roc.html

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 Some posts had been closed down much earlier and superseded by new ones which is why there are many more than the active 870 to be found across the country. For example I suspect that the Aberdovey post below was superseded by the one at Tywyn.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.

	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.
	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.
	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.
	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.
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!
	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.
	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.

(Nick and Dan's site is at : http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/roc/index2.shtml )

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