SOE's Laboratory for special devices

This was established in 1939 and given the title Aston House Station X11 with Arthur Langley as its Commanding Officer.

Aston house was situated in the village of Aston Hertfordshire, it was as my father stated a very grand one, but by the time father worked there its grandest days were numbered.  But far from being a sleepy old house, if there was a ghost at Aston it had a very rude awakening.  The bumps and bangs were not made by a ghost, but those that worked within its walls.

To hear my fathers introduction and signing of the
 Official Secrets Act
 Introduction

One of the most significant bits of work that father did at Aston was to assist Sir Robin Bailey with his "Bailey bridge" built using lollypop sticks, balsa and a lot of glue. It was only a model not the real thing and it hung in the laboratory window in Aston till the end of the War.

Bailey Bridge Click to enlarge

A book has been published regarding Aston House and a link can be found in the links page on this site

Some of the most used gadgets by SOE were invented here, and existing ones modified, the main one being the Time Pencil and of course the limpet mine.