Wednesday 21 November 2007

Secret war work- # 299

During the war this church tower and the surrounding buildings of the church hall and village amenity rooms became a research centre for secret anti-aircraft radar systems; an advanced electronic science in those days. All that remains today are the graffiti carvings of the soldiers and radar experts who worked there. As an anti-aircraft gunner at a large and powerful gunsite defending the City of London and the Thames Estuary, my father made effective use of the new technology. He never saw his targets. They were radio co-ordinates who then simply "disappeared" shortly after he had "pressed the button".

6 comments:

  1. Very interesting! Hope the tower will remain for ever!

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  2. To respond to your comment about my fascination with food:

    I like to eat; therefore I am. :-)

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  3. I enjoy these kinds of posts. It brings back memories.

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  4. My father-in-law worked on the development of radar during WWII - I wonder if it was here? He was a boffin type, so I don't think he would have carved his name anywhere

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  5. Nice look back at history and what remains today that we can see and touch. Thank you.

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  6. Is it the church in Ham, by Richmond Park? Is it private property now or community centre?

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