Exploring Kent's Past

It should not be assumed that this site is publicly accessible and it may be on private property. Do not trespass.

Monument details

Summary

Underground monitoring post built to monitor nuclear bomb explosions and the drift of fallout. Built in 1962 it was closed in October 1968 due to defence cut-backs. It is open and externally the condition is good including original green paint. Stripped internally apart from floding splint and first aid notice. Clean and free from vandalism.

Monument Types

• UNDERGROUND MONITORING POST (Abandoned 1991, Modern - 1960 AD to 2050 AD)

Full description

If you do not understand anything on this page please contact us.

Underground monitoring post built to monitor nuclear bomb explosions and the drift of fallout. Built in 1960 it was closed in Septemebr 1991. It is locked and in good external condition. In 1994 the site was visited and paperwork removed and given to the ROC Museum. One of the papers refered to routine checks for UKNET seismograph equipment as it was used at one stage for nuclear test ban verification. (1)

By 1925 there was a Royal Observer Corps observation Post at Barham (designated 1/C2), beside a track to the east of Upper Digges Place. In late April 1941 this was listed as falling ‘within the perimeter of a home guard defended area’. After the Second World War it was replaced by the present, exceptionally well-preserved, underground post, on the same site. It is not yet clear whether anything survives of the Second World War post.
Owner : Unknown
Publicly accessible : Unknown
How accessed for survey :
Tourism Potential :
Condition : unknown
Date of visit :
(2)

<1> Kent Defence Research Group, 1999, Ravelin Special No.8 The Royal Observer Corps: Underground in Kent & Essex (Monograph). SKE7996.

<2> 43 Division General Staff, 01/01/41, War Diary 43 Division General Staff (Unpublished document). SKE15158.

Sources and further reading

Related records