Building record 1295/1/3 - WWII Air Raid Shelters, Polebrook Airfield

At least seven Stanton type air raid shelters are present. At least four are located parallel to the main northern entrance to the base; others are located to the east and west.

{1} At least seven Stanton type air raid shelters are present. At least four are located parallel to the main northern entrance to the base; others are located to the east and west. All are built of prefabricated curved and ribbed concrete panels with single brick walled entrances, the latter with blast wall. At the opposite end are rectangular concrete"chimney" style emergency escape hatches. Some evidence for external earthern embankments (measured up to 14m x 5m externally). Concrete parts appear to be in good condition; the brick entrances are in poor condition experiencing partial or total collapse. Protruding concrete pieces at the base of the internal walls may have supported bench seats. No further evidence for other internal features. Two further air raid shelters are extant; similar to Stanton types above but with brick walled entrances at both ends and no escape hatch.

{3} At least seven Stanton type air raid shelters are present. All the shelters are derelict and most are heavily obscured by vegetation.

{4} A level II building recording survey of one of the stanton shelters was undertaken prior to conversion to alternative use.

<1> CADMAN G.E., 1996, SMR Report Form, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN49702.

<2> Site Plan (For Polebrook Airfield), (unchecked) (Plan). SNN102300.

<3> Cadman G., 2014, 20th Century Military Archaeology in Northamptonshire: Logs 1, 2 & 3, p.18+88-94 (unchecked) (Report). SNN104868.

<4> Williams, S, 2020, Level 2 Historic Building Survey, Air Raid Shelter, Polebrook Airfield, Polebrook, Northamptonshire (Report). SNN112569.

Record last edited

Jul 19 2021 3:45PM