Building record 8141/1/1 - Transmitter Building/ GEE Navigation Station

GEE was a radio navigation system used by the RAF during the Second World War. The station at Borough Hill was apparently the first of its type and was the 'master' station.

{1} {2} 699 Signals Unit of the RAF operated the Daventry GEE station up to at least November 1957. The document contains an “historical supplement detailing the history of RAF Daventry from April 1941. Note that first transmitter was a type 1323, Serial No.1, which was the prototype put to operational use. As this was the first transmitter of its type, presumably associated buildings would also be first of their type?”
AA notes that “there is supposed to be an RAF station date stone built somewhere into the former isolation hospital building at Staverton (SP549 610).”

{3}{4}{5} Armishaw reports his location of possible GEE Station 7111 Building at Borough Hill, approx 110m NNE of Station 5XX. Foundations only survive of the building, remainder has been demolished (in early 1990s?). Armishaw writes as follows -
“All of the records at the PRO locate the GEE transmitter near mast ‘N’, and close to the existing 5XX BBC building. The enclosed copy of a note contained in (PRO) AVIA7/1215 mentions the dimensions and layout of the building which is the same as those of the surviving foundations. Aerial photograpgh CPE/UK/1994-2268 April 1947 shows that there may also have been a blast wall protecting the western entrance – it is not possible to tell if they were roofed or free standing. Drawings in the PRO only show the layout of later stations which resemble Chain Home transmitters with the building completely surrounded by a blast wall to roof level. There is a smaller square building to the south of the main structure. The layout of the cable ducts in the floor will help to confirm its former use if I manage to track down some original plans.

{3}{6} ‘Daventry Calling the World’ sites the transmitter at the northern most tip of Borough Hill next to the golf course” (GCs note – see for example the observation re possible Gee station use at this location under 8142/0/1, WW2 Generator Bldg at N end of Daventry Borough Hill Country Park) “and describes the transmitters as being contained in three caravans, with an emeregency reserve transmitter near to the 5XX building. This is at odds with the primary sources. It could be the case that the information is correct but in the wrong order, as it is known that Daventry was the first master GEE station employing the prototype transmitter in an operational role and that mobile GEE stations were developed later in the war and in particular prior to D-Day.”

{7} 5XX Building. The building forms part of the first BBC transmitter built in 1925 and known as 5XX. In 1932 the station expanded and became the site of the Empire Service Broadcasting Station. The presence of large concrete blocks placed across the vehicle access road to 5XX suggests that this building, used recently by the BCC’s Tape Services unit, may no longer be in use. Outwardly the building appears to be in good condition.

<1> Armishaw, A., 2002, Letter, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN107320.

<2> Operations Record Book of 699 Signals Unit of the RAF, (checked) (Document). SNN107321.

<3> Armishaw, A., 2004, Letter, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN107322.

<4> 1941, Discussions at Daventry and Rugby 22nd-25th January 1941, (checked) (Document). SNN107323.

<5> Hayes, L.W. & MacLarty, B.N., 1939, The Empire Service Broadcasting Station at Daventry, (checked) (Extract). SNN107324.

<6> Tomalin N., 1988, Daventry Calling the World, (unchecked) (Book). SNN101782.

<7> Cadman, G., 2007, Daventry, Borough Hill - Note on Condition, (checked) (Note). SNN107029.

Record last edited

Aug 30 2023 12:19PM