ROC Shelters

Royal Observer Corps

Since its inception in 1925 as in integral part of the UK air defence system, the primary role of the ROC was the recognition and identification of hostile aircraft. With the start of the cold war and the increasing threat of nuclear attack in the 1950's, the ROC was given the added responsibility of reporting nuclear bursts and monitoring fall-out which necessitated the construction of 1,563 underground monitoring posts throughout Great Britain & Northern Ireland.

The first prototype underground post was built at Farnham, Surrey in 1956 and consisted of a 15ft entrance shaft which gave access to two rooms, one containing a chemical toilet and the larger (15ft X 7ft 6ins) monitoring room which was furnished with canvas chairs, folding table, shelf, cupboard and a pair of metal-framed bunk beds. A ventilation shaft with two louvred vents was located alongside the entrance shaft with a second air shaft at the other end of the room. Lighting was provided by a 12 volt battery located behind the monitoring room door. With a few exceptions, where the post was constructed within existing buildings, this layout remained the same at all locations.

In January 1968, the Labour Government decided the threat of a nuclear attack had lessened and as part of massive reductions in defence spending, the future of the ROC looked uncertain as other home defence services were being abolished or curtailed. Regular training continued through the 70's and 80's but in 1991 it was decided by the Home Office & MOD that the ROC would cease active training and the remaining underground posts were closed at the end of September that year. Most of the posts closed in 1968 reverted back to the original landowners while those closed in 1992 were put out to public tender. Nationally, many were snapped up by cellular telephone operators because of their strategic positions on high ground.

© Subterranea Britannica 1998 - 2006

Great Bolas post

Opened in May 1965 and closed in September 1991, located in a large rectangular compound on a hilltop 100 yards south of Middle Lane and 150 yards east of A442 (OS GRID: SJ63002105)

Ditton Priors

Opened in May 1965 and closed in October 1968, located in a wooded compound on the east side of a public footpath 60 yards north of Vicarage Road and on the south side of a playing field. (OS GRID: SO60608925)

² Photo: Nick Catford