ROC Post, Culham, Oxfordshire. 30th August, 2011.
The Royal Observer Corps (ROC) was a civilian volunteer organisation operating in the UK between October 1925 & December 1995. Originally set up as part of a raid reporting system, it was invaluable during the Battle of Britain before being superseded by radar & was instrumental in alerting fighter pilots to the presence of V1s (doodlebugs) by sending up 'Snowflake' flares. After the war a new role was found, reporting the effects of fallout in the event of a thermo-nuclear war.
This particular post opened in 1960 & closed in 1968 & can be reached by parking in the car park at Culham Lock, crossing the road & following the riverside path roughly 250 meters along the Thames towards Appleford until you see a sign warning you that you're entering a firing range. Ignore this & go through the gate. As you see the firing range go to your left & up the hill, you'll have to fight your way through the brambles until you see concrete. This is a WWII tank battery. Go along the side of this to the left & bit further uphill & you'll see the open hatch of the post.
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6091/...e7845953_b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6220/...63f8dd1e_b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6162/...11aefbf5_b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6032/...14910368_b.jpg
http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/...0cefa16a_b.jpg
These pictures are the best of the 20 I took of the post & the tank battery. In all honesty, there wasn't that much to see as this is really just a single room at the bottom of a 20ft shaft. To see the rest, go to my site.
Re: ROC Post, Culham, Oxfordshire. 30th August, 2011.
That post is pretty trashed but good to see an update, was thinking of heading out soon myself but can see its not really worth it :thumb
Edit: Oh and next time post this in the ROC section bud, we have tons of posts in there like this:bgrin
Re: ROC Post, Culham, Oxfordshire. 30th August, 2011.
erm what has happened to this thread?
Re: ROC Post, Culham, Oxfordshire. 30th August, 2011.
Nice one mate - another off the list! Try and use the correct title format next time though please :thumb
Re: ROC Post, Culham, Oxfordshire. 30th August, 2011.
Seems I took it over, the other guy got scared by me so left it for dead, and here I am.
Re: ROC Post, Culham, Oxfordshire. 30th August, 2011.
It got moved to its proper section ROC Posts!
Re: ROC Post, Culham, Oxfordshire. 30th August, 2011.
Always interesting to see, thanks for posting it up.