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The Royal Observer Corps (ROC) was a civil defence organisation operating in the United Kingdom between 29 October 1925 and 31 December 1995, when the Corps' civilian volunteers were stood down. (ROC headquarters staff at RAF Bentley Priory stood down on 31 March 1996). Composed mainly of civilian spare-time volunteers, ROC personnel wore a Royal Air Force (RAF) style uniform and latterly came under the administrative control of RAF Strike Command and the operational control of the Home Office. Civilian volunteers were trained and administered by a small cadre of professional full-time officers under the command of the Commandant Royal Observer Corps; a serving RAF Air Commodore.
Overview
In 1925, following a Defence Committee initiative undertaken the previous year, the formation of an RAF command concerning the Air Defence of Great Britain led to the provision of a Raid Reporting System, itself delegated to a sub-committee consisting of representatives from the Air Ministry, Home Office and the General Post Office. This Raid Reporting System was to provide for the visual detection, identification, tracking and reporting of aircraft over Great Britain, and was eventually to become known as the Observer Corps. The Observer Corps was subsequently awarded the title Royal by His Majesty King George VI in April 1941, in recognition of service carried out by Observer Corps personnel during the Battle of Britain.
Throughout the remainder of World War II, the ROC continued to complement and at times replace the Chain Home defensive radar system by undertaking an inland aircraft tracking and reporting function, while Chain Home provided a predominantly coastal, long-range tracking and reporting system. With the advent of the Cold War, the ROC continued in its primary role of aircraft recognition and reporting, and in 1955 was allocated the additional task of detecting and reporting nuclear explosions and associated fall-out. By 1965, thanks to advances in (radar) technology, most roles and responsibilities relating to aircraft had been withdrawn and the ROC assumed the role of fieldforce for the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation, (UKWMO); a role which it continued until the early 1990s and the cessation of the Cold War.
By the late 1980s the ROC comprised 69 professional full-time officers, approximately 10,500 civilian spare-time volunteers, and over 100 Ministry of Defence (MoD) civilian support staff. At HQROC, (RAF Bentley Priory), over a dozen full-time secretarial, clerical and other administrative staff were present. Each of the 5 Area HQs were staffed by a clerical officer and a typist, and each of the 25 Group HQs were staffed by a clerical officer, typist and handyperson. (Many MoD civilian support staff were also civilian spare-time volunteers).
Following the UK Government's Options for Change defence spending review in 1990, the vast majority of the civilian spare-time volunteers were stood down on the 30th of September 1991, with the remainder being stood down on the 31st of December 1995. The closure of HQROC on the 31st of March 1996 and redeployment of those few remaining HQROC staff marked the disbandment of the ROC after over 70 years of service..
World War I
The ROC can trace its roots to World War I and the requirement for a warning system to bolster UK defences against bombing raids by Zeppelin airships. A system of observation posts and observers was organised, with a network of approximately 200 posts established in strategic areas. Initially these posts were manned by Army personnel, who were in turn replaced by Special (Police) Constables, and posts were coordinated on an area basis with telephone communications provided between themselves and their associated anti-aircraft defences.
Throughout 1917 Germany began to deploy increasing numbers of fixed-wing bombers, with the result that the number of airship raids decreased rapidly in favour of raids by such aircraft. In response to this new threat, Major General Edward Bailey Ashmore, a Royal Flying Corps pilot who later commanded an artillery division in Belgium, was appointed to devise an improved system of detection, communication and control.1 The system, called the Metropolitan Observation Service, encompassed the London Air Defence Area and later would extended eastwards towards the Kentish and Essex coasts. The Metropolitan Observation Service met with some success and although not fully operational until the late summer of 1918, (the last German bombing raid taking place on 19 May 1918), the lessons learned were to prove invaluable for future developments in this field. Major General Ashmore is often considered to have been the founder of what would eventually become the Royal Observer Corps.
| Air Raids | |||
| Aeroplanes | Airships | Deaths | |
| 1914 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1915 | 4 | 42 | 186 |
| 1916 | 28 | 126 | 302 |
| 1917 | 341 | 30 | 650 |
| 1918 | 59 | 10 | 178 |
| Total | 435 | 208 | 1316 |
Between the wars
Following the Armistice in 1918, it had been intended that the knowledge, experience and skills gained by the Metropolitan Observation Service during World War I would be maintained for the future security of the nation. However, by the end of 1920, the observation post networks and their associated anti-aircraft hardware had been decommissioned, and in 1922 the responsibility for air defence was transferred from the War Office, (responsible for the Army), to the Air Ministry.
Following this transfer of responsibility, Major General Ashmore, who had been responsible for air defence during World War I, reported to a new Air Raid Precautions (ARP) committee, established in January 1924. In areas surrounding Romney Marsh and the Weald a series of trials were undertaken to develop a Raid Reporting System which would employ an optimum arrangement of observation posts and associated control centres. During 1925 these trials were further extended to cover parts of Essex and Hampshire, and by October a proven modus operandi had been developed for a new organisation to be known as the Observer Corps, which was established on 29 October 1925.
Within a year four Groups operated in South East England, covering much of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Essex, with the intention that the whole of Great Britain would be covered by a total of 18 groups. Cooperation and participation was thus required between the RAF, the Army, the British police forces and the General Post Office (GPO). (The GPO being responsible at that time for the national telecommunications system). In January 1926 observers were recruited as Special Constables by county Police Constabularies, and each observation post was manned by a Sergeant and six Special Constables. Recruits were spare-time volunteers who received neither pay, uniform, nor allowancess, with the only distinguishing insignia, in the form of Observer Corps lapel badges, being purchased by individual volunteers at their own expense.
