Items

• 2010
• ITV National News are covering the 70th Anniversary of the BoB on 12or13aug10 with stories of members who were in the Royal Observer Corps at the time of the BoB.
• BBC Radio 4's 'Today' are working on a series of pieces about the Battle of Britain. It will be broadcast between 15-20aug10 and may include observers.
• ITV would like to get in touch with observers who were active during the BoB.
• OC of Special Constables & ROC Badges & Insignia 1925 - 1995. by B.A.Rookley
• Battle of Britain Day by Day ...role of Observer Corps in Battle of Britain. See July 29th. (JimMac)
• Virtual ROC post tour. (RoyC)
• Radio 4's 'Today' would like to get in touch with observers who were active on 15-20aug1940 during the BoB.
• An ROC plaque is now hanging in the Memorial Room at the Ulster Tower in Thiepval. (AnnF)

• BPI, GZI, PDRM82F and FSM Dome are needed to complete restoration at Chopgate ROC Post

• How is your Czech? Need to translate? Right click and choose 'Translate with live search' (RoyC)
• The Secret Listeners. The RSS, (R)OC and the RSGB  (RoyC)
• Portadown man restores Cold War nuclear bunker. 31/45. See also www.nibunker.co.uk (RoyC)
• EB-Z  | on Harriers GR9 ZG503 and GR9 ZG857 of 41 Sqdn. | BoBMF Spitfire | more flying |  (RichardS 2Gr.)
• "Archive of U.S. Nuclear Test Films". Sent in by BobC 25Gr.
• The alternative 'Protect and Survive'. (RoyC)
• 31 Group Northern Ireland are currently restoring the former Portadown Master Post.
• Anyone wishing to view the former Master Post at Portadown contact nibunker@yahoo.co.uk
• Isle Of Man 70th Anniversary Battle of Britain Stamps  Ian Burrows was contacted by Air Commodore Graham Pitchfork MBE BA FRAeS, who wrote the commentary to accompany the issue. He asked for some ROC photos to be included which Ian provided.
• 'Air War Over the Nore' by Jon Sutherland and Diane Canwell. A review welcomed by Laura Wilkinson.
• Future in the balance for Fighter Command's historic HQ. The Times | Sat.03apr10. (Layne&Shere)
• Hansard 1942 vol 385 cc698-701.    Royal Observer Corps Centres (Men over 50)  (Roy Coulter)
• Former post at Wroughton is being used for seismic monitoring by the British Geological Survey. (Roy Coulter)
• The potential of this post seems to have far reaching appeal. Newspaper clipping from Nice. (Terry Giles)(Updated)
• Keep the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) petition.  (Ian Burrows)
• For the really switched-on: Podcasts (Dowding: Architect of Victory and BoB; ROC at 05.04 )  (David Owen)
• ITV Westcountry come to Veryan Post (Updated)
• A hopeful step back from Doomsday has taken place as the Nuclear Clock has moved a minute away from Midnight.
• A wine perfect for the Royal Observer Corps Association
• Great Horkesley 18/F.1 and the location for John Constable's The Cornfield
• Win prizes when you visit the Newark Air Museum. (Updated)
• Newark Air Museum is hosting its second V-Force reunion event on Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th April 2010.
   
