Monument record MBC43714 - A Second World War military transmitter station, New Bare House, Whaddon

Summary

A Second World War military transmitter station is visible on historic aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the North Buckinghamshire Aerial Investigation and Mapping project (EBC18304).

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Map

Type and Period (4)

  • MILITARY INSTALLATION (20th Century - 1900 AD to 1999 AD)
  • TRANSMITTER SITE (20th Century - 1900 AD to 1999 AD)
  • MILITARY BUILDING (20th Century - 1900 AD to 1999 AD)
  • TRACKWAY (20th Century - 1900 AD to 1999 AD)

Description

A Second World War military transmitter station is visible on historic aerial photographs and was mapped as part of the North Buckinghamshire Aerial Investigation and Mapping project (EBC18304). Located in a field adjacent New Bare House, Whaddon village and centred at SP 81622 33289, the site comprises a linear road leading along a field boundary south of Shenley Road, along which are located at least thirteen rectangular military buildings of various sizes. In the fields to the west, south and east are scattered in an irregular pattern at least 32 tall radio masts or aerials. It is highly probable that these are part of the transmission aerials for nearby ‘Windy Ridge’ (Bucks HER No MBC24888 / 0950300000), the military two-way radio station that received decrypted information direct from Hut 3 at Station X, Bletchley Park and then transmitted intelligence to Allied military commanders in the various theatres of operation. The receiving aerials were adjacent the Windy Ridge buildings, but for security reasons the transmitter aerials were not located at that site but located nearby, this being one of two sites. The military personnel at the site were likely primarily Royal Corps of Signals but assisted by members of the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and they were probably accommodated in the hutted camp constructed in the field to the rear of Whaddon village hall. Following the war’s end, the Windy Ridge station continued in use for several years before closing. Aerial photographs taken in 1947 show that all of the aerials standing at this site only a year before had been dismantled, though all the buildings remain standing except the south-most, which appears to have been demolished. By 1954, only five of the original buildings remain standing at least into the 1960s. By 1981, however, the three buildings closest to the road have been demolished to make way for residential development. On aerial photographs taken in 2019, two of the wartime military buildings and the site’s access road remain upstanding (1-8).

Sources (8)

  • <1>SBC25811 Aerial Photograph: Historic England. 2022. RAF-3G-TUDD-UK-86 RV 6095 26-MAR-1946.
  • <2>SBC25839 Aerial Photograph: Historic England. 2022. RAF-CPE-UK-2159 RP 3180 13-JUN-1947.
  • <3>SBC25840 Aerial Photograph: Historic England. 2022. RAF-82-995 F22 0057 26-AUG-1954.
  • <4>SBC25838 Aerial Photograph: Historic England. 2022. RAF-543-1426 2F43 0372 28-AUG-1961.
  • <5>SBC25841 Aerial Photograph: Historic England. 2022. NMR 1942-214 13-MAY-1981.
  • <6>SBC25817 Digital archive: Milton Keynes Heritage Association. 2022. Taylor, J. 2022. Whaddon – Secrets of Windy Ridge (The Citizen, April 9 1998). Date Accessed 12-JUL-2022.
  • <7>SBC25822 Digital archive: The North Bucks Wanderer. 2022. The North Bucks Wanderer. 2021. D-Day Radio Station. Date Accessed 12-JUL-2022.
  • <8>SBC25596 Aerial Photograph: Historic England. 2022. Next Perspectives APGB Imagery. 14-SEP-2019 SP8133.

Location

Grid reference SP 8162 3328 (point)
Civil Parish WHADDON, Aylesbury Vale, Buckinghamshire

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (1)

  • Event - Survey: Aerial investigation and mapping project (Ref: 7768) (EBC18304)

Record last edited

Aug 16 2024 4:25PM

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