In 1929 the control of the Observer Corps passed from the county Police forces to the Air Ministry, although Chief Constables retained responsibility for personnel and recruitment matters. On 1 March 1929 the new Headquarters of the Observer Corps was established at Hillingdon House, RAF Uxbridge, and Air Commodore Edward A D Masterman CB CMG CBE AFC RAF (Rtd) was appointed as the first Commandant of the Observer Corps. Air Cdre Masterman held this appointment until his retirement on 1 March 1936, and was succeeded by Air Commodore Alfred Warrington-Morris CG CMG OBE AFC RAF (Rtd), who was destined to lead the Observer Corps through the critical period during World War II which saw the RAF emerge bruised but victorious following the Battle of Britain.
During the 1930s the number of groups increased until by 1936, England had a full coverage of observation posts south east of a line between Flamborough Head and Poole Harbour. (In 1936 the Headquarters of the Observer Corps relocated from RAF Uxbridge to RAF Bentley Priory). By 1939, practically the whole of Great Britain was covered with observation posts, with the western parts of Wales and Scotland together with England's West Country being included during 1940. The final group, Portree in the Western Isles, was formed in 1941.
World War II
Preparation
At the end of September 1938 the political crisis which culminated in the Munich Agreement had led to the Observer Corps being mobilised for a period of one week. This single act proved to be invaluable as it highlighted a number of organisational and technical shortcomings, and provided the impetus for the development of solutions to resolve these shortcomings. A series of exercises held throughout 1939 provided opportunities for the fine tuning of improvements made to command and control functions. Operational procedures would continue to evolve throughout the war, a process facilitated by the enthusiasm, dedication and professionalism which volunteer members, coming from every walk of life, brought with them to the Observer Corps.
At this time the only uniform items issued to Observer Corps personnel were steel helmets bearing the stenciled letters 'O C', together with armbands bearing the same. Both items of equipment were similar in style to those issued to members of the civil defence emergency services, including the Auxiliary Fire Service ('AFS') and Air Raid Precautions ('ARP'). With their status having previously been that of Special Constable, it was ironic that the initial batch of helmets issued to Observer Corps members were the same as those issued to Police forces; black in colour with the word 'POLICE' stencilled in white. (This led some Observer Corps members to simply scratch off the stencilled letters P, L, I, and E, to leave letters O and C remaining). High quality Royal Navy-issue binoculars were issued to observers, whose observation posts often consisted of nothing more than a wooden garden shed located next to a telegraph pole, this arrangement enabling a telecommunications link to be established with a control centre, often via a manual switchboard at local telephone exchange. Purpose-built observation posts introduced later were usually two storey structures, constructed of brick or concrete with an open topped observation platform above a small crew rest area. (These 1940s-era posts are sometimes incorrectly referred to as 'Orlit' posts; a term correctly associated with 1950s-era, pre-cast concrete aircraft observation posts, manufactured by Orlit Ltd.).
Early days of the war
On 24 August 1939 Chief Constables issued Mobilisation Notices to all members of the Observer Corps, with war being declared just ten days afterwards. From 3 September 1939, observation posts and control centres would be manned continuously until 12 May 1945, four days after VE Day.
The first months of World War II were known as the Phoney War, with little significant enemy aircraft activity over Great Britain. The Battle of Dunkirk commenced at the end of May 1940, with Allied troops cut off in retreat by the German Army in north-east France, resulting in the evacuation of British troops in Operation Dynamo. During this time the RAF lost a total of 944 aircraft, with half of these being fighter aircraft. Observer Corps posts in Kent and around the Thames estuary were able to play some part in plotting aircraft while they were over south east England. This was a useful period of exposure to war-time operations for Observer Corps personnel, and one which would provide invaluable experience.
Despite it being crucial that armed service personnel could correctly identify the various types of allied and German aircraft operating in the skies above and around Great Britain, in 1939 aircraft recognition was not yet the highly prized skill it was to become in the Observer Corps. Other armed services regarded accurate aircraft identification as being nigh impossible, however observers realised that there existed in this field a chronic skills deficiency, and the profile of aircraft recognition was raised from within the ranks of the Observer Corps. Aircraft recognition training material, consisting of aircraft silhouettes and other data, was introduced almost entirely under the auspices of the unofficial Observer Corps Club. Only much later did this skill obtain official recognition, with the result that it eventually spread throughout the armed forces.
Battle of Britain
After the Fall of France, the goal of Germany was to achieve air superiority over Great Britain by destroying RAF fighters, both in the air and on the ground, and by bombing aircraft manufacturing facilities. Winning the Battle of Britain, as it became known, was Germany's prerequisite in preparation for the invasion of Britain; Operation Sealion.
The British Chain Home radar defence system was able to warn of enemy aircraft approaching the British coast, but once having crossed the coastline the Observer Corps provided the only means of tracking their position. During the period from July to October 1940, the Observer Corps was at full stretch operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, plotting enemy aircraft and passing this essential information to RAF Fighter Command Groups and Sector Controls. (ROC personnel were deployed in two specific roles: Those in Class A were required to undertake 56 hours duty per week, while Class B personnel undertook up to 24 hours duty per week). The Battle of Britain also saw the introduction of the Blitz campaign and the shift of German bombing from airfields to cities. Again, the Observer Corps provided vital information which enabled timely air-raid warnings to be issued, thereby saving countless lives. The Blitz itself continued until early in the summer of 1941 and bombing continued, albeit on a reduced scale, until March 1945. The Observer Corps formed the cornerstone of Air Marshall Hugh Dowding's air defence system, who stated in a despatch following the Battle of Britain that:
- "It is important to note that at this time they (the Observer Corps) constituted the whole means of tracking enemy raids once they had crossed the coastline. Their work throughout was quite invaluable. Without it the air-raid warning systems could not have been operated and inland interceptions would rarely have been made."
