Monument record MDR13309 - Royal Observer Corps monitoring post, Fabrick Wood, Ashover

The Royal Observer Corps monitoring post at Ashover was opened in November 1959 and closed in September 1991. All surface features remain intact. Both shafts are clad in stone although this has fallen away in places [according to a site visit on June 17 2000]. One ventilation louvre is missing. There is an 18 inch extension of 1.5 inch diameter pipe welded onto the top of the FSM pipe cover plate. Its purpose is unknown, although the post is believed to have been used by an amateur radio club. The hatch is securely locked. It appears to be of an unusual 'local' design with raised hasps at one end and a different internal locking mechanism. A metal dome and mountings for an aerial mast on the ventilation shaft and three guying points nearby indicate that this was a master post. (1) Ashover Royal Observer Corps post was opened in January 1938 and in 1943 was equipped with flares to warn aircraft of the high ground in the area. In November 1959 the post was rebuilt underground. It was a master post and as such was fitted with 3 channel VHF radio equipment. The location of the post allowed direct radio communication with the group control in Coventry. It closed in 1991 but was later bought by three local radio amateurs who planned to use it as a radio shack. However, following repeated damage and theft of their equipment, this plan was abandoned. (2)