless different ​criteria and surfaces .

We made an initial plan to wire brush, wire wool, and prime ​various dilapidated metal surfaces - starting in the room ​where the log burner was installed.

I know logistics and various other things have changed in ​our absence over the last few years, but would always be ​up for further involvement with Project Redsands overall!

C​had Giles

Corporal (Cpl)​

(Pte Godfrey) Welder ​/ ​Fabricator

Chad has been a member of the Project since 2017 He has ​travelled up from his home in Dorset on several occasions ​to attend working party trips. He has always been ​fascinated with the Towers after first hearing about them ​on social media. Chad is also a Welder Fabricator / ​Electrical Engineer and an Ex Serving member of 128 Fd Coy ​103 Bn REME based at Portsmouth. "A destination well worth ​saving not just from a historical point of view but also from ​an Engineering Stance!”

M​at Halliday

Craftsman (Cfn) ​(Private Pike) Trainee ​Welder / Fabricator

Mat has been involved with the Project since 2017 when he ​first attended one of our working weekend trips and has ​been a steadfast welders mate ever since. His Fabrication ​skills are already high and he is always willing to try out a ​new challenge. He is currently learning to weld aswell as ​Michael Banham. "I went out there after hearing so much ​about them and seeing them on the horizon. Having being ​given an opportunity to become part of the work team I ​was absolutely Gobsmacked by the sight of them and the ​hairs on the back of my neck still stand up with each visit."

Ben Tester

Ben Tester,

Joined the project this year after meeting the Redsands ​Team at Fort Luton which is part of the Chatam Lines.

I have always had a passion for military history especially ​the more interesting projects that have been run in the ​past.

Since moving to Kent a few years ago I have explored the ​vast array of forts that can be found in the area.

It has been a dream of mine to learn more about the ​Maunsell Forts, I couldn’t believe my luck when I met the ​team restoring them at Fort Luton where they were ​supporting an open day which interestingly enough was ​the Command Centre and coodinators of all of the 40mm ​Bofors and 3.7 inch HAA Guns in the Thames and Medway ​estuaries!!

These guys are super passionate about saving them for ​generations to come!

I had the opportunity to visit the forts for the first time in ​July 24, the second we approached I knew this was a ​project I wanted to be involved in.

Redsands doesn’t only have a unique military history but ​has a place in history, for the amazing part it and the other ​Maunsell forts played in the part of pirate radio.

I come from an engineering background, I cut my teeth ​working in dry docks across the UK and Europe, this ​eventually led to an interesting career in the heating ​industry.

I feel passionately that Redands should survive for future ​generations, and contribute in any way that I can.

Di​sclaimer

Project Redsand is run entirely by volunteers and is funded ​by donations our rank structure is designed to show our ​roles in the Project and how they would fit into a British ​Military Set up But this in no way reflects any current British ​Military rankings