As a result of their role during the Battle of Britain, in April 1941 the Observer Corps was granted the title Royal by King George VI, and the Royal Observer Corps (ROC) became a uniformed civil defence organisation administered by RAF Fighter Command. Also during that same year, in a change from the policy of the Observer Corps, the ROC undertook to recruit women personnel for the first time. Initially, the only uniforms provided were RAF overalls, (boiler suits), with an ROC breast badge, commonly referred to as the "soup plate" because of its shape and size. Standard issue RAF No.2 Battledress uniforms were issued in a rolling programme over the next two years. For the remainder of the war, the ROC would provide an essential part of Great Britain's air defences.
Seaborne Observers
In 1944, during preparations for the invasion of France, (Operation Overlord), a request for volunteers from within the ranks of the ROC produced 1,094 highly qualified candidates, from which 796 were selected to perform aircraft recognition duties as Seaborne Observers.
These Seaborne Observers, under the command of Group Commandant C.G.Cooke, undertook specialist training at the Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth, prior to being temporarily seconded to the Royal Navy with the rank of Petty Officer (Aircraft Identifier). The Seaborne Observers continued to wear their ROC uniform, but in addition wore a "SEABORNE" shoulder flash and Royal Navy brassard bearing the letters "RN". During the D-day landings, two Seaborne Observers were allocated to all participating US Navy vessels and Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships. The Seaborne Observers assumed control of each ship's anti aircraft batteries with the intention of reducing the previously high incidence of friendly fire, (collateral damage), between allied vessels and allied aircraft. The success of the Seaborne Observers in undertaking this role can be measured by a signal sent from Wing Commander P.B. Lucas, Air Staff Officer, who stated that:
- "The general impression amongst the Spitfire wings, covering our land and naval forces over and off the beach-head, appears to be that in the majority of cases the fire has come from British Navy warships and not from the merchant ships. Indeed I personally have yet to hear a single pilot report that a merchant vessel had opened fire on him"
During Operation Overlord a total of two Seaborne Observers lost their lives, several more were injured and twenty two survived their ships being sunk. In addition, ten Seaborne Observers were mentioned in despatches. The deployment of Seaborne Observers was regarded as an unqualified success and in recognition for their contribution to the success of the landings, King George Vl approved the permanent wearing of the SEABORNE shoulder flash on the ROC uniforms of those individuals who had taken part. Following the invasion, Air Chief Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory wrote a message which was circulated to all ROC personnel:
- "I have read reports from both pilots and naval officers regarding the Seaborne volunteers on board merchant vessels during recent operations. All reports agree that the Seaborne volunteers have more than fulfilled their duties and have undoubtedly saved many of our aircraft from being engaged by our ships guns. I should be grateful if you would please convey to all ranks of the Royal Observer Corps, and in particular to the Seaborne observers themselves, how grateful I, and all pilots in the Allied Expeditionary Air Force, are for their assistance, which has contributed in no small measure to the safety of our own aircraft, and also to the efficient protection of the ships at sea.
- The work of the Royal Observer Corps is quite often unjustly overlooked, and receives little recognition, and I therefore wish that the service they rendered on this occasion be as widely advertised as possible, and all units of the Air Defence of Great Britain are therefore to be informed of the success of this latest venture of the Royal Observer Corps."
A Seaborne Observers’ Association exists with Air Vice Marshal George Black CB OBE AFC RAF (Rtd), a former Commandant ROC, acting as Honorary President.
Flying bombs
Intelligence reports detailing the threat posed by Germany's flying bombs resulted in the instigation of Operation Totter, whereby ROC posts would fire ‘Snowflake’ illuminating rocket flares in order to alert RAF fighters to the presence of V-1 flying bombs.2 Observers at the coastal post of Dymchurch identified the very first of these weapons and within seconds of their report the defences were in action.
This new weapon gave the ROC much additional work, both at posts and control centres. RAF fighter controllers temporarily moved their radio equipment into the operations rooms of ROC control centres at Horsham and Maidstone in order to direct fighters to intercept V-1 flying bombs using information displayed on ROC plotting tables. Critics who had earlier claimed that the ROC would be unable to assist the new fast-flying Gloster Meteor jet aircraft were answered when these aircraft, on their first operational combat sorties to intercept V-1s, were controlled entirely using ROC derived information. The optimism shown by the then Commandant ROC, Air Cdre Crerar, that the ROC would cope with this new technology was well and truly vindicated.
Organisation and methods
The headquarters of each ROC Group operated from a control Centre, responsible for and controlled between 30 and 40 observation Posts, each of which would be some 10 km to 20 km from its neighbour. By 1945 there were 40 centres covering Great Britain, controlling in total more than 1,500 posts. (The ROC did not operate in Northern Ireland until 1953).
In order to monitor aircraft, observers used a simple but effective mechanical tracking device. Where the approximate height of an aircraft is known it becomes possible, by using a horizontal bearing and a vertical angle taken from a known point, to calculate the approximate position of that aircraft. Posts were equipped with a mechanical sighting Micklethwaite post instrument positioned over a map grid. After setting the instrument with the aircraft's approximate height, the observer would align a sighting bar with the aircraft. This bar was mechanically connected to a vertical pointer which would indicate the approximate position of the aircraft on the map grid. Observers would report the map coordinates, height, time, sector clock code and number of aircraft for each sighting to the aircraft Plotters located at the Centre. Positioned around a large table map, plotters would wear headsets to enable a constant communications link to be maintained with their allocated Cluster of posts, usually three in number.
The plotting table consisted of a large map with grid squares and posts being marked. Counters were placed on the map at the the reported aircraft's position, each counter indicating the height and number of aircraft, and a colour-coded system was used to indicated the time of observation in 5 minute segments. The table was surrounded by plotters, responsible for communicating with their allocated cluster of posts. Over time the track of aircraft could be traced, with the system of colour coding enabling the extrapolation of tracks and the removal of time expired (historical) data. From 1942, long-range boards were introduced into centre operations rooms, with Tellers communicating with neighbouring ROC groups in order to handover details of inbound and outbound aircraft tracks as they were plotted on this map.
