Atomic Weapons Research Establishment. Orford ... - English Heritage

Figure 15: Kinetheodolite base (C) NMR AA99/08401
for AWRE staff. To its east photographs show the majority of the buildings were timber
sheds and most have been levelled. The plan form of the area may, nevertheless, still
be discerned from the remaining floor slabs and paths. To the north of this area, and
adjacent to the main west to east track is a Second World War Static Water Tank
13. The Offices/Stores C8/7 building is also of First World War date and is of similar
construction to the Canteen C13/3. It is believed that this building was used in 1935 by
the experimental radar team to prove the effectiveness of this technology in locating
approaching aircraft. A number of concrete footings and mast bases between it and the
Canteen C13/3 probably also relate to this work. To its west an embankment leads up
to the site of a 5 ton Bridge C52/159 that was built to assist in the construction of the
test structures on Orford Beach. Opposite to the main entrance to The Street are two
small buildings, AEAC/PBX C5/74 (Atomic Energy Authority C/Private Branch Exchange)
which is now used as an exhibition space, and the Garage and Store C4/131. To their
north is a large concrete floor area, which marks the site of a First World War Hangar,
this was demolished between 1948 and 1957 and replaced by a Store and Office C6/120
building, which too has subsequently been removed. The largest building demolished
in this area was AWRE’s brick Fire Station, Boiler House, First Aid and Offices 119
building, which fronted on to the main track. Its site may also still be traced as a concrete
slab. The last building in this area is a First World War, timber-framed Barracks C1/18
(Figure 18), that was used by AWRE as a Store, resulting in the insertion of double doors
into its eastern end. To its west the regular layout of concrete paths may mark the
position of other now, lost barrack, accommodation.
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10 - 2009