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caleydave.bsky.social
David Booth
@caleydave.bsky.social
130 followers 220 following 240 posts
Hobby Scottish Cold War Researcher.
Occasional Volunteer.
Edinburgh Based.
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caleydave.bsky.social
And to turn this into a 3-parter, as well as the WB1400 there was the WB1401 (The box with the Grill in the photo below).
It worked in exactly the same way and was a ruggedised version intended for locations that may have been Damp or Unheated such as Royal observer Posts.

#SirenSaturday
Board containing the various British Telecoms Boxes associated and required for the Warning Speech receivers. The WB1401 is the is the Box with the Grill in the lower centre left of the picture. Above the grill is a label listing its carrier number and below the grill there is one black knob for volume control and a black rubberised push button for testing the confidence tone can be heard. The above setup is on Display in its original location at the Arbroath Royal Observer Corps Post Museum.
November 22, 2025 at 11:33 AM
caleydave.bsky.social
Following on from last week, when the telephone hardware supporting the warning system was modernised in the 1980's the WB400A Speakers were replaced with the WB1400 like this one on display in "Cold War Scotland" exhibit @ntlmuseumsscot.bsky.social

#SirenSaturday
A WB1400 Speech Receiver on Display at the National Museums of Scotland Cold War Scotland exhibit. Two tone grey plastic, on the left is a speaker behind the grill and on the right is a Volume knob, A test switch and a white rectangle which would have had the identification number written on. Unlike the older WB400A the WB1400 unit was silent, regardless of volume, and would only make a sound when a message was recieved. The test button, when depressed, allowed for the "confidence tick" beeping to be heard to confirm it was working.
November 15, 2025 at 5:51 PM
caleydave.bsky.social
How did those responsible for manual sirens or those not on the remote control system know when to issue a warning?
The person would receive a verbal message. In the 50's this was done by telephone, in the 60's the police would send it to all "Receiver Carrier WB400A" in their area.

#SirenSaturday
WB400A Receiver Carrier consists of a red volume control and a speaker. When the volume was turned up this constantly bleeped with a confidence pip to indicate it was working. The pip was replaced with an alarm tone which indicated a message was about to be passed. This verbal warning message would then be spoken over the loud speaker.
November 8, 2025 at 2:39 PM
caleydave.bsky.social
#SirenSaturday

Today we have a Siren abandoned in situ. The metal frame would have been a roof to keep out the worst of the elements.

I have not yet been able to identify it's carrier planning number but if attached to the warning system it would be Stirling carrier Area, 300/xx.
Taken from the bridge over the railway on Springbank road, Stirling. The Siren is at the right-hand end of the building, tucked between the end of the roof and the clearstory. Close up of the Siren taken from Nelson Place, Stirling. The Siren is tucked between the end of the roof and the clearstory. The Metal from around the siren was likely once some sort of cover to keep the weather off.
November 1, 2025 at 10:36 AM
caleydave.bsky.social
61 Years (and a few days) since the Royal Observer Corps 24 Group Bunker at RAF Turnhouse, #Edinburgh was Officially Opened.

Picture of the Building (now demolished) here: www.trove.scot/image/2657763

This bunker was originally identical to @28group.bsky.social (28 Group was later extended).
ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS HEADQUARTERS NO 24 GROUP EDINBURGH OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY BY THE RIGHT HONOURABLE DUNCAN M. WEATHERSTONE, MC., TD. THE LORD PROVOST 0F THE CITY OF EDINBURGH ON SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER 1964 PROGRAMME 15.00 Arrival of the Lord Provost, who will be received by Observer Commander G. B. Scott, Commandant No 24 Group (Edinburgh) Royal Observer Corps and introduced to the Commandant Royal Observer Corps, Air Commodore J. H. Gresswell, CBE., DS0., DFC., and Commandant, Scottish Area Royal Observer Corps, Observer Captain J. R. L. Halley, D.L. Inspection of Guard of Honour 15.05 Introduction to Officers of No. 24 Group 15.10 Introduction of Guests to the Lord Provost 15.15 Inspection of Group Headquarters, where an exercise in the plotting of Nuclear Burst, and the monitoring of Fall-out will be in progress. 15.45 Official Opening Ceremony - Welcome and Introduction Observer Commander G. B. Scott Opening Address Lord Provost of City of Edinburgh Response Commandant, ROC Thanking Lord Provost and Commandant ROC Observer Commander G. B. Scott 16.10 approx, Officers and Guests adjourn to Officers' Mess for Refreshments 17.00 Dispersal
October 28, 2025 at 4:51 PM
caleydave.bsky.social
#SirenSaturday

Located at what was once the conveniences at the Tram Terminus.

