The Square Peg

[The Laird]

I am trying to find the location used for "Battersby Camp" - the barracks used in the Norman Wisdom comedy, "The Square Peg". It was filmed at Pinewood Studios in about 1958.



It has the appearance of a militia-type camp of WW2 vintage. This type of camp was common of the era and many survived until the end of National Service (c1961).



Any ideas?

[cookiesmini]

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Hi Laird.........

I have just registered and noticed your posting back in January of 2010. Like you, I'm trying {with no luck, even after having contacted Pinewood Studios and posting the same question on Sir Norman Wisdom's website} to find the location of Battersby Camp, as featured in The Square Peg. Did you ever have any luck in tracing down the location?

It looks too 'permanent' to be a film set and there are too many official looking buildings and notices {at the main gate} making me think it has to be an Army camp of some sort. A militia camp has been suggested. I can't find any listing of militia camps on the Internet, so have drawn a 'blank'. It is probably now a housing estate, but it would be nice to answer the question.......... where was it located.

Regards

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[The Laird]

Never have managed to find out. It is a WW2 militia camp and was still extant at the time of filming. Presumably it would be somewhere within striking distance of Pinewood Studios.

One of the nearest would have been Ranikhet Camp, Tilehurst, Reading which was constructed in about 1939 as an overspill camp for Brock Barracks. So this is a possible location as it was still there in 1957/58. It served at that time as a depot for the RAPC. It was demolished soon after this date and is now a housing estate.

[cookiesmini]

Hi again Laird

Just visited the site after a long time.......... well it seems a long time. Thanks for the feedback, it looks as if you and I will have to 'give up' on our search.

Of course there might just be someone out there who knows the answer...........

Nick

[tavistock]

One of the comments on the youtube video says "I attended schools in Hampton Wick not far from the Base. I was a frequent visitor to the Base" This also on the net "Throughout the war, Bushy Park housed a Royal Air Force camp and laboratory".

[Alan F]

I hate to break it to you, but the camp was a set on the backlot at Pinewood.
Elements of the background view from the main gate can be matched with scenes from the UFO episode Timelash, made more than ten years after The Square Peg, which unashamedly uses the backlot as its setting.

[cookiesmini]

Hi Alan....

Thanks for the information........ we can take the news! It is interesting that Pinewood's 'heritage' group couldn't tell me the location. Do you have a more detailed location and is it possible to visit the site without any arrangements?

ps Like your photo!!!

Regards

Nick

[Cooper S]

Hi Alan....

Thanks for the information........ we can take the news! It is interesting that Pinewood's 'heritage' group couldn't tell me the location. Do you have a more detailed location and is it possible to visit the site without any arrangements?

ps Like your photo!!!

Regards

Nick

The site of these shots seems to be roughly where Pinewood's J and K stage block is now located. I believe this is now used for TV productions. I'm pretty sure The Weakest Link was receorded there, so may be your best bet would be to try and find out if there are any shows being recorded with an audience and to try and get tickets. Members of the public aren't otherwise that welcome in the studio complex.