Wootton Hill Outstation

Royal Signals Sergeant Alf Ellis visited the site on 9 May 1942 to dig a hole for a box to contain the set. This was an early station type where the wireless equipment was simply disguised in an underground box. On 11 and 12 May he returned to test the set operating to both Omagh and Byfield zero stations. On 14 May he was even able to receive Osterley Zero. He adjusted the aerial to Byfield, suggesting there were at least two aerials at the site.

Alf Ellis refers to the location as Wootton Hill. This no longer appears on the map, but in 1942 was the name of a property subsequently known as Wootton Hall. It is a large house in substantial grounds with numerous large trees and is located, as a its name suggested, on a high point in area. Indeed the ground at this point was higher than the top of the nearby New Milton water tower. Wootton Hill had belonged to John Harman, a retired farmer, but in 1940 he had died and his wife moved out, leaving the property unoccupied. The contents were sold in 1941. This may be why the wireless was sited there, where no owner could be blamed if the set was discovered.

However there were problems with the box design and by 3 Jun 1942 it was flooded. On 14 Jun it was dry again, the water having drained out. Arriving on 16 Jul he found men working and was not able to check it.

Arthur Gabbitas subsequently recorded that the wireless was concealed in a wood shed. It may be that the box continued to flood meaning the site was altered.