Royal Observer Corps - Between The Wars

Between The Wars

Following the Armistice in 1918, it had been intended that the knowledge, experience and skills gained by the Metropolitan Observation Service during the First World War would be maintained for the future security of the nation. However, by the end of 1920, the observation post networks and their associated anti-aircraft hardware had been decommissioned, and in 1922 the responsibility for air defence was transferred from the War Office, (responsible for the Army), to the Air Ministry.

Following this transfer of responsibility, Major General Ashmore, who had been responsible for air defence during World War I, reported to a new Air Raid Precautions (ARP) committee, established in January 1924. In areas surrounding Romney Marsh and the Weald a series of trials were undertaken to develop a Raid Reporting System which would employ an optimum arrangement of observation posts and associated control centres. During 1925 these trials were further extended to cover parts of Essex and Hampshire, and by October a proven modus operandi had been developed for a new organisation to be known as the Observer Corps, which was established on 29 October 1925.

Within a year four Groups operated in South East England, covering much of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Essex, with the intention that the whole of Great Britain would be covered by a total of 18 groups. Cooperation and participation was thus required between the RAF, the Army, the British police forces and the General Post Office (GPO). (The GPO being responsible at that time for the national telecommunications system). In January 1926 observers were recruited as Special Constables by county Police Constabularies, and each observation post was manned by a Sergeant and six Special Constables. Recruits were spare-time volunteers who received neither pay, uniform, nor allowancess, with the only distinguishing insignia, in the form of Observer Corps lapel badges, being purchased by individual volunteers at their own expense.

In 1929 the control of the Observer Corps passed from the county Police forces to the Air Ministry, although Chief Constables retained responsibility for personnel and recruitment matters. On 1 March 1929 the new Headquarters of the Observer Corps was established at Hillingdon House, RAF Uxbridge, and Air Commodore Edward A D Masterman CB CMG CBE AFC RAF (Rtd) was appointed as the first Commandant of the Observer Corps. Air Cdre Masterman held this appointment until his retirement on 1 March 1936, and was succeeded by Air Commodore Alfred Warrington-Morris CG CMG OBE AFC RAF (Rtd), who was destined to lead the Observer Corps through the critical period during the Second World War which saw the RAF emerge bruised but victorious following the Battle of Britain.

During the 1930s the number of groups increased until by 1936, England had a full coverage of observation posts south east of a line between Flamborough Head and Poole Harbour. (In 1936 the Headquarters of the Observer Corps relocated from RAF Uxbridge to RAF Bentley Priory). By 1939, practically the whole of Great Britain was covered with observation posts, with the western parts of Wales and Scotland together with England's West Country being included during 1940. The final group, Portree in the Western Isles, was formed in 1941.