• 2009
• What's a Micklethwait?
• RAF Harrier – 40 Years in service
• Shirley gets the President's Certificate
• Family Tree magazine will publish a comprehensive historical article about the ROC. On sale 27nov09. (Updated)
• Author Stephen Booth  www.stephen-booth.blogspot.com/  On this blog is a video of him reading from his book.  Any Ex ROC person listening to this extract will relate to it. (Jim Mackie)
• If you like murder mystery novels, try this one. You don’t get many with ROC connections ! (Jon Layne)
• HM The Queen Birthday Honour: Congratulations to Les Mitton on the award of the MBE. 38 years ROC Service, 10 years as Coventry GC
• Walter Newman, died last Thursday 17sep09. ROCA member, over 30 years in the ROC, and was Chief Observer at Stow. Funeral on Friday 9th October at 1130 at Stow on the Wold parish church then to Stow RBL
• An article on the history of the ROC is in the latest issue (No.12) of The Family and Local History Handbook. ISBN: 978 0 9552399 3 9 at £9.99. Stephen Rickitt.
• BBC Radio Cornwall interviews Lawrence Holmes at Veryan Post Museum on 06aug09. Sound and pictures.
• Official Opening of Revamped ROC Museum at Aeroventure
• Civil Defence Association Commemorative Service & Parade at the National Arboretum
• Visit to the Health and Safety Executive Laboratories near Buxton
• Service on the Royal Observer Corps Post at Herne Bay, Kent 1944-1945.
• 1 Group President, Mike Mott passed away on Thursday 16th July 2009.
• Restoration of Machynlleth ROC post in North Wales.
• Special event radio station, GB0ROC, at Machynlleth ROC post in September. QSL cards will be available.
• Civil Defence Association Commemorative Service & Parade at the National Arboretum
• 1 Group and the National Standard at the Armed Forces Parade Chatham Dockyard.  (Updated)
• 31 Group Standard at Thiepval and the Ulster Tower.
• The Genesis of the Royal Observer Corps and 'My Observer Corps'
• The Armed Forces Veterans Badge: response from the Veterans Agency
• Refurbished Ballynahinch Post  (Updated)
• Ulster Aviation Society. Progress of the ROC display
• Investigation report on Veryan ROC post, Cornwall
• Bunker watch for a nuclear catastrophe that never came.
• I'm writing the history of the British air traffic control service.
• “Granite” chain Brassington post in Derbyshire (8Group): Scheduling Attempt (Updated)
• "The Great Escape" - An insider's account. (Jon Layne)
• Orlit and Underground Posts with Miniature Observers.
• The East Midlands wartime "Oil Bonanza"  (Jon Layne)  (Updated)
• Farnsfield's Halifax Memorial  (Jon Layne)
• Which ROC were you in?  http://www.acronymfinder.com/ROC.html  (Roy Coulter)
• Plaque where the RAF was formed in 1918. (Jon Layne)
• Radiation monitoring is alive and well in the Civil Defence Warden's Service in Ireland.  (Roy Coulter)
• Hansard question 26nov52.    (Roy Coulter)
   
• 2008
• York to be annihilated...     (Roy Coulter)
• ROC Ration Packs -_Were they better during WW2 than in the Cold War ?!!
• A ROC post on Rootschat.com  The ROC "not really military..."
• The QE2 on its final visit to the Clyde passing Skelmorlie post.
• BBC nuclear bomb script released. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7648042.stm 03oct08.
• Presentation by 31 Group ROCA at Royal British Legion Hall Lisburn 25.09.08
• Harry Briggs goes tandem! (updated)
• Visit to Frogmore House by 7 Group Bedford ROCA on Sunday 24aug08.
• The 90th.anniversary of the RAF was celebrated at Duxford Airshow. Cliff Spink and Spitfire.
• RAF High Wycombe welcomes Spitfire Replica (painted EB-Z).
• Background to the wartime Spitfire... Observer Corps EB-Z  (updated)
• The Secrets of Underground Britain DVDs & Video from the Readers Digest
• Paranormal Plotting. The  Ghost of the Truro Operations Room
• Vulcan XH558 was flying at Farnborough this year.
• The Royal Observer Corps in 2008? – A perspective!
• Stars honour The Few (David Watson)
• Roc Posts (except NI) at http://content-delivery.co.uk/aviation/airfields/roc/ (Roy Coulter)
• Nuclear threat sparked tea worry  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7382750.stm (Roy Coulter)
• Hundreds of post photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/roc_posts/pool/ (Roy Coulter)
• Veteran's Day video clip ( >60 seconds ). Veteran's Day image.  www.veteransday.org.uk
• Presentation to RAFA at the Marine Court Hotel in Bangor on Saturday 8th March 2008
• It has been announced that Royal Air Force Aldergrove will close by 2010.
• Visit to the RAF Museum Reserve Collection at Stafford.
• Obituary for Harry Martin 1925 - 2008.  [updated]
• Aerial views of ROC posts Sixteen UKWMO film clips of 3-5 minutes each. (Roy Coulter) http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ukwmo&search_type=  [very poor linking!]
• Obituary for Margaret (Peggy) Deuchar (nee Evans) BEM by Jon Layne
• PC gone too far again - The Red Arrows  [updated]
   

• 2007

• "Post-nuclear broadcasting"on BBC Radio Four, Monday 04feb08 at 2000  (Roy Coulter)
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/document/document_20080204.shtml

• Saturday 5 January Channel 4 at 1930 - "1983 - The Brink of the Apocalypse" (Jon Layne)
  Radio Times | Programme Details

• Aeroventure incorporating the South Yorkshire Air Museum  - Jon Layne

• PC gone too far again - The Red Arrows
• Surprise Party for Paddy Malone
• WW2 People's War - Rudolf Hess   - David Watson
• Last chance to see around Winchester Control on the 17-18sep07. Roy
• Visit to Cheddleton Flint Mill, near Leek. Ashbourne Section CROCA - Jon Layne
• Another Post for sale on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ex-cold-war-Nuclear-Bunker-Land-Buxton-Peak-District_W0QQitemZ330150670027QQihZ014QQcategoryZ93847QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem  (PeteH.)
• Report on the death of Derrick Lamb who died on the 24jun07.