Police Box 25 'A', Liberton Gardens, Edinburgh.

This was given the Carrier planning number 254/79 in the early 1960's.

#EdinburghPoliceBox
The rear of the Liberton Gardens police box, picture taken from the path into the park. Painted light blue/grey the box is in good condition bar a bit of rust starting to show through the roof. In addition to the Siren plate and base both wire for the siren and heater are intact. The front of the Liberton Gardens police box, picture taken from the road. Painted light blue/grey the box is in good condition bar a bit of rust starting to show through the roof. There is both a Siren plate and base intact.
October 25, 2025 at 12:01 PM
caleydave.bsky.social
#SirenSaturday

Sporting a Police call light, fairy lights and Siren Mounting plate Repurposed as a Gnome Observation Deck.

Police Box 20 'D', Dalkeith Street, Edinburgh. (Joppa)

This was given Carrier planning number 254/103 in the early 1960's.

#EdinburghPoliceBox
A well looked after Blue painted Edinburgh Police Box. The First aid box and Phone doors have basic symbols representing which is which painted in black. There is a complete Police Call light on the roof and a siren plate. The Roof is decorated with a string of fairly lights and there is a Gnome placed on top of the Siren Mounting plate. Rear of Police Box, which backs on to a triangle of Grass between Dalkeith Street and Morton Street. The remains of the Siren power and heater cables can be seen on the back on the box.
October 18, 2025 at 3:41 PM
caleydave.bsky.social
Look what has come in the post!

My thanks to @coldwarpod.bsky.social for running the giveaway alongside the publisher.

After the Interview with the Author, Fraser McCallum, I am looking forward to reading the book.
Picture of myself posing with my copy of "Cold War Britain" by Fraser McCallum. Trying to be arty. My competition win copy of "Cold War Britain" by Fraser McCallum. It is propped up by a British "Meter Radiac Survey No2" (early cold war British radiation meter). Propped against the book is the "Cold War Conversations" coaster. All 3 items are placed on top of a reprint of a Russian Cold War Map of Edinburgh from "The Red Atlas".
October 15, 2025 at 1:37 PM
caleydave.bsky.social
The pre-nursing college was what had thrown me. There are some good histories of the college out there but little on the Annex.

Would it surprise you to learn that my interest was a Siren 😁
Proposal to relocate an Air Raid Siren in 1972 from the Dean Village Police Box to the Roof of the Telford College Annex. Source: National Records of Scotland HH51/399
October 13, 2025 at 9:59 AM
caleydave.bsky.social
#SirenSaturday #Dundee

Here is a zoomed crop of the picture
(With all credit to Dundee City Archives)

Here we can see a Pole mounted Siren on the Traffic island in the middle of the Junction.

Today the Road has been completely remodelled and no evidence remains.
A Pole mounted Siren located on a traffic Island on the junction of Riverside Drive and Perth Road in Dundee. Zoomed in Crop of the following picture: Date: c.1975 Ref: DCC-BW049-16 All credit to Dundee City Archives.
October 11, 2025 at 10:11 AM
caleydave.bsky.social
The artwork, "Sprint of Independence" and "Lady Persevere", was painted by Stewart Bremner.

stewartbremner.co.uk/branding-misc

#EdinburghPoliceBox
#SirenSaturday
The Beautifully painted "Leith Walk Pollis Box", a title painted above the door into the box. Artwork is by Stewart Bremner, I believe this side is "Spirit of Independence" Seen here from the front left side. It is primarily painted turquoise with black highlights on the base, side panels, cornice, roof and Siren Plate. The Police call light and Flat top band are painted white. The Beautifully painted "Leith Walk Pollis Box", a title painted above the door into the box. Artwork is by Stewart Bremner, I believe this side is "Lady Persevere", a reference to the Leith Coat of Arms. Seen here from the front left side. It is primarily painted turquoise with black highlights on the base, side panels, cornice, roof and Siren Plate. The Police call light and Flat top band are painted white.
October 4, 2025 at 9:04 AM
caleydave.bsky.social
The Box was moved from the Albert Street Jn on 19th May 1979 according to the @thecockburn.bsky.social website.

www.cockburnassociation.org.uk/openedinburg...

