Information for record number MWA9561:
Barford Royal Observer Corps Underground Monitoring Post

Summary Royal Observer Corps Underground Monitoring Post at Barford. Monitoring posts were to be used for reporting nuclear bursts and monitoring fall-out in the modern period. The post lies east of a track 130 meters south of Wasperton Lane
What Is It?  
Type: Royal Observer Corps Site, Underground Monitoring Post
Period: Unknown
Where Is It?  
Parish: Barford
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 28 59
(Data represented on this map shows the current selected record as a single point, this is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an accurate or complete representation of archaeological sites or features)
Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1 The primary role of the Royal Observer Corps (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 1563 underground monitoring posts throughout Great Britain & Northern Ireland.
2 In a locked compound. All surface features remain intact with some flaking of the green paint. A dome on the ventilation shaft indicates that this was a master post. Much remained including a table, shelf, cupboard, short wall shelf, two matresses, two plastic chairs, coax cable, BT junction box and wiring, Tele-Talk, WB1401 carrier reciever with WB1410 filter unit, cluster map, tool board, papers, wire brush, headphones and the aerial mast pump. All artefacts were removed by the owner. The post is on a private estate and the owner would not welcome further visitors. Photograph The compond fencing is high with barbed wire on top and the gate is locked and secure. The hatch is locked. Opened July 1959 and May 1969, Closed October 1968 and September 1991. A brick aircraft post was standing in the larger outer compound was demolished in 1992.
 
Sources
Source No: 2
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Twentieth Century Fortifications in England, vol XI.1
Author/originator: Dobinson C S
Date: 2000
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet: vol XI.1
   
Source No: 1
Source Type: Unpublished document
Title: Royal Observer Corps An Online Survey of the UK's R.O.C and UK W.M.O Monitoring Posts
Author/originator: Subterranea Britannica
Date: 2002
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
period Modern The Modern Period, about 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
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period modern About 1915 AD to the present (the 20th and 21st centuries AD)

In recent years archaeologists have realised the importance of recording modern sites. They do this so that in the future people will be able to look at the remains to help them understand the events to which they are related.
more -> 		back
JUNCTION BOX * Casing for electrical connections: an enclosed and protected box inside which electrical circuits are interconnected or branched for distribution. back
monument VENTILATION SHAFT * A shaft designed to allow for the adequate circulation of air through a transport tunnel, for example. back
monument FEATURE * Areas of indeterminate function. back
monument ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS SITE * A site or structure associated with the activities of the Royal Observer Corps. The Corps was formed on 1 January 1947 and disbanded in 1991. back
monument FORTIFICATION * A usually permanent defensive work. Use specific type where known. back
monument PUMP * A machine used to raise and move water and other liquids, compress gases, etc. Use more specific type where known. back
monument AIRCRAFT * An aircraft, either whole or in part. Aircraft often survive as commemorative monuments, gate guardians or crash sites. back
monument UNDERGROUND MONITORING POST * A small underground chamber from where it was intended to monitor radioactive fallout in the event of nuclear attack. The majority were built between 1956 and 1964, although construction continued into the early 1970s. back
monument GATE * A movable stucture which enables or prevents entrance to be gained. Usually situated in a wall or similar barrier and supported by gate posts. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record