Monument record MLI126205 - Royal Observer Corps Post, Scotter

Summary

Site of a former Royal Observer Corps post to the east of Scotter. Opened in 1961, closed in 1991 and demolished soon after.

Type and Period (1)

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Full Description

A former Royal Observer Corps underground observation post was located to the east of Scotter. The posts were built during the Cold War, as part of a national system to provide civil and military authorities with essential information in the event of a nuclear attack. The posts were equipped with a variety of scientific and meteorological instruments, with their primary function being to monitor and record the position and strength of any nearby nuclear strikes, and the subsequent passage of radioactive fallout in the area. This information would be passed to regional and national headquarters of the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation, assisting and informing the national authorities to co-ordinate any appropriate responses. This particular post is believed to have been opened in 1961. Access was through a 2ft square hatch on the surface, where an associated air vent would have been visible. A ladder would lead down the concrete shaft to two rooms; the first being quite small and used to house the chemical toilet. The second, much larger monitoring room measured approximately 15' by 7'6'', and would have been staffed by three observers. The post remained in use until 1991, when it was closed and demolished shortly afterwards. {1}{2} The above-ground elements of the post can be discerned on an aerial photograph taken of this area in June 1971. The post was located within a small enclosure at the corner of a larger arable field, to the immediate north of Kirton Road. {3}

Sources/Archives (3)

  •  Digital Archive: Council for British Archaeology. 2006. Defence of Britain Archive. Non Anti-Invasion Record 1349.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: Wayne D. Cocroft and Roger J.C. Thomas. 2003. Cold War: Building for Nuclear Confrontation 1946-1989. pp.176-86.
  •  Aerial Photograph: Hunting Surveys Ltd. 1971-2. Hunting Surveys Aerial Photography. Run 89, Frame 1526 (02/06/1971).

Map

Location

Grid reference SE 8963 0090 (point) Estimated from Sources
Civil Parish SCOTTER, WEST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

External Links (0)

Record last edited

Nov 1 2023 2:32PM

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