• Editors beware. A 2nd class stamp on the wrong size of envelope costs recipient £1.16 !

• Visit to 20 Group Control, York by 08Croca
• David Watson ebz7350@blueyonder.co.uk says: The British Veterans I.D&Discount Card from www.britishveterans.co.uk recognises ROCA. Feedback on using the card to info@britishveterans.co.uk 
• HM Revenue and Customs are still not taxing spare-time members of the ROC! http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/eimanual/eim70000.htm (ROY Coulter)
• TOCSIN makes it unto http://www.youtube.com/tocsinbang1 (Roy Coulter)
• Celebration party at the R.A.F.A. Club in Bedford.
• York Cold War Bunker, Acomb Rd.  [Updated]
   
• 2006
• Eulogy given at the service for Eric Bird who died on Wednesday 13dec06 
• Sandy Stewart passed away during the night of 11 / 12 October 2006
• Certificate of Commendation presented to Neville Cullingford.
• York Cold War Bunker, Acomb Rd.
• Battle of Britain Commemorative Lace Panel is now in Norwich Cathedral.
• RAF Cranwell and the Queen's Colour by Jon Layne.
• The Royal Observer Corps in Print: Book Reviews by Roy Coulter, 31 Group ROCA
• Seen at Newhaven Fort on the 04jun06. Caption please
• RAF Tangmere planned for demolition ...(again).  [and Updated]
• The only member of the ROC to hold the Victoria Cross
• Ashbourne Section CROCA - Post Cold War Emergency Planning
• Brian Fitzsimons with the ROCA standard at the commemorations of the 1st July 2006 at Thiepval
• "Pipes in the Peaks" at Dovedale Garage.
• Coast Watch Tower at Pakefield
• Bentley Priory visit 25apr06 in pictures.
• Closure of RAF Coltishall.
• BBC TV at the Group Control, York
• Does the rumoured 99 Group really exist ?

• RAF Holmpton update

• Portsmouth NRC had its 10th stand-down anniversary at the Ship and Castle in Portsmouth on 7/1/06
   
• 2005

• The ROC's 80th anniversary of its foundation and BoB parade at Horsham 2005.

• ROC in Baghdad!

• Demise of Bentley Priory
• Exhibition during November 2005, at Ripley Tourist Information Centre, Derbyshire. (update)
• Honorary Life Membership awarded to Joyce.
• Visit to RAF Holmpton.   JonLayne
• A tribute to Geoff Cameron
• East Anglian Ambulance Service have launched a national "In case of Emergency ( ICE ) " campaign
• All these people received Certificates - quite an achievement.  Marion Keeping
• 9 Group, just prior to going to the First Royal Review that day.  Marion Keeping
• Wirksworth – Lead, Red Tape, Mills Bombs and Testing Rolls-Royces.  Jon Layne
• Believed to be 14 Group/D2 photo.  Marion Keeping
• Next Restoration Project after 23 post Skelmorlie is 20 post Kilchattan Bay
• ROC Commemorative Plate (1925-1975). Addendum to the original item below.  Janet Bird
• Ashbourne Section CROCA visits The Brindley Mill at Leek in Staffordshire, designated an Ancient Monument and listed by English Heritage.
• Exhibition during November 2005, at Ripley Tourist Information Centre, Derbyshire.
• 6 Group ROC flag in one of some 70 plus arrangements at the Flower Festival in Wymondham Abbey.
• Ashbourne Section CROCA – Visit to Ecclesbourne Valley Railway A Preservation Project with Cold War connections
• Grant Beardsley's father flew EB-Z in 1940
• The R J Mitchell display at the Museum in Stoke on Trent
• Point of View!
  Scotsman:  The Battle of Britain Flight :- I think that one Spitfire 'should' be painted in the colours of either EBZ P7350 or EBZ P7666 with the legend of 'Observer Corps'. These are the two that I know of although there's another (unsure of the registration) ...just seems the Corps has been forgotten about (intentionally) in my view!
  Kentman:  Hi, With reference to the Points of View, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, BBMF, flew Spitfire Mk2a, P7350, in the markings of EB-Z during the 1986 display season. I don't know who made the comment in Points of View, but he should get his facts right, the ROC have not been forgotten. It was an honour that we were remembered, many hundreds of 'named' aircraft are still waiting.
  Moderator:-  r.mcdowell@imperial.ac.uk    ---See Grant Beardsley's item above
• AYR-23 Post Skelmorlie now has its own web site:  www.nuclearburst.co.uk
• Alex Luke: A memorial service will be held at Harrowgate Hill Methodist Church, Lowson Street, Darlington at 1.00pm on Monday 4th April 2005.
• Bunker Bear for Brixham   Lawrence Holmes 10 Group ROCA.
   
