combat
20-02-2012, 02:20 PM
Visited with wastelandwanderer on a special opening. 57 London Road (`Fairlawns') was requisitioned in 1939 as a new headquarters for No.1 Group, Royal Observer Corps - having previously been stationed in rooms above Maidstone Post Office. In use throughout WWII until stand down, by the 1950s Fairlawns was relegated to being a training centre for the group control at Beckenham (19 Group).
In 1961 a new semi-sunk control was built to the rear of the house, with administration located in the house. In 1976, Fairlawns was renamed Ashmore House in memory of the Corps' founder Major Ashmore. Enough water for 1 weeks use for 70 people, but 3 weeks worth of diesel.
On closure in 1992, Ashmore House and the Control Bunker behind were sold to a local firm of solicitors.
Used for file storage until recently, H&S regulations have forced the solicitors to abandon use of the bunker, I wont put too many external shots in as these have been covered by other posts
There is an official visit on 17th March 2012, led by a former HQ ROC member . Donations recieved on this day going to charity. PM me for details
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000495.jpg
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000493.jpg
Entrance Hall , Decontamination rooms on left behing green door, all the showers have been removed.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000486.jpg
Looking back up the entrance stairs to lower levels.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000485.jpg
Compressor plant room, the equipment looks like it was just abandoned yesterday.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000457.jpg
Plot/observation room and upper galleries, the original fittings were sold the SOC kelvedon hatch
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000451.jpg
Sound insulated teleprinter room.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000492.jpg
Air Intake Filter room.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000456.jpg
Radio Room and room behind green door is faraday cage shielded
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000460.jpg
Looking down to the ops room
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000473.jpg
Dial in the compressor room
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000477.jpg
Not a LED in sight!
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000478.jpg
Standby Generator set room
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000482.jpg
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000500.jpg
Alternative exit
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000498.jpg
Alt exit Hadnt been opened in a long while judging by the number of resident spiders
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000489.jpg
Plant room for ejecting unwanted semi solid matter
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000468.jpg
The place is full of indicators
In 1961 a new semi-sunk control was built to the rear of the house, with administration located in the house. In 1976, Fairlawns was renamed Ashmore House in memory of the Corps' founder Major Ashmore. Enough water for 1 weeks use for 70 people, but 3 weeks worth of diesel.
On closure in 1992, Ashmore House and the Control Bunker behind were sold to a local firm of solicitors.
Used for file storage until recently, H&S regulations have forced the solicitors to abandon use of the bunker, I wont put too many external shots in as these have been covered by other posts
There is an official visit on 17th March 2012, led by a former HQ ROC member . Donations recieved on this day going to charity. PM me for details
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000495.jpg
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000493.jpg
Entrance Hall , Decontamination rooms on left behing green door, all the showers have been removed.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000486.jpg
Looking back up the entrance stairs to lower levels.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000485.jpg
Compressor plant room, the equipment looks like it was just abandoned yesterday.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000457.jpg
Plot/observation room and upper galleries, the original fittings were sold the SOC kelvedon hatch
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000451.jpg
Sound insulated teleprinter room.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000492.jpg
Air Intake Filter room.
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000456.jpg
Radio Room and room behind green door is faraday cage shielded
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000460.jpg
Looking down to the ops room
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000473.jpg
Dial in the compressor room
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000477.jpg
Not a LED in sight!
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000478.jpg
Standby Generator set room
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000482.jpg
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000500.jpg
Alternative exit
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000498.jpg
Alt exit Hadnt been opened in a long while judging by the number of resident spiders
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000489.jpg
Plant room for ejecting unwanted semi solid matter
http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv105/hettonpilgrim/ROC%20HQ%20Maidstone%20no1%20Group/P1000468.jpg
The place is full of indicators