On the Rear of the box we can see the remains of the cables going to the Siren and Heaters.

#EdinburghPoliceBox
#SirenSaturday
Rear of the Police box is painted all over black, here we can see the remains of the cables going to the Siren and the SIren Heaters.
October 4, 2025 at 8:59 AM
caleydave.bsky.social
#SirenSaturday

Today we have the well known and loved pop-up space "Leith Walk Polis Box", but it was originally located around the corner:

Police Box 10 'D', Albert Street, Leith.

This was given Carrier planning number 254/73 in the early 1960's.

www.leithwalkpolicebox.com

#EdinburghPoliceBox
The Beautifully painted "Leith Walk Pollis Box", a title painted above the door into the box. Artwork is by Stewart Bremner, I believe this side is "Spirit of Independence" Seen here from the front left side. It is primarily painted turquoise with black highlights on the base, side panels, cornice, roof and Siren Plate. The Police call light and Flat top band are painted white. The Beautifully painted "Leith Walk Pollis Box", a title painted above the door into the box. Artwork is by Stewart Bremner, I believe this side is "Lady Persevere", a reference to the Leith Coat of Arms. Seen here from the front left side. It is primarily painted turquoise with black highlights on the base, side panels, cornice, roof and Siren Plate. The Police call light and Flat top band are painted white.
October 4, 2025 at 8:54 AM
caleydave.bsky.social
The problem with taking Edinburgh for granted, why are all the tourists taking pictures of a seagull?

Can't possibly be the view, I see that every other day.
A seagull standing on Queen Victoria's head. National Galleries, Edinburgh.
October 3, 2025 at 9:34 AM
caleydave.bsky.social
Control panel from RAF Leuchars to sound their local sirens. Currently on display at the National Museum of Scotland on their Cold War Scotland Exhibition.

#SirenSaturday
Control panel from RAF Leuchars to sound their local sirens. Currently on display at the National Museum of Scotland on their Cold War Scotland Exhibition.
September 27, 2025 at 12:21 PM
caleydave.bsky.social
I am at the National Museum of Scotland today, and whilst I am not sure if I will get the time to attend the exhibit, it is an excuse for a reminder about the Cold War Scotland Exhibition.
Cold war Scotland Exhibition, free and on untill January 4th 2026
September 24, 2025 at 8:53 AM
caleydave.bsky.social
To overcome using too many phone lines we can introduce "Intermediate Controls".
The Intermediate Control works the same as the Main Control but can repeat the Input signal from the Main Control.

Now we can add more sirens without using to many lines between exchanges.

#SirenSaturday
Map showing the "System E" Main Control centre located at Mortonhall Civil Defence Control Centre, Intermediate Control Centre at Gilmerton School, FAIrmilehead, MORningside and LIBerton Telephone exchanges and nine Sirens. The Sirens are on Police Boxes at Fairmilehead Crossroads, Braid hills, Blackford hill, Morningside, Gilmerton Crossroads, kaimes Crossroads, Liberton Gardens & Kingston Clinic. In addition there is a Siren on a building at Hunters Tryst. Two Telephone lines lead from the main control centre via FAI Telephone exchange to two Sirens. Three Telephone lines from the main control centre via FAI Telephone exchange before being sent to MOR Telephone exchange and on to three Sirens. One Telephone line leads from the main control centre via FAI Telephone exchange before being sent to LIB Telephone exchange and on to the Intermediate Control. Four Telephone lines lead from the intermediate control centre via LIB Telephone exchange to four Sirens. Map data from OpenStreetMaps Map Icons by David Booth Reference for locations NRS HH51/278
September 20, 2025 at 4:22 PM
caleydave.bsky.social
Exact routing is yet to be determine but the following allows us to explore the limitations of System E.

