I wonder, too, Peter. However, most of the available publications that I have read did not refer to this aspect. It would appear that the repair and maintenance of airfields and their estates was their headline concern.
Despite some ranges being heavily used there is often little mention of them on the day to day records. There is also evidence than some ranges were built under a self help scheme later in the war but there must have been some central assistance. This has now sparked an interest for me as it may be another angle to get range construction information - or not! I haven't checked TNA Discovery for Works Depot ORBs yet
Hope you have some luck with TNA Discovery. I hadn't ever thought that AMWD would have kept these reports. Please let me know if you break the code...
The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example. Benjamin Disraeli.
Kidlington could have been at SP 482148 wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm note the location's proximity to the station sidings.
I have the 1945 RSP for Kidlington and it shows Site 4 as Works Repair Depot . A rail spur ran into the depot from the mainline. The main body of buildings was here between the canal on the west side and the mainline railway on the east side:
Albrighton is the one NW of Wolverhampton. One of my references has the location at SJ 796055, slap-bang in the middle of 9MU, RAF Cosford - I don't really go with that. However, another reference that I have goes with Albrighton, Kingswood. The area here looks more interesting, SJ 830031 wtp2.appspot.com/wheresthepath.htm . Also note the area just SW of this, SJ 826027. Google Earth rollback 1945 shows both areas (apologies for not knowing how to include the GE link).
Agreed it should be Alrbrighton Staffs as indicated in 'Works'. Scanning the area using post-war maps I think this is the likely site:
What a tricky one! The nearest station information that I have on my records associated with the site, is Bromley South (Southern Region). There looks as if there were slightly nearer stations to the site you indicate.
However, the phone number given for AMWD Addington was Springpark 5050. Springpark is an area of Croydon (administrative?) which takes in West Wickham to the east of that town. The site that you pinpoint is perilously close to West Wickham and, taking these points into consideration, I think that you're correct.
But, I remain puzzled as to the mentioned station - maybe there were better arrangments there for unloading (sidings, etc).
Oh for the RSP..
Just added - the SPRingpark telephone exchange area covered West Wickham. Further evidence.
The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example. Benjamin Disraeli.
I have tried to confirm using both maps and aerial photos as close to WW2 as possible. If the Perth site is correct then NCAP have an oblique from 1942 plus aerials from 1946, 1953, 1970, 1979 and we fall into Google Earth limits.
The Norfolk Explorer helped with the Norfolk locations using its 1946 but so far Gayton's location eludes me. Also the zoom on the Norfolk Explorer is a bit limited these days. I'll keep digging when I have a gap in my waking hours but if any of these can be confirmed that would be great.
No Amount Of Evidence Will Ever Persuade An Idiot (probably not Mark Twain)
The 1945/46 aerial photos on Norfolk Map Explorer website show a site layout which I would say IS the depot. Also, I had this location already bookmarked so got it from somewhere!
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