I can tell you that in 1939/40 when my father was stationed at Shorncliffe camp he had to stand watch in this martello tower and if he saw the Germans in sight had to cycle up to the camp to raise the alarm. To illustrate the problems of the time he had just 5 rounds for his rifle which he had to hand over to the next sentry on duty etc..
He even bought himself a pair of binoculars in Folkstone to aid his task, I still have them.
