RAF Ringstead, Dorset Radar, Communal Camp

RAF · Dorset · England · United Kingdom

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

RAF Ringstead radar site needed a camp for the staff to use, so just over the hill a site was found in the very small village of Upton. The camp was superimposed upon the farms and village. RAF & WAAF Site RAF Ringstead. The site of a Chain Home radar station at Ringstead established by April 1941. Chain Home stations provided early warning of enemy aircraft approaching Britain during the Second World War. They comprised transmission and receiver blocks, four 240ft timber receiver aerial towers, four 350ft steel transmitter aerial towers that stood on concrete pads, and other buildings such as dispersed accommodation huts, guard huts and stand-by set houses. From 1940 defensive measures were installed at radar stations, including Light Anti-Aircraft gun emplacements, pill boxes (these could have been earlier?), road blocks and air raid shelters.

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

Upton Camp. Upton Fort. CH - Chain Home. SL - Search Light. PB - Pill Box.

google

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

Ringstead Bay: I found this picture in my father in laws photo negatives. A group from the New Forest DA of the Camping Club of GB & Ireland..

John Ridout

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

Ringstead Bay:
John O'Neill was stationed in the Verne, Portland & RAF Ringstead Bay in the 50's and he took several photos of the time he was here. This is Ringsteads Cricket team.

1940's early 50's John O'Neill

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

Upton Grange has a very good picture of airmen in the camp. Ringstead Bay: RAF Upton Camp the domestic and HQ of Ringstead radar sites. The site of a Chain Home radar station at Ringstead established by April 1941. Chain Home stations provided early warning of enemy aircraft approaching Britain during the Second World War. They comprised transmission and receiver blocks, four 240ft timber receiver aerial towers, four 350ft steel transmitter aerial towers that stood on concrete pads, and other buildings such as dispersed accommodation huts, guard huts and stand-by set houses.

John Oneill

A now photo 2012.

05 February 2012.

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

Ringstead Bay:
From 1940 defensive measures were installed at radar stations, including Light Anti-Aircraft gun emplacements, pill boxes, road blocks and air raid shelters. Ringstead station was technically restored in the early 1950s as part of the Rotor programme and was in use until 1956. Aerial photography from 1978 shows three earth-covered buildings at the site within a 750 metre radius, two of these being the transmission and receiver blocks. The remains of two aerial base sets and 2-3 ancillary buildings also remain extant. (Past Scape.org.uk) .

DCC 1947

41 - Officers Mess - TB - 9058/40.
42 - Officers Qrs. Bath & Batmens Qrs. - TB - 9058/40.
43 - NAAFI & WAAF Sick Qtrs - TB 2032/41.
44 - NAAFI Barracks, Baths & Abluts. - TB - 2032/41.
45 - Barracks - 50'x18' - TB - 3649/41.
46 - " " " - " - 3649/41.
47 - " " " - " - 3649/41.
48 - Bath & Ablutions - TB - 3649.41.
49 - Dining Rm & Institute - TB - 14867/41.
50 - Sick Quarters - TB - 17304/40.
51 - RAF Admin Blk. - TB - 381/41.
52 - MT Office & EVT Class Rm - TB - 1975/41.
53 - MT Shed & Cycle Shed - TB - 381/41.
54 - Petrol Store - PB - 9061/40.
55 - Fire Sect., Arms Store & Ammo Store - PB - 15476/40.
56 - Fuel Compound - TB
57 - Store - TB.
58 - Guard Rm. - TB - 9061/40.
59 - Barrack Hut (part used as Station Church) RAF 72' - N.
60 - Barrack Hut WAAF 72' - N.
61 - Sewage Disposal Works - MUL/63(No.14 WA).
62 - Reserve Storage Water Tank - 13000Gals. - Galv. Iron.
63 - A.M.W.D. Garage - 18'x16' - N.

TB - Temporary Brick.
PB - Permanent Brick.
N - Nissen Hut.

AM Site Plan 2943/45

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

The road running down the hill from the A353 leads into the valley where this first building is situated. 54 - Petrol Store - PB - 9061/40. Petrol would be stored originally in 2gal flimsy cans and later Gerry cans.

20 May 2021

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

Motor Transport Garage. The MT Garage has now had some work on it and looks really nice with new doors and rendering

08 November 2017

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

Motor Transport Garage. Inside.

20 May 2021

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

Guard room and main entrance. 58 - Guard Room. - TB -9061/40.

23 May 2004

This is a 1580/42 at RAF Bibury and it may have looked very like it.

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

The guard room steps from the road.

05 February 2012

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

Looking down the camp road with the Sergeants Mess on the right hand side. On the left are several huts, bases and they were WAAF accommodation. On the right possibly 49 - Dining Rm & Institute - TB - 14867/41.

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

I think part of 44 - NAAFI Barracks, Baths & Abluts. - TB - 2032/41.

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

I think part of 44 - NAAFI Barracks, Baths & Abluts. - TB - 2032/41.

23 May 2004

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

I think part of 44 - NAAFI Barracks, Baths & Abluts. - TB - 2032/41.

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

Possibly 49 - Dining Rm & Institute - TB - 14867/41.

23 May 2004

49 - Dining Rm & Institute - TB - 14867/41.

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

57 - Store - TB. Across the road from the main gate is the parade square and store. On the left a brick walled fuel compound.

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

57 - Store - TB. The original door, door handle and paintwork.

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

56 - Fuel Compound - TB, in the corner.

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

56 - Fuel Compound - TB. The brick compound was the solid fuel compound for coke & coal to heat the huts.

23 May 2004

Coal would be issued and was very strict, usually just not enough to keep you warm.

05 February 2012

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

Here was:
41, 42, 46, 47, 48, 51, & 59 were here.
41 - Officers Mess - TB - 9058/40.
42 - Officers Qrs. Bath & Batmens Qrs. - TB - 9058/40.
46 - " " " - " - 3649/41. 47 - " " " - " - 3649/41.
48 - Bath & Ablutions - TB - 3649.41.
51 - RAF Admin Blk. - TB - 381/41.
59 - Barrack Hut (part used as Station Church) RAF 72' - N.

20 May 2021

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

35, 36, 37, all Defence Huts 36'x16' Nissen huts.

google

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

35, 36, 37, all Defence Huts 36'x16' Nissen huts.

dcc 1947

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

The area of the Nissen huts. The defence unit here originally in 1941 would probably be from the Dorset Regiment stationed at Dorchester, later the RAF Regiment may have taken over.

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

These may be toilets for the soldiers, Elsan bucket type.

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

South Side of the road behind the decomposing cow manure is a small brick building.

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

There are two small openings, one at the top and another at the bottom on both side walls. Air vents..

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

Front view.
The door and frame are now missing and you can just see the vent openings on the right hand wall.

23 May 2004

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

RAF Ringstead Record Site Plan AM 2943/45.
I found this plan on Upton Grange website, I have ordered a copy from Hendon. Its arrived and added to this page.

AM Site Plan 2943/45

RAF Ringstead Communal Camp

RAF Ringstead, Dorset. Chain Home Radar Station MENU