AA Battery Drumcross

Larger magazine building

A World War II anti-aircraft battery was located approximately one mile west of Bishopton, the site of a major munitions factory, ROF Bishopton. Site number GSG7 (early), S7 (later). Part of the Clyde AA Defences, the battery was known as Drumcross, or Shilton.

The battery was equipped with four emplacements, a command post, workshop and store, three magazines, a GL Radar mat to the west, and an accommodation camp to east, near the largest magazine. The battery is reported to have been armed with 4.5-inch guns, and the camp can be seen to have comprised some of some 40 huts and buildings in an RAF aerial photograph taken during construction in 1941.

Site visit 2007

A site visit in 2007 found the four emplacements, command post, workshop and store, and the three magazines to remain largely intact within a heavily overgrown area, strewn with rubbish. Attempts have been made to set fires within the buildings, but these have had little effect on the concrete structures. A concrete support pillar remains intact within the instrument pit, and would have mounted an optical range or height finder. A steel support pillar remains mounted on the floor of the workshop, however its purpose is unknown.

No evidence was found of the associated accommodation camp, or the GL Radar mat.

Site visit 2010

Following a visit to the area in January 2010, the site was reported to have been subject to extensive works, and largely covered by hardcore, leaving only two of the emplacements and two of the magazines evident.