![Sample our Humanities journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5939/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Humanities.jpg"})
Abstract
Revetted with grass banks and hidden from view in a hollow a few hundred yards from the busy B 1224 Acomb Road, York, No. 20 Group Royal Observer Corps (ROC) Protected Headquarters was part of the United Kingdom War Monitoring Organisation (UKWMO) from 1961 to 1991. UKWMO was the Home Office body responsible for issuing warning of air attack, both conventional and nuclear; providing confirmation of a nuclear strike; monitoring and giving warning of the approach of radioactive fallout; supplying home forces, national and regional government with scientific assessments of any nuclear bursts; and the provision of a post-nuclear attack meteorological service. Officially opened on 16 December 1961, No. 20 Group ROC HQ (Control) operations block remained in service until the Royal Observer Corps was stood down in September 1991; even after that it did not officially close until de-storing had been completed on 31 March 1992. The structure stood empty for some time and its condition deteriorated badly until it was scheduled, restored, and opened to the public by English Heritage.