Specific duties in the centre operations room included those undertaken by:
- Plotters - responsible for updating the plotting table and long range board
- Tellers - responsible for communicating with neighbouring ROC groups, Fighter Command Group and Sector controls, anti-aircraft batteries and searchlight units
- Alarm Controllers - responsible for liaising with the Police, the National Alert System, the Ministry of Home Security and with local industrial facilities
- Interrogator - responsible for liaising with ground controlled interception (GCI) radar units
- Duty Controller - together with an Assistant Duty Controller and Post Controller, responsible for supervising both the centre plotters and group observation posts
A Royal visitation
Perhaps the most unusual ROC post location was No.17 Group (Watford) Easy-4 Windsor Post, nestling between the battlements and chimneys on the top of Windsor Castle’s Brunswick Tower. Reporting for duty through the castle gates, many newly appointed ROC Group Officers were caught unawares when the castle Guardsmen in their sentry boxes snapped smartly to attention and presented arms. Observers frequently encountered King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Princesses, (Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret), in the castle grounds, where they would often make a point of stopping to enquire as to ROC activities.
On one memorable occasion, just after midnight during the Blitz, the observers on duty received a one-minute advanced warning from a royal footman that they were about to receive a royal visit. A few minutes later, the King and Queen, together with the teenage Princess Elizabeth, climbed up the steep ladder and joined the observers on the darkened roof-top while a major V-1 flying bomb attack was taking place over London. The royal visitors stayed for over an hour, asking technical questions and peering through binoculars at the unfolding aerial battle. Prior to departing, the royal party autographed the post Duty Log. The following evening, the royal party again appeared and on this occasion stayed for a longer period, although there was little aerial activity due to poor weather.
In the early 1960s, when the nuclear reporting role building programme was in full swing, the ROC post at Windsor relocated to the cellar beneath the Brunswick Tower and a partial monitoring room was excavated under the garden in front of the tower’s base. The BPI and FSM instrument fittings on the lawn were clearly visible to the many tourists visiting the castle, although few would have realised their significance. The GZI was mounted on top of the tower's battlements involving an exhausting climb of several hundred circular stone steps and 400 feet in each direction. The observers at the Windsor post were unique in the country in not having to provide their own food during exercises. Instead, they received hot meals, brought by royal footman, from the castle kitchens. Twelve months after the ROC post was closed, the Brunswick Tower was the starting point and seat of the 1992 Windsor Castle fire and was substantially damaged.
Ghosts in ROC uniforms
The ROC provided an additional and highly useful function to the war-time UK Government by providing a plausible cover story for a number of covert war-time operations. Up to twenty highly secret electronic warfare units were established across the UK, with their associated scientists and technicians being dressed in ROC uniforms so as to avoid arousing any suspicion while entering and leaving RAF, Army and Royal Navy establishments.
Throughout World War II, ROC personnel were paid expenses and allowances in cash via their Group HQ and several Deputy Group Commandants discovered that they had up to one hundred additonal observers appearing on their staff role, each receiving higher than normal allowances, despite these individuals having never reported for duty. A notable example of one such cover story involving the ROC is that which took place at RAF Little Rissington, where a series of tunnels were excavated during the 1940s. RAF Little Rissington forces personnel and local residents were informed that this activity was associated with an ROC unit, which was indeed seen to be manned by individuals wearing ROC uniforms. The ROC however had no knowledge of the existence of this supposed ROC facility until many years after the war. The true nature of the activities of these Ghost ROC personnel remains classified information, with public access to related documents being denied until 2045.
Briefly stood down
On 12 May 1945, when it was confirmed that the Luftwaffe had ceased combat operations, the ROC stood down. To mark the end of the war in Europe, the Air Ministry arranged a massed RAF rally and air display at RAF North Weald, in Essex, from Saturday 23 to Monday 25 of June, 1945. Approximately 2,000 members of the ROC were invited to attend the celebrations. As part of these celebrations, the Ensign of the ROC, (RAF blue with the Union Jack in the canton and defaced with the ROC crest in the fly - a design approved by King George VI), was dedicated at a special service.
On the day of the dedication of the ensign, (Sunday 24th), the approximately 2,000 observers present undertook the first ever uniformed ROC march-past to the accompaniment of the RAF Band, with the Under-Secretary of State for Air, Lord Beatty, taking the salute. The parade then formed into a huge square and the ROC Ensign was presented by Lord Beatty. The Ensign was borne to the drumhead by Observer Lieutenant Pollock, VC. During the parade, Observer Lieutenant Pollock carried the Ensign, flanked by two senior NCO’s, at the head of the massed contingent of observers. A film record of these events is held in the archives at the Imperial War Museum. However, in a matter of only a few months, the ROC would again be called upon to meet the challenges posed by a new threat; the Cold War.
The Cold War
A change of role
In September 1947, over a year after VE Day, the ROC held the first of a series of small scale exercises in southern England, which included for the first time substantial numbers of jet aircraft, principally in the form of the Gloster Meteor. The following year the first large scale exercise took place over a four day period; in the latter half of which radar was used as the sole means of monitoring and controlling participating aircraft. By the mid-1950s, the greater speeds and altitudes attained by jet aircraft combined with the improved performance of radar led to a reduced requirement on the part of the RAF for the services of the ROC in tracking aircraft. However, to compensate for a reduced role with regard to aircraft, an additional role for the ROC, in the form of defending against the effects of nuclear weapons, was announced in June 1955. The first significant exercise undertaken by the ROC involving a simulated nuclear attack took place during 1956, and by the following year the British Government had concluded that the combination of a risk of nuclear attack and a need for a nuclear deterrent would be the overriding considerations which would shape UK defence policy. With that view firmly in place, any pretence that an aircraft recognition and reporting role for the ROC would continue all but disappeared.
