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Royal Observer Corps (ROC) Observation Posts

The Royal Observer Corps (ROC) was first introduced in 1925 to help to identify incoming enemy aircraft; in the 1950's the threat of nuclear attack from Soviet Russia rapidly increased with the escalation of the Cold War.  This necessitated the monitoring of a nuclear burst and the subsequent fall-out; the responsibility fell to the ROC and 1563 underground monitoring posts were constructed around the British Isles. 

The Royal Observer Corp Crest

In 1955 the government announced that steps were being taken for the ROC to give warning and to measure the effect of a nuclear attack in event of a future war with the Soviets - this new duty was only secondary to the identification of incoming aircraft.  The ROC was chosen as they already possessed the infrastructure and personnel who were familiar with the monitoring equipment.  The posts where grouped in clusters of 3-4 with a main master post in each cluster. The master post had a VHF radio as well as the Tele-talk which ensured that communication was possible from all posts to the group HQ's.  The regional headquarters were where plotters would predict the areas that were to be affected by nuclear fallout; allowing the authorities to decide which services could remain in operation.  To give protection from the possible fall-out of a nuclear attack these monitoring rooms were constructed 15ft underground, usually at the location of a pre-existing Orlit post.  The underground room measured 15ft by 7ft and manned by 2-3 staff on a two week rotation. As of 1992 all of the remaining ROC posts were decommissioned and returned to the public sector, many being brought up by telephone companies due to their elevated positions. 

For ROC Headquarters, click here 

An example post is displayed in the gallery below, TheTimeChamber has visited over 50 posts around the country, however, not all of them are to be displayed on the website - a full list can be found on Subbrit, or ROCRemembered.