The ROC Archive (Collection Reference 36M96)
It is the wish of the Trustees to include documentation covering every Group and every aspect of ROC service if it can be acquired.
The ROC Archive is held in the Hampshire County Record Office, Sussex Street, Winchester, Hants SO23 8TH on behalf of the ROC Museum Trust. Documents in the Archive are on public request.
In addition the catalogue of the ROC Archive is available through the web online at http://calm.hants.gov.uk/DServeA/search.htm. The resulting search page can be used to search the entire holding of HCC Archives (or specifically the ROC archive by quoting the Collection Reference 36M96). Access to the catalogue is free.
Documents themselves are not available online. Access to documents has to be by personal visit to HRO Winchester and the website contains details necessary for making such a visit. It is possible to arrange photocopies of documents and Copy Order Forms are online with instructions.
Bear in mind that the Archive Group Numbers relate to original Group Numbers of 1920s and 1930s, as modified by successive reorganisations. When searching, the source of a document (ie Post, Group, Area or HQ ROC) will affect its place in the Archive.
The Museum has only been able to include documents which have been donated and the fact that there may not be anything from your own Group merely reflects that documents have not been given/lent to us. Perhaps you can help us by donating information yourself.
The Catalogue of the ROC Archive contains ....
Section A: HQ/General Issue.
A1 Policy; A2 Organisation; A3 Regulations; A4 Operation Instructions/Procedures/Standard Operating Procedures; A5 Other instructions/procedures; A6 Guides/Handbooks; A7 Training; A8 Aircraft Recognition; A9 Journals; A10 Testing; A11 Maps, Plans and Drawings; A12 Publicity: A13 Equipment; A14 Pro-Formas; A15 Miscellaneous.
Section B: Area Records.
B1 Western Area, 1937 – 1953; B2 Southern Area, 1937 – 1953; B3 Southern Area, 1953 – 1991; B4 Metropolitan Area, 1953 – 1991; B5 Western Area, 1953 – 1991.
Section C: Group Records
C1 1 Group Maidstone; C2 2 Group Horsham; C3 3 Group Winchester; C4 4 Group Oxford; C5 5 Group Coventry; C6 6 Group Derby (no records); C7 7 Group Manchester (no records); C8 8 Group Leeds (no records); C9 9 Group York (no records); C10 10 Group – York (no records); C11 11 Group Lincoln; C12 12 Group Bedford; C13 not used; C14 14 Group Bury St Edmunds; C15 15 Group Cambridge; C16 16 Group Norwich; C17 17 Group Watford; C18 18 Group Colchester; C19 19 Group Bromley; C20 20 Group Truro (no records); C21 21Group Exeter; C22 22 Group Yeovil; C23 23 Group Bristol; C24 24 Group Gloucester; C25 25 Group Cardiff; C26 26 Group Wrexham; C27 27 Group Shrewsbury; C28a 28.1 Group Carmarthen; C28b 28.2 Group Caernarvon (no records); C29 29 Group Lancaster (no records); C30 30 Group Durham; C31 31 Group Galashiels; C32 32 Group Carlisle; C33 33 Group Ayr (no records); C34 34 Group Glasgow; C35 35 Group Oban (no records); C36 36 Group Dunfermline; C37 37 Group Dundee; C38 38 Group Aberdeen; C39 39 Group Inverness (no records); C40 40 Group Portree (no records); C41 41 Group Belfast (31 Group from 1953); C42 42 Group Preston (21 Group from 1962).
Section D: Post Records
D2 14 Group Winchester Posts, 1953 – 1991. D2/1 Devizes, Wilts; D2/2 Bratton, Wilts; D2/3 Chippenham, Wilts; D2/4 Newbury, Berks; D2/5 Great Bedwyn, Wilts; D2/6 Avebury, Wilts; D2/7 Streatley, Berks; D2/8 Kidmore End/Shiplake, Oxon; D2/9 Bradfield, Berks; D2/10 Broadchalke, Wilts; D2/11 Wylye, Wilts; D2/12 Bodenham/Alderbury, Wilts; D2/13 Hurstbourne Tarrant; D2/14 Grateley; D2/15 Amesbury, Wilts; D2/16 Stratfield Turgis; D2/17 Kingsworthy; D2/18 Overton; D2/19 Fordingbridge; D2/20 Christchurch; D2/21 Broadstone/Witchampton, Dorset; D2/22 Botley; D2/23 Stone Point; D2/24 Lyndhurst; D2/25 Lockerley Green; D2/26 Freshwater, IOW; D2/27 Newport, IOW; D2/28 Niton, IOW; D2/29 Boscombe/New Milton; D2/30 Cheriton; D2/31 Hanley, Dorset; D2/32 Andover NRC (Nuclear Reporting Cell).
Section E: Charities, Clubs and Associations
E1 The Observers Association; E2 ROC Benevolent Fund; E3 Seaborne Association; E4 National Association of Spotters Clubs.
Section F: Miscellaneous
F1 Published Histories; F2 Articles/History Notes/Recollections; F3 Newscuttings; F4 Personal Records; F5 Memorabilia; F6 Other.
This catalogue is fairly comprehensive and should cover the subject matter of your interest. That is not to say the answer to your query will be there - we are continuously cataloguing new items but they may not yet be in the archive. If you are unsuccessful in your search we may still be able to help, so why not go to the Forum Page and send us your question. Alternatively, send an email to info@therocmuseum.org.uk and our Curator can then contact you by email or telephone if you give us your number.