In 1957, the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation (UKWMO) was established under Home Office control. It was intended that the UKWMO would provide both civil and military authorities in the UK with essential information during a nuclear attack, with the ROC providing primary data on the position and magnitude of atomic weapons detonated during any such attack. This data would be used by the UKWMO, in conjunction with weather information provided by the Meteorological Office, to produce a forecast of radioactive fallout. Fallout would be monitored as and where it occurred, with its actual location and strength mapped using data obtained from instrumentation at ROC posts. Such information when combined with ROCMet, (data concerning actual wind speed and direction obtained from cluster Master Posts equipped with wind anemometers and other basic meteorological instruments), could permit accurate forecasts detailing the predicted distribution and strength of nuclear fallout to be disseminated.
Restructuring and reconstruction
In 1962, the forty ROC Groups were reorganised and reduced in number to thirty one, with a further reduction to twenty five taking place in 1968, including the control in Lisburn Northern Ireland. Service age limits of 16 to 65 were introduced, with service after the age of 65 only occuring where replacements could not be recruited, subject to annual review, and where appropriate medical certificates could be provided. (Some individuals acting as wartime post observers had served well into their seventies and eighties, although wartime centre observers had been forced to retire at fifty).
To enable the ROC to operate in a nuclear environment, changes were necessary to both centres and posts in order to provide protection against blast effects and radiation from nuclear bursts. It would also now be necessary for control centres and observation posts to be occupied for a period of between seven and twenty one days following any nuclear event. Between 1958 and 1968 a countrywide building programme resulted in a network of 1,563 underground monitoring posts, approximately eight square miles apart, distributed throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, at an estimated cost of almost £5,000 each. The posts were excavated to a depth of twenty five feet, a monocoque reinforced concrete building was cast and bitumen tanked (or waterproofed), before the whole structure was covered by a compacted soil mound. Entry was facilitated by a steel ladder in a vertical shaft leading to a single room, providing accommodation for three observers to live and work, with a separate toilet compartment with chemical closet. Air was circulated from grilled ventilators at both ends of the post and electricity was provided by a crated 12 volt lead acid battery, charged occasionally by a portable petrol electric generator. New instrumentation detected the peak overpressure from any nuclear burst, together with photographic indications of the burst location and size, plus resulting levels of radiation. Conditions in these spartan posts were cramped, cold, and in most cases damp. It was indeed fortunate that prolonged periods of occupation never proved to be necessary.
ROC centres were renamed as Controls and provided with bomb proof nuclear protected buildings.3 A small number of these were converted from suitable pre-existing World War II anti-aircraft operations rooms (AAORs), with the remainder specially constructed as above ground or semi-sunk blockhouse buildings. These were constructed to a standard layout, dependent upon the subsoil composition at the construction site. Controls provided living and operational accommodation for up to a hundred observers and UKWMO warning teams. Included in the centre layout were male and female dormitories, kitchen and canteen provision, life support systems and decontamination facilities, a communications centre and a split level central operations room with balcony positions.
In the vicinity of each control was a compact, brick built shack called the Radiac Store, which housed approximately 20 nuclear radiation sources in the form of milled metal discs. These discs, with strengths of 0.5 röntgen , 1 röntgen, 5 röntgens and 10 röntgens, were securely stored in lead-lined containers. Discs had to be audited monthly which entailed an ROC officer physically counting the discs into the palm of their bare hands, with the results being recorded in a log book. (This task was usually achieved with a degree of haste). Discs were used to calibrate and check the stocks of radiac instruments and for simulated live-training using such instruments. In practice, Health and Safety at Work regulations introduced in the 1970s resulted in radioactive sources being rarely if ever used, and as a result they seldom left the radiac store. Discs were finally withdrawn from service and returned to Aldermaston during the mid 1980s, with the last excercise involving such live radiation sources taking place at RAF West Raynham in 1980, during the annual ROC summer training camp.
Nuclear Reporting Cells
During the 1970s, in addition to the post observers and control observers, a third class of observer was introduced in order to staff Nuclear Reporting Cells (NRC) at selected major armed forces Headquarters throughout the UK. NRC observers provided the Army, Royal Navy and RAF with comprehensive visual displays and scientific interpretation of data provided by ROC controls. Their role combined basic ROC training with specialist scientific skills and training normally reserved for UKWMO warning teams. Higher levels of security clearance and specialist training were required for those undertaking the role of NRC observers.
Instrumentation
For the detection of nuclear bursts
- Atomic Weapons Detection Recognition and Estimation of Yield known as AWDREY was a desk mounted automatic instrument, located at certain selected controls, which detected nuclear explosions and indicated the estimated size of the blast in megatons.
- The Bomb Power Indicator or BPI consisted of a peak overpressure gauge with a dial which would register the pressure wave from a nuclear explosion passing over the instrument.
- The Ground Zero Indicator, or GZI or shadowgraph, consisted of four horizontally mounted cardinal compass point pinhole cameras within a metal drum. Each 'camera' contained a sheet of photosensitive paper on which were printed horizontal and vertical calibration lines.
For the measurement of Ionizing radiation
- The Radiac Survey Meter No 2 or RSM, introduced in 1955, counted particles produced by radioactive decay.
- The Fixed Survey Meter or FSM, introduced in 1958, could be operated from within the post with a cable leading to the externally mounted detector which was protected by a polycarbinate dome. The FSM used the same obsolete high voltage batteries as the RSM. In 1985 this instrument was replaced by the PDRM 82(F).
- The PDRM82 or Portable Dose Rate Meter and the desktop fixed PDRM 82(F) version of the same meter, manufactured by Plessey, were introduced during the 1980s.
Measurement of personal absorption
- The Dosimeter pocket meters were issued to individual observers for measuring their personal levels of radiation absorption.
Communications and technological developments
Initially, communications between posts and controls were made using former Army-issue head and breast communication sets via above-ground telephone lines, these being manually switched by telephone engineers prior to use. Army head and breast sets were replaced in 1964 by metal housed “Teletalk” units which only permitted one-way communications when the push-to-talk switch was depressed. The teletalks also used manually switched telephone lines, but with integral transistorisation to boost transmission and reception power. During the 1980s a new design of teletalk was introduced by British Telecom together with underground, permanently wired, landline connections that were hardened against the effects of Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) from nuclear bursts.
