Summary

Radio Listening Station, Aerial Site (destroyed)

Full description

See Radio Listening Station, Command Post, SMR 20988.

This is one of the five aerial sites clearly seen on an aerial photograph taken in October 1946 and described by local residents as seen in the 1950’s, 1960’s and later. <1> <2> The site comprised an aerial mast which stood, together with a small hut, in the centre of a completely circular area of grassland perhaps 35 yards across. This “inner” area was covered by a wire mesh “mat” which was suspended a few inches above ground level. This may well have served the same purpose as a “GL mat”, a similar horizontal wire mesh around A.A. radar sites devised to reduce interference from uneven ground surfaces. <3>

There appears to have been a straight access path through the wire. At the entrance to this, immediately outside this inner circle, was a second hut. Around this 35-yard diameter area was a much larger circle, probably close-mown, perhaps 150 yards across. The aerial photograph mentioned above shows most of these features but not the wire mesh nor, oddly, the masts. Although local memory, in this case recalling the 1950’s, is clear on this point, the aerial photograph shows that in October 1946 there were no masts.

It is possible, even probable, that this installation (the command post plus the five aerial sites) went through a series of development stages during its life perhaps under different authorities. This may have necessitated a number of physical changes. It is clear that there are many questions to be answered here.

Nothing of the aerial site now remains and the field has been returned to agriculture.

<1> RAF, 1946, CPE-UK 1735-5022, Oct 1946 (AP). SEX65572.

<2> Freeman, Barry and farmer of Park Farm, 2006, Radio Listening Station, Aerial Site (destroyed), W of Pleshey Road, Rolphy Green, Feb 2006 (Verbal communication). SEX65571.

<3> Dobinson, Colin, 1996, Twentieth Century Fortifications in England - Vol I - Anti-aircraft artillery 1914-1946, Vol 1.1 pp131-132 (DESC TEXT). SEX59624.

Monument Types

• RADIO LISTENING STATION (WWII, Modern - 1939 AD to 1945 AD)
• RADIO LISTENING STATION (Cold War, Modern - 1945 AD to 1980 AD)

Associated Events

• Visit by Fred Nash - Feb 2006 (Ref: Nash CHL Feb 2006)

Protected Status

• Historic Environment Character Zone: Chelmsford 12.1
• Historic Environment Character Area: Chelmsford 12

Sources and further reading

Related records

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