Monument record BAW 126 - RAF Bawdsey
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Summary
Location
Grid reference | Centred TM 33602 38004 (180m by 61m) |
---|---|
Map sheet | TM33NW |
Civil Parish | BAWDSEY, SUFFOLK COASTAL, SUFFOLK |
Map
Type and Period (3)
- MILITARY BUILDING (Constructed before July 1940, Edwardian to Mid 20th century - 1904 AD? to 1965 AD?)
- ANTENNA ARRAY (Constructed before July 1940, Edwardian to Mid 20th century - 1904 AD? to 1965 AD?)
- RADAR STATION? (Constructed before July 1940, Edwardian to Mid 20th century - 1904 AD? to 1965 AD?)
Full Description
A number of pre-1940 military buildings and two radio masts can be seen at RAF Bawdsey on photographs taken from 1940 onwards. The functions of the buildings are unknown but they may be related to the experimental Chain Home radar system developed at Bawdsey from 1936. (S1) The masts are probably receiver masts for the radar (see BAW 051 for the transmitter masts) which might suggest that one of the buildings could be the receiver block. The two buildings near what was probably the stable block for Bawdsey Manor are painted in a camouflage pattern (TM33603798 and TM33643799). (S2) (S3) (S4) By 1965 both of the masts have been dismantled but the buildings are all still visible on photographs taken in 1998. The small structure obscured by the mast on (S3) (S4) at TM33583800 appears to be a square pillbox. (S5) (S6)
Well preserved site at the home of British Radar. Remains include Receiver and Transmitter buildings, each with 4 sets of aerial base, with one radar still retained on APs from 1998. Buried receiver and transmitter buildings and attached aerials are in good condition. A number of accommodation buildings survive, including IFF, Guardhouses and 9 pillboxes (S7).
Sources/Archives (7)
- <S1> SXS50096 Monograph: Lowry B (Ed.). 1996. 20th Century Defences in Britain: An Introductory Guide. p 36-40.
- <S2> SSF50005 Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. RAF 2/BR11/10 B9 22-JUL-1940.
- <S3> SSF50005 Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. RAF 106W/LA1 4016 18-APR-1944.
- <S4> SSF50005 Photograph: RAF. Air Photograph. RAF 106G/LA23 3015 06-JUL-1944.
- <S5> SSF50073 Photograph: National Monuments Record. Air Photograph. NMR TM3338/2 (NMR18123/20) 13-AUG-1998.
- <S6> SSF50073 Photograph: National Monuments Record. Air Photograph. NMR TM3337/8 (NMR18128/03) 13-AUG-1998.
- <S7> SSF54928 Unpublished document: Anderton, M. J.. 2000. Twentieth Century Military Recording Project. World War Two radar stations.
Finds (0)
Protected Status/Designation
- None recorded
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Record last edited
Sep 7 2013 2:50PM