Monument record 9795 - Wellingborough searchlight battery, south of Wellingborough Grange Farm

WW2 search light battery known as 25623 Grange Farm. It was probably constructed between 1939 and 1945 but its condition is uncertain at the time of the Defence of Britain survey. The site was operated by the 467 S/L Battery 73 S/L Regiment. The site is located at Wellingborough Grange Farm.

Wellingborough Parish WW2 defences.

{1} Battery known as Grange Farm. S/L Ref 25623.

{2} Further documentary confirmation of the presence of this S/L site 2 years after the original entry. War diary for 1942 at Grange Farm, near Wellingborough at converted MGR at NGR SP8660 6942. This lies c100m NE of the previous NGR, also converted from a MGR.
Two other sets of features previously recorded hereabouts may also be part of this site, though further research is needed to confirm this. SMR entry 8327/0/1 refers to weak linear/curvilinear features identified as part of geophysical survey. This lies only 60m distant from this site;
SMR 3595/0/0, recorded some 140m to the NW of this site is described by RCHME as a low circular 15m diameter earthwork, post dating ridge and furrow. This earthwork feature clearly also has the potential to be part of the S/L site.

{3} Documentary confirmation of the presence of this S/L site known as 25623 Grange Farm. With assistance of 1940/1 map, NGR now calculated by Armishaw from MGR74/19890 as being SP8660 6941, very close to that previously given.

{4} Documentary reference. Original source PRO ref: WO166/3313; details of 467 searchlight battery, 73 Searchlight Regiment. September 1940. Ref: 25624 Grange Park, MGR 74/319890.

<1> Armishaw A., 2001, Letter, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN101906.

<2> Cadman, G., 2003, Three Reports on Search Light Battery Sites, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN103229.

<3> Cadman, G., 2003, Wellingborough Searchlight Battery, (unchecked) (Note). SNN103491.

<4> 1940, PRO ref: WO166/3313: 467 S/L Bty. 72 S/L Regt. September 1940, (checked) (Document). SNN101211.

<5> Cadman, G., 2003, Mill Farm Searchlight Site, (unchecked) (Note). SNN103537.

<6> Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources (Database). SNN112922.

<7> Historic England, Undated, Defence of Britain (Archive). SNN112947.

Record last edited

Apr 7 2022 4:11PM