Building record 8681/0/2 - ARP Wardens Post, Thornton Hall

During WW2, in the Kingsthorpe division an 'ARP Service Depot (housing all services except fire)' is identified at Kingsthorpe Hall.

{1} The main building may have been the air raid wardens post. Plan enclosed. Observes that the presence of only one entrance is ‘strange’, with no sign of an emergency exit(s). All the three entrances in the west face of the building have been cut later, and it is possible to see the bricked up windows above these. Probably quite an unusual group of buildings, and in very good condition, the roof is like new.

{3} AA writes, "In addition to the thick wooden shutters on the outside of the windows, nearly all of the internal blackout shutters are still in place. They are made from asbestos tiles set in a nice wooden frame and are hinged so that they can be opened. Each tile has a louvred steel vent in its centre allowing ventilation but preventing light being seen. The interior of the ARP centre is similar throughout, consisting of long rooms with windows on both sides and overhead heating pipes. Wooden battens on the walls show the positions of fittings and fixtures, and some of the original wartime wiring remains. The larger central area (possible plotting room?) is different in having its roof supported by a frame of RSJs supported on four steel legs. To the rear of this rrom are ladies and gents toilets." AA goes on to note that on his submitted photo of the ARP centre, the yellow wall with the chair in front of it is false, and set approx. 0.60m in front of the main wall. Function undetermined.

{4} Northampton divided into 5 divisions and in the Kingsthorpe division an 'ARP Service Depot (housing all services except fire)' is identified at Kingsthorpe Hall.

<1> Armishaw A., 2002, Letter, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN102101.

<2> Jones, C., 2003, Subterranean Southwark, (unchecked) (Book). SNN103539.

<3> Armishaw, A., 2002, ARP Centre and Gas Decontamination Centre, Thornton Hall, Kingsthorpe, (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN104619.

<5> Northampton Independent, 1940, A Guide to First Aid Posts, (unchecked) (Extract). SNN104620.

Record last edited

Feb 4 2021 10:13AM