Monument record 8143/0/1 - HAA Battery Site, Daventry C

Site of Second World War heavy anti aircraft battery at Drayton, Daventry. It was listed as unarmed in 1942. There are no remains.

{1} Defences against aerial attack provided in WW2 - "at Daventry there were four 3in anti-aircraft guns, sited to defend the BBC transmitting station". SP56106355

{2} Specific reference to an unnamed HAA site established, along with another HAA site at Newnham, for defence of Daventry (presumably the BBC station on Borough Hill). No information on equipment. Note that the report contains detailed descriptions of HAA sites. Note that the NGR places this site in Daventry parish. Accuracy of the grid ref. may be suspect. SP563634

{3} Photographs of 'Daventry AA Battery located near the Transmitting Station'. The site shown is clearly that of an HAA, though whether related to the site at Newnham is undetermined. Photo's show 'an early form of listening device'; 'estimating the height of the aircraft' a sandbagged AA command post; 'a searchlight' inside a circular ditch; 'loading the AA gun' fixed position ?3" gun.

{4}Note from M Rumbold saying that J Smith of the Flore Heritage Society says "members (of Flore HS) report two Anti Aircraft sites in the Daventry area." (Newnham Grounds and Royal Oak)"Royal Oak: SP 564 636. Now the site of British Timken factory; soon to become ?housing?" The exact location remains uncertain. "It is reported that on one occasion that an enemy aircraft flew low over Weedon, firing on the village, the crew of the Newham site were on Pay Parade, and unable to take action. Another site (?Royal Oak) did manage to bracket it with a salvo of shells. SP564636

{5} War Diary summary of 244th (3rd Norfolk) AA Bty. (TA) & 78th (1st East Anglian) AA Regt. (TA). This includes record of all actions, and comprehensive list of equipment emplaced including that for this site, Daventry C. Summary includes reference to arrival of 2x3" guns at both Daventry HAA sites in May 1940; S/L's and crews arrive 16/09/40. Guns from both Daventry B and C moved to Bristol March 1941; S/Ls also withdrawn at this time.

{6} {7} Identifies regiment as 78 HAA; Bty as '2 secs'; Daventry B & C with address at Daventry BBC Station. Searchlight Details: 1 x 90cm Mk V projector & Mk IX sound locator with VIE will be located at each AA gun site. Searchlights placed in September 1940 and removed the following March.

{8} The area encompassed by the NGR's has been extensivly redeveloped in recent years. Extensive commercial estates & housing present. Potential for survival of any WW2 remains must be remote at best.
Site shown on post war AP ref CPE UK 1994 1272.

{9} HAA site called Royal Oak, probably after a pub called by the same name on the site, shown on old OS maps.

<1> Gibson M.L., 1982, Aviation In Northamptonshire: An Illustrated History, p.81-82 (unchecked) (Book). SNN100276.

<2> DOBINSON C.;, 1996, Twentieth Century Fortifications in England, Volume 1: Anti-Aircraft Artillery 1914-46, p. 350 (Report). SNN40730.

<3> 1978, Northamptonshire at War 1939-45: A Selection of Photographs, 110-111 (unchecked) (Book). SNN45820.

<4> RUMBOLD M., 1998, Anti-Aircraft sites, Daventry, (unchecked) (Note). SNN46890.

<5> Armishaw A. (compiler), 2002, Daventry Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, 1940-41: Summary of war diary of 244th (3rd Norfolk) AA BTY, (unchecked) (Diary). SNN102146.

<6> Armishaw A., 2001, Letter, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN101829.

<7> Armishaw, A., 2000, Letter, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN104628.

<8> Cadman G., 2014, 20th Century Military Archaeology in Northamptonshire: Logs 1, 2 & 3, p.252 (checked) (Report). SNN104868.

<9> Armishaw A., 2000, Letter, (checked) (Letter). SNN101958.

Record last edited

Mar 14 2023 11:27AM