Memories of the Thorpeness Radar Station with special thanks to Charmian Elliott

This summer we received a photograph showing Thorpeness Radar Station. It shows Charmian’s father, who worked for the GPO and was seconded to the Radar station. Charmian kindly gave an interview about her father’s time in Thorpeness, and the Radar Station.

​During World War II, the Radar Station stood on the cliff at the end of North End Avenue. As the image shows, it was next to the now demolished Red House. It was one of a series known as Chain Home Extra Low (CHEL.) The aim was to use a sharper beam to detect fast low-flying fighter bomber aircraft that attacked largely non-military targets such as seaside towns with coastal defences. They continuously developed the technology thought the wat to counter the evolving threats, typically at an Air Ministry Experimental Station (AMES.)

​In Thorpeness the installation included the install of a 200-foot AMES Tower. By late May 1943, the tower was almost compete just waiting the addition of fittings and finishings such as ladder safety hoops, obstruction light and lighting conductors. This design image, right, shows it topped with a pointed lightning arrestor alongside the microwave dish antenna.
By July 1943 Nissen Huts were built and Thorpeness joined the CHEL network. Charmaine recollected underground bunkers being built as part of the station, one of which lay to the West towards toe allotments. From further research I learnt that it is believed these bunkers were used to house explosives. Across the common there were interconnecting channels linking two pillboxes one of which stands today to the North on the walk towards Sizewell.