Cold War nuclear monitoring post, 'Roc 4/m.4', Tolleshunt D'Arcy (EHER 46676)

A Royal Observer Corps monitoring post. The site is located in the rear garden of Heron Hill on the south side of Beckingham Road. The site was built as part of an extensive network of posts designed to confirm and report hostile aircraft and nuclear attacks on the United Kingdom. The majority of these sites were built between 1956 and 1964, although their construction began after 1925 and continued into the early 1970s. At the time of the Defence of Britain survey (1995-2002) this site was found to remain in a fair condition.

1990-1999. Field survey by N. Catford. In a compound on the south side of Beckingham Road in the rear garden of Heron Hill. OPEN. Externally the post is in fair condition with some cracks in the concrete. Internally the post is clean but all furniture has been removed by the present owner apart from the cupboard and the table. Some wiring remains together with part of the surface post instrument consisting of a circular (about 15" diameter) outline map of the Blackwater Estuary with a metal outer rim with compass bearings marked on it. The is a mounting hole in the centre. Local ROC posts are also shown. A diagram of the instrument is shown on page 43 of Attack Warning Red. The owner Mr. Morgan has a file of papers relating to the ROC posts including the original lease. When the MOD relinquished the lease they paid £100 for the posts demolition! A brick aircraft observation building, probably dating from the war, stands nearby. <1> <2> 1995-2002. Defence of Britain survey. A Royal Observer Corps monitoring post. The site is located on Heron Hill on the south side of Beckingham Road. The site was built as part of an extensive network of posts designed to confirm and report hostile aircraft and nuclear attacks on the United Kingdom. The majority of these sites were built between 1956 and 1964, although their construction began after 1925 and continued into the early 1970s. At the time of the Defence of Britain survey (1995-2002) this site was found to remain in a fair condition. <3> <4> See also <4>. Original HER entry merged with NRHE data import.