Where was the Walkern Royal Observer Corp Post located ?
This was the question asked in the April 2006 issue of the Walkern Journal. The answers received are shared below.
Answer 1
The Observer Post was in Froghall Lane first, in the field opposite number 20, it then went to Bassus Green, on the left hand side of the first turn to Walkern Bury Farm, this was during the second World War. My husband Philip Waldock has the published Book, An Observers Tale, the story of Group 17 of the Royal Observer Corps. That belonged to his father Robin Waldock who was a member of the Walkern Royal Observer Corps. We also have a Certificate presented to Robin Waldock for Observer Corps.Service, they used to plot and observe incoming planes.
I have deposited a copy of this Book with Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies Library.If any one would be interested in it.
Eleanor Waldock
Answer 2
On the question about the location of the Royal Observer Posts, the main one was at the junction between the entrance to Walkern Bury farm and the road to Bassus Green. The other one was positioned on the other side of the valley at the top of Froghall Lane. A Mr Lake from Shephall was in charge of the Froghall Lane site; local observers were Jack Swain, Bernard Kitchener, Tom Boorman, Jack Dearman, and George Osborne among others. They met for instruction, orders etc. in the billiard room of the Red Lion pub. Also there was a searchlight company based in billets in Winters Lane, with the searchlight situated in what is now the horses’ field next to the river and beside the allotments.
Joyce Lamb
Answer 3
In answer to the query on the site of the Walkern Royal Observer Corp post. I found in my book, Attack Warning Red, the location of two sites. The first above ground post was opened in 1931 at TL282263 near the top end of Froghall Lane, and later in August 1949 was resited at TL303261 at the top of the lane to Bassus Green. In November 1953 it was made into an underground post until it was closed down in October 1968.
I was a member of the ROC for more than 25 years and based at the underground post at Brent Pelham.
Barry Jackman
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