during the second world war, gomersal had a number of public air raid shelters, with quite a few remaining in 2007 at birkenshaw roundabout park, gomersal first school, hill top. this was likely due to the semi-underground control bunker for the anti-aircraft guns in the west riding, protecting leeds, bradford, huddersfield and halifax. the bunker was in the grounds of oakroyd hall, making this a target for the german luftwaffe; oakroyd hall is now the headquarters of the west yorkshire fire and rescue service.