Site of Second World War Anti-Aircraft Rocket Site "C12 Recreation Ground", Central Park (EHER 20128)

Site of Second World War heavy anti aircraft battery at the Recreation Ground, Chelmsford, which formed part of the defences of Chelmsford. It was manned by the 211 Independent (Mixed) ZAA Battery in 1943.

NGR: Rocket Emplacements TL 7043 0668 Accommodation Site TL 7040 0676 Documented in contemporary records as "C12 Recreation Ground", a WWII Anti-Aircraft Rocket site in Central Park, Chelmsford. Equipment and manning at the site is documented, as manned by the 211 Independent (Mixed) ZAA Battery in 1943. Date Weapons Radar Bty Feb 1943 - Sept 1944 64 x U2P GL 211(101 Essex Home Guard) ZAA Dec 1943 211(Ind)(M)ZAA The written recollections of Mr. Peter Helsdon, a wartime member of 211(101 Essex Home Guard) "Z" AA Battery R.A., which manned the site, document that in August 1942 the battery moved from its training site at Writtle (SMR 20126) to its operational site at the Recreation Ground in Chelmsford. "When the new site was completed in February 1943 there were 64 twin rocket projectors, organised in four troops Able, Baker, Charlie and Dog, located on the open area bounded by the river, the lake, Park Rd. and the then cattle market (there was no Parkway then). Two G.L. Radar Cabins operated by Regulars (later ATS girls) were sited on the other side of the river in the cricket ground. These Radar Cabins were linked to the operations room near Park Rd." Two men manned each projector, which could fire two 3" anti-aircraft rockets to a maximum altitude of 19,000 feet. Initial training was at 185 London Road followed by live firing out to sea at Walton-on-the-Naze. Mr. Helsdon records that the Battery went into action many times and claimed hits on several occasions. The site was operational for one-and-a-half years ; the last site manning was on 11th September 1944. A full record of Mr. Helsdon's "Memories of the Home Guard's Defence of Chelmsford. 211(101 Essex Home Guard) "Z" A.A. Battery R.A." together with a 1936 map of the area showing the location of the Rocket Projectors, G.L. Radars, Nissen Huts, Operations Rooms, Mess Hall and a Bofors Gun, is in the SMR. A photocopy of Mr. Helsdon's "Fixture List of Manning Parades May - Aug 1944" is included together with five photographs of the projectors, rockets and Home Guard in Central Park. An aerial photograph taken in April 1947 shows many rows of surface marks in the previous area of the rocket projectors, probably left by the paving stone support bases and the ammunition shelters. Between the rows there are what appears to be straight East/West access paths, seven paths in all. At the N end of the park, approximately 20 military huts can be seen. <1> - <4> Other refs <6> - <9> Site visit July 1998: All signs of the rocket site have been cleared from Central Park and nothing remains to be seen. The Parkway roadway now crosses the N part of the park partly across the area where the huts stood. Two photographs taken of the site. <5> Rocket Emplacements at TL 7043 0668 and Accommodation Site at TL 7040 0676 . No new information from NRHE