Worlaby Patrol

The OB is situated on private land and is built into the slope of a disused marl pit located near the Worlaby St Clement’s church. CART visited the OB site with John Andrew and Dennis Holloway in 2011 in order to assess condition, take measurements and photographic records.

This is one of 15 Lincolnshire OBs that were built by John Sheffield of Scunthorpe with Royal Engineers labouring. It was constructed from prefabricated concrete panels that were bolted together. Breezeblocks were used for building end walls, ammo store and entrance and exit passages. The entrance passage, main chamber, ammunition store, toilet cubicle and emergency exit passage all are well ventilated and in excellent condition. Paving slabs cover the floors.

The structure was accessed through a breezeblock passageway, the opening of which was built into the upper slope of the disused marl pit. Presumably the opening would originally have been secured by a well-camouflaged, centrally pivoted hatch that would not have required a counterweight due to both ends being evenly balanced.

The short entrance passage [0.60 x 1.40m] leads into the main chamber [3.50 L x 2.30 W x 2.10m H] which has a water pipe coming through the wall near the rear doorway. This pipe connects with the zinc water tank above. The water tank [0.60 W x 1.80 L x 0.60m deep] is situated outside the structure at about roof level height, immediately above the east side of the main chamber. The tank would once have been covered with corrugated sheeting and camouflaged.

The doorway at the main chamber’s rear end gives access to an ammunition store [1.80 L x 1.20m W]. It was built from breezeblocks and has a roof constructed from corrugated sheeting.

A 6m long exit passage turns off at right angles, leading past a toilet cubicle that has been integrated into it. The toilet cubicle [0.80 x 0.60m] is located diagonally across from the ammunition store.

The emergency exit passage has breezeblock walls, and a concreted floor and roof. It leads downwards via several steps with its floor being about 2.20m below ground level at its end.

A concrete block on the floor and one sturdy steel rung set across a corner [still in situ] would have provided easy and quick exit.

The exit opening [0.70 x 0.80m] would once have been secured by a well-camouflaged drop and slide hatch.