Posts were organised in “clusters” of three, four or five posts, with a single post in each cluster designated as the “Master Post”. To guard against the possibility of a cluster being disconnected from the parent control, master posts were provided with radio equipment capable of communicating with the parent control and up to three adjacent controls using separate radio frequences.
Inter-group control-to-control exchange of burst and radiation data was initially via "teller" voice message using telephone lines between adjacent groups. In 1971 this method was replaced by punched tape data exchanges by telegraph teleprinters located in the communications centre. Between 1981 and 1985 the teleprinters were replaced with modern computerised AD9000 message switch equipment, operating over a permanent and EMP hardened landline network, permitting direct communications between groups nationally. In the late 1980s the manually operated PMBX switchboards were replaced with computerised direct dial SX2000 equipment.
During the years immediately prior to the stand down of the ROC, trials were undertaken with the intention of providing monitoring posts with remotely operated above ground petrol generators to provide a constant electricity supply, “black” heaters to provide a warmer environment and new sealed, recycling ventilators to allow air changes without requiring the post to be exposed to a contaminated air source.
Luftmeldekorpset
Links were formed with the Luftmeldekorpset (LMK), the Danish Air Reporting Corps, who performed a similar nuclear warning role in Denmark to that of the ROC in the UK, while retaining the aircraft recognition role due to their proximity to Warsaw Pact member countries. Aircraft recognition competitions between the LMK and ROC took place annually until 1991, despite the ROC no longer having an operational role of aircraft recognition. Honours remained roughly even over the history of the competitions, with the four man ROC team taking the trophy in the final contest.4 Liaison visits to the LMKHQ proved popular, particularly as it was located in the basement of the main Carlsberg brewery in Copenhagen, with the LMK mess having free lager piped direct from the factory above. (The LMK was itself disbanded in 2004).
ROC rank structure
Commandants Royal Observer Corps
The Commandant of the Royal Observer Corps was a Royal Air Force officer with the rank of Air Commodore. With only three exceptions, (two Navigators and one General Duties (Ground) Supply Branch officer), all Commandants ROC were RAF pilots with extensive service records and previous command appointments. Had an ROC officer been appointed to the post of Commandant ROC they would have held the rank of Observer Commodore, although no such appointment was ever made.
Rank insignia
| ROC Rank | Insignia | Abbreviation | RAF Equivalent | Full-time Appointments | Spare-time Appointments | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Officers | ||||||
| Air Commodore |
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Commandant ROC (CROC) |
A serving RAF (General Duties) Officer. Prior to 1978 the majority of the Air Commodores were in their final appointment prior to retirement from the RAF. Post 1978, several Commandants ROC proceeded to attain the rank of Air Vice Marshal, or indeed a more senior rank, following the conclusion of their tenure as Commandant ROC. |
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| Observer Captain |
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Group Captain | Chief of Staff (CoS) | Area Commandant (5) | The most senior rank held by an ROC officer. This full-time appointment was also known as Deputy Commandant ROC throughout the period between 1941 and 1983. The volunteer spare-time Area Commandant, Observer Captain Joyce Shrubbs, MBE, was the only female officer in the history of the ROC to hold this rank. ROC officer's rank braid was identical to RAF braid, but dyed midnight black post-manufacture in order to remove the pale blue centre lines. |
| Observer Commander |
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Wing Commander | Senior Admin Officer HQROC Senior Ops Officer HQROC Deputy Area Commandant (5) Senior ROC Officer (SROCO) - 1992 to 1996 |
Group Commandant (25) | Promotion to Group Commandant with the rank of Observer Commander was based purely upon merit. Normally, successful candidates were found within the ranks of a group's junior officers, however candidates from adjacent groups were also appointed. There were also several instances of Chief or Leading Observers being promoted directly to the rank of Observer Commander. |
| Observer Lieutenant Commander |
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Squadron Leader | Ops Comms HQROC Ops Training HQROC Pers Serv Officer HQROC Supply Officer HQROC Area Staff Officer (5) Deputy Group Commandant (25) |
This rank was held by full-time officers only The rank was known as Observer Lieutenant (First Class) from 1941 until 1968. The issue of Squadron Leader not being equated with Observer Leader was due to Observer Leader resembling a term more likely to be associated with the Boy Scouts or Boy's Brigade movements. Area Staff Officers were known as Area Training Officers from 1941 until 1975. During operations the Deputy Group Commandant (DGC) became known as the Senior Duty Officer (SDO) until 1984, when the operational appointment became that of Executive Officer (Exec O or XO). Until 1985 Ops Comms and Ops Trg were known as Ops 1 and Ops 2 respectively. |
| ROC Rank | Insignia | Abbreviation | RAF Equivalent | Full-time Appointments | Spare-time Appointments | Notes |
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| Junior Officers | ||||||
| Observer Lieutenant |
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Flight Lieutenant | Ops Trg 2 HQROC Admin Officer HQROC Group Staff Officer (25) |
Crew Officers NRC Officers Group Officers |
Group Staff Officers had been known as Group Training Officers until 1975. When the number of groups was reduced between 1962 and 1968, the full-time officers from those amalgamated groups were designated Mobile Training Officers until natural wastage reduced their numbers to the staffing levels required. Volunteer spare-time officers received this promotion on merit. When on RAF stations and in shirt sleeve order, Observer Lieutenants were often mistaken for Air Commodores by RAF personnel, due to the two midnight bands separated by a band of pale blue on the composite braid rank slide. Obs Lt was the entry level rank for full-time ROC officers who attended the four week long Specialist Entrant and Re-entrant (SERE) Officers Course at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell. Until 1985 Ops Trg 2 was known as Ops 2A During operations, the Group Staff Officer was known as Deputy Senior Duty Officer until 1984, when they were retitled group Logistics Officer (Log O) |
