Royal Observer Corps Plaque

Another very fine plaque that formed part of a small collection we have purchased, that we understand were displayed in a now defunct service club. The Royal Observer Corps (ROC) was a civil defence organisation intended for the visual detection, identification, tracking and reporting of aircraft over Great Britain. It operated in the United Kingdom between 29 October 1925 and 31 December 1995, after which the Corps' civilian volunteers were stood down. The ROC headquarters was at the historic RAF Bentley Priory

The Observer Corps was awarded the title 'Royal' by King George VI as thanks for services during the Battle of Britain. The badge of the Royal Observer Corps depicts a beacon lighter of Elizabethan times; these beacon lighters were recruited from the local population and were organised and paid by the County Sheriff, to care for and light the warning beacons in the event of approaching danger. He is surrounded by a laurel wreath, surmounted with a crown, and bearing the motto 'Forewarned is Forearmed'.

Post war, with the advent of the Cold War, the ROC continued in its primary role of aircraft recognition and reporting, and in 1955 was allocated the additional task of detecting and reporting nuclear explosions and associated fall-out. By 1965, thanks to advances in radar technology, most roles and responsibilities relating to aircraft had been withdrawn and the ROC assumed the role of field force for the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation, a role which the ROC continued until the early 1990s. With the cessation of the Cold War, the vast majority of the civilian spare-time volunteers were stood down on 30 September 1991, with the remainder ceasing operation in 1995. The closure of HQROC on 31 March 1996 marked the final disbandment of the ROC after over 70 years of service.

The oak shield measures 7" x5.75" (17.5 cm x15 cm) and the reverse carries a recessed plastic wall hanger stamped 'Made in Great Britain'. The plaque remains in bright original display condition.