Monument record 8623/1/1 - WWII Road Block, Hopping Hill

One of the original seventeen Northampton roadblocks constructed of steel rails set in slots in the road. Created as a part of the Northampton anti-tank island/nodal point - Originally suggested as an anti-tank island with seventeen road blocks on roads around the town. When Northampton was redesignated a nodal point in September 1941 a number (14) of road blocks were removed and three were developed into defended localities. The roadblock was reinforced with concrete cylinders in mid 1941 and removed in September 1941. The road block was manned by 12th Battion Northamptonshire Home Guard (Northampton Borough) from Mid-August 1940 until the removal. This road block was located south of the brickworks, immediately on the north side gateway of a private road to Duston Reservoir, Hopping Hill, Rugby Road, Northampton.

{1}This appears to be a road block constructed by the County Council in early 1940 on behalf of the South Midland Area Command ona site approved by the C.R.E. Oxford District. The NGR given is based on the description of the location supplied by the County Surveyor, viz. a barrier places south of the Brickworks (now Airflow Streamlines) and immediately on the north side of the gateway of the private road leading to Duston Resevoir. The location of Duston Resevoir has not been traced.This was one of the original 17 road blocks set up around Northampton in 1940. With the designation of Northampton as a Nodal point in September 1941 and the creation of a number of Defended Localities in the town, the Hopping Hill Road road block was abandoned and the concrete cylinders moved to strengthen other defences.

{5} One of the original seventeen Northampton roadblocks constructed of steel rails set in slots in the road. Created as a part of the Northampton anti-tank island/nodal point - Originally suggested as an anti-tank island with seventeen road blocks on roads around the town. When Northampton was redesignated a nodal point in September 1941 a number (14) of road blocks were removed and three were developed into defended localities. The roadblock was reinforced with concrete cylinders in mid 1941 and removed in September 1941. The road block was manned by 12th Battion Northamptonshire Home Guard (Northampton Borough) from Mid-August 1940 until the removal. This road block was located south of the brickworks, immediately on the north side gateway of a private road to Duston Reservoir, Hopping Hill, Rugby Road, Northampton.

<1> HOLLOWELL S., 1998, DEFENCE OF BRITAIN RECORDING FORMS, (unchecked) (Notes). SNN51563.

<2> 1940, LETTERS, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN55034.

<3> Barnes L.E., 1946, History of the 12th Northamptonshire Battalion Home Guard 1940-1944, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN55036.

<4> Holloway B.G., 1949, The Northamptonshire Home Guard 1940-45, (unchecked) (Book). SNN55038.

<5> Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources (Database). SNN112922.

Record last edited

Apr 19 2024 11:25AM