Monument record 1160/0/715 - 59 Greenfield Road, air raid shelter

An inspection was made on 5th May 2005, of a WW2 semi-sunken air raid shelter located in the back garden of 59 Greenfield Road, Northampton. The visit was undertaken in response to a request from the owners, Mr and Mrs Baxter , for advice as to its significance and care. The opportunity was also taken to compile a record of the structure.

(1)The air raid shelter is a semi-sunken domestic shelter, that is one constructed by excavating a trench in which the shelter is constructed before the earth cover is reinstated forming a protective raised earth mound. Its location and dimensions clearly indicate that it was intended as a family sized, domestic air-raid shelter.

The hexagonal form of the shelter has not to date been recognised elsewhere in the county. No record of commercially produced designs of this type have been traced (pers com A Armishaw). It remains uncertain therefore, whether this was a locally produced type of shelter or whether it is of ‘one off’ construction. The use of uniform panels has clear links with the Stanton type of shelter though the absence of any visible joints or fittings linking the panels and the presence of the uneven surface finish may suggest a partial copying of form rather than the active use of panels pre-cast and brought to the site for erection. The relatively thin (4 inch) wall on the north side of the entrance would have given little if any effective blast protection unless also originally earth embanked.

It is not possible to determine whether the partially surviving biblical inscription is an original feature of the shelter or one added later. The inscription is from Isaiah chapter 26 verse 3 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

The shelter was most likely built shortly before or during the early part of the war. It would have provided some protection to blast and splinters but would not have survived a direct hit by a high-explosive bomb. Presumably intended to accommodate a single family, facilities in the shelter would have been minimal and as with many domestic shelters there are indications that this one was liable to flooding. Given the absence of any concerted air raids on the town, it would however have doubtless been damp and uncomfortable perhaps with some form of basic seating and maybe sanitary arrangements. In practice it is likely that this shelter experienced little active use after its construction, though the very presence of this refuge would doubtless have provided welcome re-assurance should need arise. Later in the war, in more vulnerable parts of the country, especially where shelters were regularly occupied, for example for sleeping, the need to improve ventilation and tackle damp as well as providing facilities for proper lighting and for sleeping were recognised and shelters improved.

Many air raid shelters were built across Northamptonshire during WW2; they were present at airfields and other sites for military use and at factories, schools and other locations for civilian use. The majority were in towns, designed for use by the public. It is ‘guesstimated’ that there could well have been in excess of 1000 air raid shelters in Northampton alone. These would have ranged from small domestic shelters, such as the Anderson, located in back gardens for use by a single family to larger communal public shelters, the most common form being the surface built brick and concrete shelters erected in streets throughout the town. Some underground shelters were also constructed. The majority were demolished in the latter stages of the war or in the years following. The small numbers known to survive, inevitably remain vulnerable to modern demolition. Wartime air raid shelters of any type in good condition, are thus suspected to be relatively rare survivals in Northamptonshire today.

That at 29 Greenfield Road is a good example of a small domestic air-raid shelter. Documentary research might provide further information as to who built and when and whether the design was a standard one or a ‘one off’.

<1> Cadman G, 2005, 59 Greenfield Road, Northampton, Report on Inspection on WW2 air raid shelter, (unchecked) (Report). SNN105249.

Record last edited

Jun 28 2005 3:05PM