| Observer Officer |
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Flying Officer | Crew Officers NRC Officers Group Officers |
Lowest rank for a spare-time officer. All officers wore small gold collar dogs bearing the letters "ROC" on both lapels of the raincoat, No.1 Dress jacket, No.2 Dress tunic and No.5 Mess Dress. The cap badge worn with the black beret or RAF style forage cap changed from silver to gold, with a woven gold wire badge used on the peaked cap. As uniformed civilians, the rank of officer within the ROC was held under Royal Warrant, as in the case of RAF Warrant Officers, rather than a Queen's Commission, as in the case of RAF Commissioned Officers. ROC officers were subject to a combination of RAF related Queens Regulations, Civil Service Staff Regulations (MoD Manuals) and the RAF's own Regulations for the Royal Observer Corps. |
| ROC Rank | Insignia | Abbreviation | RAF Equivalent | Full-time Appointments | Spare-time Appointments | Notes |
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| Other ranks | ||||||
| Chief Observer |  |
C/Obs or C/Obs (W) | Sergeant | Crew Supervisor (225), NRC Supervisor (30) or Post Head Observer (872) |
Royal Observer Corps shoulder flash and group numerals worn on each sleeve. Blue, red or gold Spitfire and star(s) proficiency badges worn on each sleeve indicating numbers of passes achieved in the annual ROC Master Test. Silver cap badge. | |
| Leading Observer |  |
L/Obs or L/Obs (W) | Corporal | Crew Supervisor (375), NRC Supervisor (60) or Post Instructor (872) |
Royal Observer Corps shoulder flash and group numerals worn on each sleeve. Blue, red or gold Spitfires and star(s) proficiency badges worn on each sleeve indicating numbers of passes achieved in the annual ROC Master Test. Silver cap badge. | |
| Observer | Obs or Obs (W) |
Airman | Crew, NRC or Post observer (c 8,000) | Royal Observer Corps shoulder flash and group numerals worn on each sleeve. Blue, red or gold Spitfires and star(s) proficiency badges worn on each sleeve indicating numbers of passes achieved in the annual ROC Master Test. Silver cap badge. |
ROC uniform and other insignia
The ROC crest and cap badge depict a 16th Century soldier holding aloft a flaming torch while shielding his eyes with his free hand, as though looking towards a distant place or object. This central figure is encircled by a wreath of gilt laurel and surmounted by the Royal Crown, the motto being Forewarned is Forearmed. Uniform tunic buttons, lapel badges and the reverse of the ROC Medal also depict the soldier in the same pose while standing beside a coastal signal fire or warning beacon, with a chain of lit beacons extending along the coastline into the far distance. (In this representation it easy to imagine the figure looking out towards the next beacon in the chain). The symbol of the coast watcher has its origins in the Elizabethan era, where such individuals were organised and paid for by the County Sheriff to tend and light beacons to warn of approaching enemies, such as the Spanish Armada of that period.
When the ROC was first issued with RAF style uniforms in 1941, the RAF was able to provide the majority of the uniform items but held insufficient stocks of RAF blue berets. However, at that time the Army held a surplus of black Royal Tank Regiment berets, therefore the ROC was issued with black berets, which remained part of the ROC uniform throughout its history. There was a similar shortage of both Sergeant and Corporal stripes. However, there existed a large surplus of rank badges destined for the quasi-military Royal Canadian (Volunteer) Storekeeper Corps who served in UK dockside warehouses during World War II. These badges, displaying horizontal bars within a wreath of laurel leaves, were adopted for the ROC, with Chief Storekeeper becoming Chief Observer and Leading Storekeeper becoming Leading Observer. The four bar rank of Master Storekeeper was discounted initially, but was under consideration in 1990 when the creation of an RAF Warrant Officer equivalent rank styled Master Observer, to act as dedicated assistants to Crew, Group and NRC officers, was being discussed. However, the decision on whether to introduce the rank of Master Observer was overtaken by the standing down announcement. (The surplus rank badges destined for the Royal Canadian (Volunteer) Storekeeper Corps were also used by the United States' Civilian Technical Corps, who were based in the UK during World War II).
Many observers joined the ROC after service in other armed forces. Aircrew brevets from the RAF, Army Air Corps and Royal Naval Air Service were permitted to be worn on ROC uniforms, along with any medal ribbons from British or British Empire (later Commonwealth) countries. Other permitted badges were specialist trade badges such as parachute brevets, marksmen badges, radio operator badges etc. The 796 volunteer observers who served on board Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships and US Navy vessels during the D-Day landings were permitted to wear the Seaborne shoulder flash for the remainder of their service with the ROC, including where promoted to officer ranks. A handful of Seaborne Observers remained in active service with the ROC when the majority of the spare-time volunteer members were stood down in 1991. (Several Seaborne Observers purportedly lied about their age in 1941 in order to qualify for special service duty).
From 1977 the uncomfortable wartime-issue "hairy mary" RAF No.2 Battledress uniforms were replaced in a rolling programme with comfortable, modern zip-fronted 1972 pattern No.2 RAF uniforms, immediately christened as 'mothercare suits' due to the shapeless style of these loose fitting jackets. RAF-issue blue shirts with collars attached, black ties, practical woollen jerseys known as 'wooly pullies' and additionally, for post observers only, new style green overalls and blue nylon foul weather jackets and overtrousers were issued. Standard RAF footwear was issued to all ranks below that of officer and to all spare-time officers. (Full-time officers purchased footwear at their own expense). ROC stable belts incorporating the colours of the ROC Medal ribbon were authorised by the Commandant ROC and introduced in 1985 for male observers. These were introduced as an optional, non-issue item and were purchased at the individual's expense. Another optional self purchase item were the RAF forage cap, also called the side hat, "chip bag" or "cheese cutter". In 1983, female members were granted permission to purchase and wear the WRAF hat in place of the beret.
