Fremantle Fortress - Leighton Battery WW2 Coastal Defence Facilities,1941/1947- Engineering Heritage Marker Mosman Park, Western Australia, Australia
By dezzabills on 26-Feb-17. Waypoint GA9937

This nomination should be read in conjunction with the successful nomination submitted in 2010 for engineering heritage recognition of Fremantle Fortress – Rottnest Island WW2 Coastal Defence Facilities. An Engineering Heritage National Landmark award was made on that occasion.

The construction of the extensive Rottnest Island coastal defence facilities commenced in 1935 and the 9.2 inch guns at Oliver Hill and the 6 inch guns at Bickley Point became operational by the end of 1938. The Leighton Battery facility at Buckland Hill, Mosman Park, a few kms north of Fremantle, was the most extensive of the mainland coastal defence facilities completed during the early 1940s. Two 6 inch coastal artillery guns at Leighton became operational in February 1943.

The battery took over from the Arthur Head (Fremantle) battery the role of an Examination Battery, keeping a lookout for ships arriving in Gage Roads. A battery of four 3.7 inch anti-aircraft guns was also installed at Buckland Hill in late 1941. In 1944 the threat of enemy air attack in lieu of naval attack prompted the decision to install three 5.25 inch dual purpose coastal artillery/antiaircraft guns and they became operational at Leighton in 1947.

If the nomination is successful it is proposed to design, manufacture and install at the battery site an interpretation panel describing the complete Fremantle Fortress World War 2 Coastal Defence Facilities. Approval has been given for this initiative by the Managing Owner, The Town of Mosman Park, and the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Society WA (Inc). The latter organisation provides volunteer guides for public tours of the Leighton Battery military museum.

More information about this site can be found at:'

https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/portal/heritage/fremantle-fortress-leighton-battery-ww2-coastal-defence-facilities19411947

To log a find you must include a photo of yourself or your gps with the plaque.

The Battery is open every Sunday between 10AM and 3PM where you do a tour of the guns.