The Story So Far

Many years ago I served in the Territorial Army with the 32nd Scottish Signals Regiment. We had a Post Holocaust role but that changed when the Berlin wall fell and the Cold War ended. Still it left an impression on me, a fasicnation if you like about all things nuclear. I never knew about the Royal Observer Corps or what they did until in the summer of 2011 when I was given 2 small petrol generators. They were unusual in that they provided 14 volts and a maximum of 20 amps. Intrigued I did a bit of research and viola. A story unfolds before my eyes. The more I researched, the more I found. I stumbled across Nick Catford’s 2003 catalogue of the remaining posts at his website Subterranea Britannica . To my surprise I learnt that there was a post at the back of my old High School. Safe to say I was the only kid in my year who didn’t know it existed. Now it’s sadly gone but I was to discover that the post at Edzell was still there. After much enquiry I found out that it was owned by Dalhousie Estates and after a discussion I leased the site with my plans to restore it back to it’s former glory. Back in September of 2011, myself and youngest daughter Becky opened the hatch for the first time in 20 years, entering into a amazing time capsule. The encroachment of entropy had been slow and the post was still dry. Maps and charts festooned the desk, the duffel coats were still hanging on the back of the door, magazines in the cupboard, store’s issued soap and the comms kit was there, still fitted to the wall. A sound starting block to begin working from. First job was to remove everything from the post and begin preserving / repairing items. Next was to get in touch with the Royal Observer Corps Heritage Website . Fate shined upon me once more and I was to learn that of the few preserved posts in Scotland, one was located in Arbroath (Dun 38), only 14 miles away. This post had been fully restored by Cheryl Stewart who is a member of the heritage committee. A former member of the ROC, I was to find that she was an invaluable and inspiring individual. Cheryl not only has preserved the Arbroath post but has created a museum to the ROC in Arbroath. I also began contacting other Museums and ROC related groups in my search to locate the kit required to restore the post. I have so far successfully sourced a Burndept BE 525 Radio, Chairs, Gerry Cans, Bunk Beds and uniforms to name but a few. The work goes on so check back regularly and I’ll keep the site updated.