As each Siren needs a telephone line back to the Control centre this quickly becomes unwieldy and expensive.
As the next set of Sirens are in a new telephone exchange area we tie up trunk lines.
Map showing the "System E" Main Control centre located at Mortonhall Civil Defence Control Centre, FAIrmilehead & MORningside Telephone exchanges and five Sirens. The Sirens are police Boxs at Fairmilehead Crossroads, Braid hills, Blackford hill and Morningside in addition to one on a building at Hunters Tryst. Two Telephone lines lead from the control centre via FAI Telephone exchange to two Sirens. Three Telephone lines from the control centre via FAI Telephone exchange before being sent to MOR Telephone exchange and on to three Sirens. Map data from OpenStreetMaps Map Icons by David Booth Reference for locations NRS HH51/278
September 20, 2025 at 4:07 PM
caleydave.bsky.social
Under "System E" the Sirens were sounded from the "Main Control" which was located in the Edinburgh City Civil Defence Centre at Mortonhall Quarry.
Each siren Controlled under System E required a dedicated telephone line from the Control to the Siren Via the local Telephone Exchange.
Map showing the "System E" Main Control centre located at Mortonhall Civil Defence Control Centre, FAIrmile Head Telephone exchange and two SIrens, one on a police Box at Fairmile Crossroads and one on a building at Hunters Tryst. Two Telephone lines lead from the control centre via the Telephone exchange to the two Sirens. Map data from OpenStreetMaps Map Icons by David Booth Reference for locations NRS HH51/278
September 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
caleydave.bsky.social
#SirenSaturday

Another converted Police Box. This retains it's Siren mounting plate.

Police Box 15 'B', The Mound, Edinburgh.

This was given Carrier planning number 254/6 in the early 1960's.

#EdinburghPoliceBox
Rear of box, adorned with Adverts. The Siren plate is still in situ. Front view of Police Box.
September 13, 2025 at 4:58 PM
caleydave.bsky.social
If you squint the setup almost looks professional.
After recently winning some documentation on eBay I spent yesterday evening photographing the contents.
The folder in the picture contained very early procedures used by the UK warning and Monitoring Organisation.
Photographing Documents from my personal collection. Today this was folder containing documents from the "Air Raid Warning Training School" dating from between 1959-61.
September 11, 2025 at 11:53 AM
caleydave.bsky.social
#SirenSaturday

The "Leaf & Bean Cafe", A Nice stop for a drink before tackling Blackford Hill.

Police Box 43 'A', Charterhall Road, Edinburgh.

This was given Carrier planning number 254/82 in the early 1960's.

#EdinburghPoliceBox
The Siren Mount and Base can be seen on top in this photo. One of the Cables to the Siren can also be seen leading up to where the Siren would have been. This box has been opened as the "Leaf and Bean Cafe" serving Coffee and cakes. Siren Mount and Base just visible behind the trees. This box has been opened as the "Leaf and Bean Cafe" serving Coffee and cakes.
September 6, 2025 at 9:41 AM
caleydave.bsky.social
As it is #MerchantNavyDay I though I would share some snippets from a booklet in my personal #ColdWar Archive.

Published in 1961 this proposed measures which could be retrofitted/built into ships to improve their chances of surviving Radioactive contamination.

#MerchantNavy
Front Cover of Booklet, text reads: "BR 1805 DEFENCE OF MERCHANT SHIPPING Ship Owners' Handbook Memorandum No.17 ABC Defence of Merchant Ships 1961 (Agreed by the general council of British Shipping" A Diagram of a "Undressing Room & Cleansing Station" along with text description. This was proposed to be included in new build ships for use by crews traversing between the external decks, which could be contaminated with Radiation, and the interior of the ship. A diagram of a "Typical A.B.C. Plan for a coaster" (A.B.C. is Atomic, Biological or Chemical). The plan denotes areas which are to be locked down and areas which are to be formed into protected areas for the crew.
September 3, 2025 at 7:32 PM
caleydave.bsky.social
This was eventually replaced with a more standard Pole Mount.

In the Early 1960's this gained the Carrier Planning number 254/63.

The Cabinet and Pole, with Siren removed, remained in place until about 10 years ago when the Lower Granton, Trinity Crescent & Trinity Road junction was realigned.
Screenshot from Google maps showing the Cabinet and Pole for the Siren at Trinity Crescent still in extent as late as 2012
August 30, 2025 at 3:25 PM
caleydave.bsky.social
#SirenSaturday

A worried policeman receives an attack warning over the Carrier Control Point and sounds the Sirens from the built in remote control panel.

From a 1976 booklet on the "United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation" in my personal collection.
Text reads "0958 Enemy attack warning received by 250 carrier control points in major police stations. Police sound sirens - warning public to take cover. Every second is vital." Text reads "0957hr Flyingdales, Yorkshire: radar detects an attack on this country. The United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation acts immediately. It's job is to warn the public."
August 23, 2025 at 3:35 PM