R.O.C. Posts
The following are former Royal
Observer Corps
posts. They are only a tiny selection from some 1,500 posts around the
U.K.
Nick Catford and Dan McKenzie have conducted
a nationwide survey to locate and record details of all surviving posts.
The ROC posts were part of a national
network set up during the cold war to provide data on bomb blasts and
nuclear fallout, under the control of the U.K. Warning and Monitoring
Organisation (UKWMO). The post would be manned by a small group of volunteers.
The 870 active posts were normally arranged in groups of three, one
of which would be a master post. They would report their data to a group
control (there were 20 of these) who would collate the information and
pass on it's findings to other headquarters such as the 5 sector controls,
RGHQ's (Like Drakelow), local authority emergency centres and home defence
forces. Sector controls were responsible for the overall running of
the operation, offering high level scientific advice and liaison. In
many cases the liaison included neighboring countries, for example Midland
sector was responsible for liaison with Denmark, Germany and Holland
whilst the Metropolitan sector would liaise with France and Belgium.
The Royal Observer Corps stood down
in the early 1990's. Ownership of the posts reverted in most cases to
the original land owners and the system was disbanded. Some posts had
been closed down much earlier and superseded by new ones which is why
there are many more than the active 870 to be found across the country.
For example I suspect that the Aberdovey post below was superseded by
the one at Tywyn.
WARNING : Most posts are located on
private property. They can be dangerous and should not be entered without
the owners consent and appropriate precautions.
![](../images/Bnorth.jpg) |
Bridgnorth, Shropshire
I understand that this post closed in the late
1960's. From a distance it appears to be in good condition,
but in fact I am told that this is deceptive and it is in fact
in a bad state of repair. It's proximity to a housing estate
could explain this.
|
Tywyn, Gwynedd
The post is actually about 2 miles to the north
of Tywyn (you can just about see the town in the background).
This view shows the entrance shaft. From the outside it appears
in good condition. Unfortunately at the time of my visit it
was locked, but I understand that it is in good condition internally.
|
![](../images/Tywyn%201.jpg) |
![](../images/Tywyn%202.jpg) |
Tywyn, Gwynedd
Another view of the Tywyn post. The entrance
shaft is on the right and the ventilation shaft to the left.
This post closed in the early 1990's.
|
Aberdovey
This post is very well concealed on the hillside
above the town. It closed in the 1960's. This post has spectacular
views over the Dovey estuary.
|
![](../images/Dovey%201.jpg) |
![](../images/Dovey%203.jpg) |
Aberdovey
A closer view of the entrance hatch shows the
lengths to which the owners have had to go to keep people out.
There are steel straps over the hatch which has then been concreted
over. Obviously due to this we have no idea what the internal
condition is like.
|
Aberdovey
This view shows the ventilation shaft in the
foreground. The entrance shaft is mostly obscured by a gorse
bush.
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![](../images/Dovey%202.jpg) |
![](../images/hg1.jpg) |
Halfpenny Green
Spot the post ! This is as close as I could get to the post
at Halfpenny Green Airport Nr Bobbington. In a field outside
the current airfield perimiter, but within the original airfield
perimiter lies the former ROC post. It is located just to the
right of the small copse.
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Ditton Priors
In a small copse at the corner of a recreation
ground lies the Ditton Priors post. At the time of our visit
the post was not locked, but it was secured by a large nut and
bolt. Unfortunately we didn't have a spanner!
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![](../images/dp1.jpg) |
![](../images/dp2.jpg) |
Ditton Priors
Another view of the Ditton Priors post. This time from the
ventilation shaft end. An information board nearby
gives info about the post and the local wildlife.
|
Ditton Priors
The information board at Ditton Priors states :
"Behind the thicket to your left lies the ventilation shaft
which is all that can be seen today, of an underground room
which lies about 10 feet below ground level. The room which
measures about 12 feet by 8 feet contained two bunk beds and
a variety of equipment used by the Royal Observer Corps to monitor
and plot radio active fallout during the 1960's when the cold
war was at it's height."
It goes on to describe how the site had been used by the ROC
since WW2.
|
![](../images/dp3.jpg) |
![](../images/plaque1.jpg) |
This plaque was removed from
Rowan House When it was decommissioned and reads :
'This plaque was presented by
the Charlie sector
to commemorate the official opening of
No 3 group headquarters Royal Observer Corps
by
Sir Charles Elworthy
G.C.B, C.B.E, D.S.O, M.V.O, D.F.C, A.F.C, N.A.
Chief of the air staff
May 15th 1966'
|
This second plaque was also removed at the same
time. This plaque reads :
' Rowan House
Headquarters
United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation
Was opened by
Mr Patrick Mayhew QC MP
Minister of State Home Office
On 30 April 1982 '
I do not know the current fete of Rowan House.
|
![](../images/plaque2.jpg) |
(Nick
and Dan's site is at : http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/roc/index2.shtml
)
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