BRANSCOMBE CROSS - Chain Home

[PETERTHEEATER]

Chain Home Station 13

Operations building at SY 1706 9052.

Rx Block at SY 1680 9024

http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm?lat=50.70764243884125&lon=-3.1706929206848145&gz=17&oz=7&gt=1

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Branscombe:+the+Old+Bakery+,Manor+Mill+and+ Forge,+Seaton,+EX12+3DB,+UK&hl=en&ll=50.707648,-3.170637&spn=0.001284,0.002411&sll=50.707004,-3.133678&sspn=0.041093,0.077162&oq=branscombe+cross+uk+&hq=Branscombe:+the+Old+Bakery+,Manor+Mill+and+Forg e,+Seaton,+EX12+3DB,+UK&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=50.707754,-3.170496&panoid=zj4Ac7Yirxjy5B9_Ov0a_g&cbp=12,284.38,,1,7.76

This site refers to it as Kingsdown Tail:

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2711603

Operations Block (see above)

Receiver block:

http://wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm?lat=50.705809631943566&lon=-3.1795039772987366&gz=20&oz=7&gt=1

It seems that every time that I now go looking for other things CH pops up but I'm not strong enough to pass it by!

There is another thread somewhere on the Branscome Cross area (Army camp?) but I can't locate it (the thread that is!)

[PETERTHEEATER]

Richard Drew took these photographs of the Branscome remains in 2007 and has kindly provided them to illustrate this thread. I have not added captions but if viewers wish to identify the buildings and structures I shall add them:

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/PICT6814-1.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/PICT6815-1.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/PICT6816-1.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/PICT6817.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/PICT6818.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/PICT6819.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/PICT6820.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/PICT6821.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/PICT6822.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/PICT6823.jpg

[PETERTHEEATER]

http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/PICT6814-1.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/PICT6815-1.jpg
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l366/PRACHUAP/PICT6816-1.jpg

[pauline]

Does anyone know anything about Branscombe? My relative was there before being posted to Bridlington in October 1943. Is there much left. I have found a few photos here www. derelictplaces.co.uk and here pastremains.co.uk but it seems the site is now a campsite.

[pauline]

Does anyone know anything about Branscombe? My relative was there before being posted to Bridlington in October 1943. Is there much left. I have found a few photos here www. derelictplaces.co.uk and here pastremains.co.uk but it seems the site is now a campsite.

[PETERTHEEATER]

If you mean the Branscome Cross Chain Home site pauline; look here:

http://www.airfieldinformationexchange.org/community/showthread.php?7984-BRANSCOMBE-CROSS-Chain-Home&highlight=Branscombe

[pauline]

More thanks Peter, This must be the place although I did not know it by that name. I have had a quick look where you suggest, and it seems as if a few structures still survive in one shape or another. I will take a closer look when I have more time.

[pauline]

I have found some nice aerial views of Branscombe here:

http://ukga.com/airfield/branscombe

[PETERTHEEATER]

The unlicensed airstrip at Branscombe (your link above refers) is a post-war airfield. The' Branscombe' at which your relative worked was almost certainly the Chain Home radar site to the north west.

[pauline]

I see what you mean, thanks for putting me right about that. I am puzzled as to why my relative was at this airfield though as he went on to be a Mid Upper Gunner on a Lancaster, and was lost on a mission to Dusseldorf. I wonder what he was doing at Branscombe.

[PETERTHEEATER]

He may have been there early in his service career and then volunteered for aircrew duties. Air Gunners frequently had an original 'trade' such as Ground Radio/Wireless Operator, Armourer, and/or aircraft maintenance trade from which they were trained as AGs.

[pauline]

Thank you, that makes sense. I know this is not the place for at length RAF history but what you have said is interesting to me. I am trying to find out more about Andy, and although the people at Wickenby have kindly sent me all that they know the earlier info at Branscome and Bridlington is more difficult.

[marka12]

theres more blocks and buildings on a nearby camp site.