Why the reservoir was built in 1943
Downhill from the Old Reservoir is an industrial estate which was built on site of the former Central Ordnance Depot Old Dalby. The reservoir building carries a date of 1943, and I wanted to see if there was a connection with the expansion of the depot during WW2. In the National Archives at Kew, there are the ‘war diaries’ of many of the fighting and support units of the army. They have not all be retained but, by good fortune, that for COD Old Dalby for 1943 is available. On my most recent visit, I read this file and found in May 1943 an observation on the difficulty of obtaining sufficient water for Fire Prevention. The writer added that water for domestic consumption had to be brought in daily by rail. It did, however, point to a project, nearing completion, for the bringing of water by pipeline from Leicester. The diary for June 1943 announces that the new supply is now in operation. The supply was sourced from the reservoir. The diary was written by Colonel RC Hiam, whose b...