Source:Souvenir Programme
THE ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS
Mobilised a few days before War broke out in 1939 the Observer Corps (as it was then) rapidly grew into an organisation which became literally the eyes and ears of the Royal Air Force.
The Observer Corps was an ancillary of the R.A.F. being operationally under Fighter Command. Its Posts covered the whole of Great Britain and N. Ireland and besides plotting and reporting the course of all hostile Raids it kept track of all friendly aircraft from the moment they left the ground until they landed again. It was the means of saving hundreds of aircraft in difficulty and thus the lives of their crews.
In 1942, H.M. the King conferred the title of Royal on the Corps in recognition of its work during the Battle of Britain.
The local Post was situated firstly in Kruger Hill, Wickersley, and later moved to a site off Sledgate Lane where a substantial and up-to-date Post was built.
The strength of the local Post was maintained at 21 members, and several of the original members were still serving when the Stand Down was given on May 12th 1945.
The number of hostile Raids plotted locally runs into hundreds with the two Sheffield Blitz nights of December 12th and 15th, 1940 and the V.1. Raid of Xmas Eve, 1944, standing out as special memories.
Mr. J. C. Goodliffe was Head Observer from September 1939 to April 1942, with Mr. F. C. Clarke as his Deputy. Major G. R. Simons following him from April 1942 to April 1943, with Mr. J. Oakes as Deputy. J. Oakes took over from April 1943 to the Stand Down with Mr. W. M. Gummer as Deputy.