Monument record 5768/0/1 - Paulerspury Searchlight Battery

A searchlight battery from World War II. The site is on the list from Northamptonshire SMR where it is known only from documentary sources. It was probably constructed between 1939 and 1945 but its condition is uncertain at the time of the Defence of Britain survey.

{1} Describes arrival of 323 S/L Battery RA to take over this S/L late Aug 194, along with 8 others in Northants/Warwicks. Site described as DX 014 Pury End at MGR 83/154656 (NGR as above).

WO166/3082 64 S/L Bty RA 39-41: 64th (Essex) S/L Regt to man 72 lights. 441 Battery to take over following cluster sites from the 72nd SL Regt forming part of an Indicator Zone includes Pury End, Ashton & Stony Stratford within DX01 Area.

{2} DX014 Pury End. One of 8 S/Ls, ’Killer Zone cluster sites in SW Northants. 7 with convertible MGRs (6 in Northants); many others are mentioned by name but without a grid reference. As yet I have been unable to find a list of all of the sites in the area, as the files for the batteries in the area are unavailable.

{3} On the photo at least 2 circular earthwork type features can be made out, it is possible they represent the partially destroyed remains of the S/L site. In addition what may be remains of a possible associated accommodation site are located adjacent to the hedgerow on the south of the field a short distance from the road to Paulerspury.

<1> Armishaw A., 1939-1941, WO 166/3150 318 S/L Bty RA June 1940-Dec 1941, (unchecked) (Document). SNN101764.

<2> Armishaw A., 2001, War Diary of 318 Searchlight Battery: June 1940 - December 1941, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN101894.

<3> Cadman, G., 2003, Paulerspury WW2 Searchlight Battery, (checked) (Note). SNN103928.

<4> RAF, 1947, CPE/UK/1926- frame 3236, (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN104631.

Record last edited

Feb 21 2024 9:30AM