Monument record 6455/0/1 - Clipston ROC Post

A Royal Observer Corps monitoring post. The site was built as part of an extensive network of posts designed to confirm and report hostile aircraft and nuclear attacks on the United Kingdom. It was opened during November 1959 and closed in September 1991. At the time of the Defence of Britain survey the site was found to be in a good condition. It was located underground on a high point on pastoral land 100 yards west of unnamed minor road.

{1} In summer of 1965 RAF decided that it no longer needed services of ROC in low-level reporting role; last 280 or so active overground structures became redundant; illustration of typical structure as at Clipston; opened 1938; ngr 703826; 1953 underground protected post accomodation for nuclear role; still in use Oct 1968;

{3} Site visit to Royal Observer Corps observation post. Comprises - brick built observation point and shelter of World War 2 origin and an underground bunker/shelter immediately adjacent (in use until early 1990's).

{4} There were 19 Observer posts in Northants during WWII. Identifying number for Clipston K1.

{5} The site remains in very good condition. It comprises the underground postwith an adjacent brick and concrete built observation post. It comprises a rectangular viewing platform (concrete floor with brick surrounding walls) accessed at its east end by concrete steps enclosed enclosed by brick blast walls. The NE corner of the platofrm is 'roofed' in with a simple but small area of wooden boards. Steps down from the centre of the north side of the platform lead to a small rectangular concrete roofedchamber extending the full width of the platform. This has small ventilation (?) openings high up in its W and E walls. Remains of wooden battens (for shelves?) survive at the west end of this chamber with traces of telephone fittings at the E end.

{8} SP70248268. On high point on pastoral land 100 yards west of un-named minor road. Opened Nov 1959. Closed Sept 1991. Visited by Sub. Brit 20.2.1999. Locked. Some internal fixtures and fittings present. Brick built aircraft observation post stands nearby.

{9} The FSM pipe, ventilation shaft and access shaft are all built-up on brick platforms. Standing beside the underground post is a brick-built aircraft observation post dating from WWII. Photos of site and explanatory notes.

{10} August 2009: colour internal and external photos and information that interior burnt out.
June 2010: site has been burned out for several years. Definite signs of drug use. The cupboard still exists but the doors have been torn off, the desk is still fixed to the wall and there are a couple of battery boxes in the corner.

<1> Wood D., 1992, Attack Warning Red: The Royal Observer Corps & The Defence of Britain 1925-1992 (Survival), (unchecked) (Chapter). SNN1225.

<2> Wood D., 1992, Attack Warning Red: The Royal Observer Corps & The Defence of Britain 1925-1992 (Survival), (unchecked) (Chapter). SNN1225.

<3> CADMAN G.E., 1994, Field observation: Clipston ROC Post, 1994, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN50024.

<4> Gibson M.L., 1982, Aviation In Northamptonshire: An Illustrated History, p.78-9 (unchecked) (Book). SNN100276.

<5> CADMAN G.E., 1998, SMR REPORT FORM, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN49639.

<6> CADMAN G.E., 1998, PHOTOGRAPHS, (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN52266.

<6> CADMAN G.E., 1998, PHOTOGRAPHS, (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN52266.

<7> Armishaw A., 2000, Clipston ROC Post, (checked) (Plan). SNN101436.

<8> 2002, Subterranea Britannica Web Site, https://www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/clipston-roc-post/ [Accessed 06/03/2024] (Website). SNN101437.

<9> Marden, G., 2000, Clipston R.O.C. Bunker, (checked) (Website). SNN108573.

<10> 28 Days Later, (unchecked) (Website). SNN108574.

<11> Cadman, G., 2012, ROC Posts and Naseby Battlefield Tour Viewing Point, (checked) (Note). SNN108620.

<12> Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources (Database). SNN112922.

<13> Historic England, Undated, Defence of Britain, DEB01 (Archive). SNN112947.

Record last edited

Mar 6 2024 11:29AM