The House

Aerial photograph of the buildings which comprised HMS Mercury. In 1941, Leydene House and 100 acres had been occupied by the Royal Navy, whose Signal School in Portsmouth had suffered from heavy bombing. A Wardroom annex was constructed to the south of the Main House, known as Siberia Block. A large Nissen hut was completed in July 1943 and was used as a cinema, theatre and assembly hall, followed by other training facilities and accommodation.