The first building encountered when entering the grounds from the main road, just to the right of the main gate, is the Battery Observation Post; the shell of this is still intact. This was the nerve centre for the battery. It consisted of a twin storey building with a wide operational field of view, and contained all the equipment used to control the battery when in action or alert. The compliment of five, including the Battery Commander, operated the high precision range finders housed in the upper story and maintained communications with the gun and searchlight emplacements, etc. A large and very accurate 'Barr & Stroud' range finder was housed in the lower part of the building. The post was in communication with the guns and searchlight emplacements by phone and loudspeaker; signal indicator lights could also be used to convey certain instructions. Accommodation for the Battery Commander was sited in the top storey, and can be seen today bricked up at the rear of this level.

As with many of the other emplacements on the site today, the Battery Observation post is now fitted out with bench seats for people to sit and enjoy the view. After 60 years or so, however, vegetation growth has somewhat changed the outlook from what it would have originally been.

Click on images below to see larger versions

Go Back