“Alderbury ROC Post, The Royal Observer Corps were in existence from 1925 to 1995 and their first significant operation was to act as aircraft spotters in WW2 where their task was to radio in any sightings of enemy aircraft or flying bombs. After the war ended they were briefly stood down after being in continuous operation from September 1939 to May 1945 then as the peace transitioned into the Cold War their role changed. The new role was to report nuclear explosions and monitor the nuclear fallout, to do this the crew of three would have to be prepared to spend up to 21 days underground in a 16ft x 7ft x 7ft bunker, between 1958 and 1968 over 1,500 of these bunkers were built across the country.”
These ROC posts have always interested me along with old pill box bunkers and war shelters, I think it’s because when your inside one you can imagine what it would have been like in the war, with planes flying over and bombs going off in the distance. Although the underground ROC posts are nearly over a hundred years old the condition of the them (at least the one I visited) was surprisingly good. What was nice about this ROC posts also was the fact that had not been vandalised and things were still inside, although not as much as I’ve seen in other reports unfortunately, there was an original asbestos fire blanked still in its red box on the wall which was nice and the crate with “Home Office Property” was a nice touch. Looked like the bunker could still provide good shelter should WW3 be round the corner!!
Wasn’t down there long as I was on my own and having passed some rather shady looking travelling gentlemen on the way up there either fly tipping, hare coursing, dog fighting or bear bating. Had images of the hatch being welded shut whilst I was down there so made it sharpish!
Also just found out that this particular post was used recently for some filming with the BBC due to its reasonably good condition.
Apologies for quality of pictures, didn’t have camera so had to make do with phone.
Following on from my trip to the Stockbridge ROC i was in the mood for adventure found the next closest site to me at the time was the Alderbury ROC. So off i went. It was a luscious evening for a walk about, cool hazy air stunning views.
My dad was the chief observer at the Alderbury post for many years. I was an observer too for a short time before going away to college. Good fun and a bit of an adventure for a teenager like myself!
Thats Awesome Nikki