Monument record 8681/0/1 - Gas Decontamination Centre, Thornton Hall

{1} Thornton Park aka Kingsthorpe, or Queens Park in Kingsthorpe was according to AA site of a gas decontamination chambers erected during WW2; brief inspection confirms presence of a range of single storey brick buildings located within Borough Council Depot adjoining north side of former Kingsthorpe Hall which is now Kingsthorpe Community Centre; buildings are those of Gas Decontamination Centre; building range appeared to be derelict; no inspection of interior conducted;

{2} AA concludes that this a gas decontamination centre; this has a gas proof steel door on each end, with thick rubber seals and circular wired glass portholes in the centre. The oil tank in the ‘lean-to’ section appears to be a later addition, as it stands on modern brick legs. Double doors in the side of this building are also later features, and it is possible to see thin slivers of brick either side of these, where the door was cut through the solid wall.
The main building is what I believe may have been the ARP control centre. Plan enclosed. AA observes that the presence of only one entrance is 'strange', with no sign of an emergency exit(s). All the three entrances in the west face of the building have been cut later, and it is possible to see the bricked up windows above these. I think that this is probably quite an unusual group of buildings, and in very good condition, the roof being like new.

{3} Haywards of Southwark, producers of coalplates and pavement lights may be the firm that produced the gas doors for the Kingsthorpe decontamination centre; Production of gas proof steel doors and black-out ventilators by Haywards has subsequently been confirmed by AA using as the source the following publication- no author or date; 'Years of Reflection 1783-1953, The story of Haywards of the Borough'.

{4} Photos; couldn't gain entry into the decontamination centre, "but a crack in the side doors allowed me to see that the roof is once again supported by an RSJ frame standing on RSJ legs." " The doors on the gas decontamination centre are constructed from heavy steel, with large handles in the centre. Both doors have an oval makers plate which reads 'Haywards Ltd. London SE1' and thick rubber seals between the door and frame."

{5} Plans of P.A.D. Gas Cleansing Centres in Appedix XVIII and XIX. Former very similar to that at Kingsthorpe.

{6} AA writes that the Edmonton Civil Defence Centre, as recorded on the Sub. Brit. Website, looks "very similar to the building at Kingsthorpe". Contains a gas decontamination and cleansing station; 10' square brick tower at one end housing the water tank. The site continued in use until the end of the Civil Defence Corps in 1968; it is described on the website as the only complete WW2 Civil Defence Centre still extant in London. (Stored in Supplementary Files with source {5})

<1> Adkinson A.L., 1997, ORAL REPORT TO SMR, (unchecked) (Oral Report). SNN50484.

<2> Armishaw A., 2002, Letter, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN102101.

<3> Jones, C., 2003, Subterranean Southwark, (unchecked) (Book). SNN103539.

<4> Armishaw, A., 2002, ARP Centre and Gas Decontamination Centre, Thornton Hall, Kingsthorpe, (unchecked) (Photographs). SNN104619.

<5> The War Office, 1939 (provis, Protection against Gas and Air Raids. Pamphlet No 3 Passive Air Defence., p. 116-117 (unchecked) (Pamphlet). SNN104621.

<6> Armishaw, A., 2004, Correspondence, (unchecked) (Letter). SNN104693.

Record last edited

Jan 21 2009 9:54AM