Uniform and other insignia gallery
 ROC breast badge worn between 1941 and 1947, first on overalls then on No.2 Battledress tunics. (Known as the "soup plate" due to its shape and size). |
 ROC shoulder flashes including group number. (The number 2 relates to No.2 Group Horsham). |
 ROC Seaborne shoulder flash, worn below the "Royal Observer Corps" shoulder flash and group numerals, on both sleeves. |
 Typical 1950s style tunic showing black plastic ROC buttons, ROC shoulder flashes, No.6 Group numerals, Red "Spitfire" and Leading Observer rank badges. Also, an ROC Medal ribbon is worn on the tunic front. |
 A 1986 pattern breast patch, only permitted to be worn by post observers on their standard issue green overalls. |
 Red "Spitfire" proficiency badge, worn on both sleeves. (Blue blue/grey and Gold Spitfire badges were also awarded). |
 Blue "Star" proficiency badge. Stars were also worn on both sleeves, positioned below the Spitfire badge and, where present, above the rank badge. (Red and Gold stars were also awarded). |
 Post-1953 lapel badge, (Queen's Crown), worn on civilian clothing when not in uniform. (Pre-1968 badges were made of hallmarked sterling silver, however post-1968 badges were made from cast metal). |
 ROC metal tunic buttons, (Gold Officer's button 3mm larger in diameter), depicting the Elizabethan coast watcher emblem. |
 Black beret with silver cap badge, (Officers being easily distinguished by their gold cap badge), together with ROC stable belt incorporating the ROC Medal ribbon colours. |
ROC proficiency badges
All ROC ranks below that of Observer Officer were entitled to wear a Spitfire proficiency badge to mark success in the annual ROC Master Test examination. The first version of this test was introduced during World War II as a measure of competency in the field of aircraft recognition, with candidates required to correctly identify a set of aircraft silhouette cards in order to be judged proficient. (Results and names of those observers who had met the required standard were published at the rear of the ROC magazine). The insignia awarded to those who had been successful was a printed badge depicting a white Spitfire on blue/grey material. The test cards were later replaced by photographic slides projected onto a screen using a "Flash Trainer" projector. Between 1956 and 1966 the test became a mix of aircraft recognition and written answers to questions relating to the nuclear detection role. Latterly, the master test was a 100 question multiple-choice test, and separate specialist papers were provided for post and NRC observers.
The four levels of test result ranged from Failure to Basic Pass to Intermediate Pass and finally Master Pass. A score of 90% or above was required for the award of a Master Pass. On the first occasion a Master Pass was achieved, a Blue Spitfire badge would be awarded, with each subsequent pass rated as a Blue Star badge until the fifth pass when a Red Spitfire badge replaced the combined Blue Spitfire and 3 Blue Stars. After the award of the Red Spitfire, each subsequent five master passes were awarded with a Red Star badge until the twenty fifth pass, when the combined Red Spitfire and 3 Red Stars were replaced with a Gold Spitfire. (The Gold Spitfire badge was first introduced in 1988, although it could be awarded retrospecively).
The age limits of ROC service meant that in order to achieve the coveted Gold Spitfire and 3 Gold Stars a master level pass was required during almost every year of an observer’s service, assuming having joined at the minimum age. As a result, very few Gold Spitfire badges were awarded, and yet fewer Gold Stars.
Proficiency badge table
| Number of Master Level Passes | Badges (both sleeves) |
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Royal Observer Corps Medal
Prior to World War II, observers were employed by police forces and after twelve years of continuous service qualified for the Special Constable Long Service Medal. However, following RAF Fighter Command assuming control of the ROC in 1941, this ceased to be awarded to members of the ROC.
In 1950, King George Vl granted permission for the issue of a Royal Observer Corps Medal for twelve years continuous service. Each subsequent period of twelve years was recognised by the award of an RAF eagle clasp attached to the medal ribbon. Service by full-time officers was calculated at a rate of 50% for qualifying years, thereby requiring fully twenty four years service in order to qualify for a medal or subsequent clasp. However, any spare-time service previously undertaken by such individuals counted in full.
Observers who served for 28 days during WWII qualified for the award of a War Medal, with service of 1,080 days also qualifying for the 1939-1945 Star and the Defence Medal.
Annual summer training camps
After the concept was first introduced in 1948 by the then Commandant ROC, (Air Cdre Percy Bernard, 5th Earl of Bandon), annual summer training camps were held to enable spare-time volunteers, while spending a week in uniform at an RAF station, to attend a series of lectures, training courses and social events. A series of six to eight training camps would be held annually, with approximately 500 to 600 spare-time observers attending each week. Ranks below those of officer would be accommodated in vacant barrack block accommodation, while officers would be accommodated in the station Officer's Mess. Vacant offices and aircraft hangars would be converted into temporary training facilities.
A core-team of instructors, provided with pre-formatted lesson plans, would be drawn from those spare-time officers present, who in turn would be supervised by a team of up to nine full-time officers. Full-time officers would be present for the duration of the summer programme of training camps, one of which being appointed as Camp Entertainments Officer; organising events including social dances, visits to local places of interest and an end of camp grand raffle. On the last full day of each camp, a Cabinet Minister or senior RAF officer of the rank of Air Vice-Marshal or above would visit to inspect a Guard of Honour, tour the training facilities and address the assembled personnel.
A typical camp's day-to-day programme would concern:
Sunday - Afternoon arrival and registration. Formal evening opening assembly, (in uniform), followed by 'Meet and Greet' in the NAAFI club.
Monday - Morning parade. Lessons from 0900 to 1730, with one hour break for lunch. Evening free with optional visit to local place of interest.
Tuesday - Morning parade. Lessons from 0900 to 1730, with one hour break for lunch. Evening free with optional visit to local place of interest.
Wednesday - Morning pa