• 2004
• Paddy gets a Certificate of Commendation.

• Petty Officer Aircraft Identifiers, Royal Navy (RN) and Seaborne Observers. 'Ours or Theirs . . . .'   23 Group Newsletter article

• -- Lest We Forget –  Preparations for Invasion
  As an historical post-script, the following text has been adapted from the Pitkin Guide to D-Day and Derek Woods’s history of the ROC “Attack Warning Red”  Editor  Mick Marks 7 Group

• Special Seaborne Edition of the 10 Group ROCA Newsletter No 43 July 2004.  Editor Lawrence Holmes

• Former ROC Commandant takes the salute at the Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service at the village of Farnsfield near Mansfield.
• Observer Close: a new access road sign at the site of the former No 11 Group HQ in Truro, Cornwall.
• Guy Gibson and the Cornish Connection.
• 25 Group AYR-23 post Skelmorlie open 02may04 [Interior views added]
• Aircraft Recognition Certificate from the ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS CLUB at the History on Wheels Motor Museum.  Click here for more details
• Ashbourne Section Coventry ROCA Summer Visits 2004.
• Twins arrive in 17 Group.
• ROC eyries:  cartoon
• A Unique Opportunity for an Overnight Adventure in a Royal Observer Corps Monitoring Post
• " Cartoon of the week." English Heritage publish survey of Cold War sites. Janet Bird.
• 25 Group AYR-23 post Skelmorlie open 02may04 [Interior views added]
• “Granite” chain Brassington post in Derbyshire (8Group): Scheduling Attempt

• ...more

  ...Enlarge

  Plaque refixed at Newcastle Airport

• ROC Commemorative plate (1925-1975) pops up on TV
  Just watched the first of D-Day 60 programmes - BBC1 10am to 11am - over next four days. Huw Edwards introduced this one from Eisenhower's pre D-Day HQ at Southwick House and, during an interview with the "WW2 History Expert", what should appear on the wall just by the "expert's" left ear but an ROC Commemorative plate (1925-1975) Wasn't sure at first but as I'd taped the programme, was able to freeze the picture. Definitely one of ours !  Jon Layne  [see addendum / Items / 2005/ above]
   

• 2003

• The Life and Times of Sir Barnes Wallis  by Jon Layne  8Group Ashbourne Section CROCA

• Inside Out: The BBC at Hack Green

• 'Oddentification of the Observer Corps' Tea Towels for sale.

• More later...
   
• 2002
• More later...
   
• 2001
• Article published in Reflections September 2001 by Jon Layne
• A matrix of 12 x 12 letters hides 160 aircraft! 

• A new name has been given to the 'Luftmeldekorpset' (L.M.K.). It is now called 'Flyverhjemmevœrnet' (F.H.V.) in English 'Flying Home Guard'. www.skomer.u-net.com/   (see 23Group March'01 NL)

• The fascinating subject of markings and insignia...

• Forearmed is Forearmed by Henry Buckton

• Archived from Letters page
• A Prayer for the Stressed
   
• 2000
• CROCA (Ashbourne Section) visits in June and July 2000

• Alphapuzzle (Print it out. It takes 20-30 mins to do)

•   COSFORD. - A Great Place by Hamish Waugh. A Day At Cosford, The Aerospace Museum.  (with pictures)  [22 Group article]
• The Royal Observer Corps Benevolent Fund  SPREAD THE WORD!   [22 Group article]
• 747-400 flight simulator offer
   
• pre 2000
• CROCA (Ashbourne Section) visits in June and July 2000
• 8 Group 1979:  Flight aboard Westland Whirlwind XR485.  [updated] 8 Group image added.

• Alphapuzzle (Print it out. It takes 20-30 mins to do)