Leighton Battery Heritage Site, Buckland Hill

Thanks Army Museum of Western Australia for the post of Leighton Battery Heritage Site, Buckland Hill War tunnels. Great summary of our history below 🔻

If you would like to learn more, come down and take one of our every Sunday from 10am - 3pm at the Buckland Hill site.

More info on our page and website. ▶️ http://www.artillerywa.org.au/raahs/leighton.htm

Leighton Battery at Buckland Hill, Mosman Park, Western Australia, was part of the Coastal defences of Australia during World War II and the Fremantle Fortress, protecting Fremantle Harbour.

The battery initially consisted of two 6-inch Mk VII naval guns, operational from February 1943. The two guns were removed in 1945 and replaced by three 5.25 inch dual-purpose coastal artillery/antiaircraft guns. While it was envisioned to have all major ports in Australia protected by these types of guns, the Leighton Battery became the only one ever operational. The battery was dismantled and the equipment disposed of for scrap in 1963.

The battery site was added to the Western Australian State Register of Heritage Places in August 1999 and was awarded an Engineering Heritage National Marker in November 2014. While some above-ground installations have been restored, underground structures consisting of underground tunnels, rooms, observation posts, and semi-buried command posts are considered outstanding examples of technical achievement.

This photo was taken in 1943.

RECENT HISTORY 💡

The military involvement came about in the early 1900s when defence facilities were built at North Fremantle and on the south side of the harbour at Arthur Head. Buckland Hill made a first class observation point for the gun batteries.

During the Great War, the Battery Observation Post also served as the Port War Signal Station, a naval facility used to signal vessels leaving and entering Gage Roads.

Come check us out this weekend to learn more! with tours operating EVERY SUNDAY @ 10am - 3pm at our Leighton Battery Heritage Site, Buckland Hill.

EARLY HISTORY 📚

Buckland Hill, named by Captain Stirling after William Buckland, FRS, a reader in Geology at Oxford University and later Dean of Westminster, is the last remaining peak of seven hills in the area.

It is one of the highest points in the Perth Metropolitan area. The area around Buckland Hill was extensively quarried in the early days of colonisation for building limestone.

The Leighton Battery Heritage Site is in fact just west of the feature. It is thought that Willem de Vlaming, the early Dutch navigator landed close by this feature in 1697 and climbed the hill to ascertain what lay beyond it and in doing so noted the Swan River, which he named.

Come discover the historic world war tunnels and defence guns at Leighton Battery Heritage Site, Buckland Hill. With tours running every Sunday from 10am - 3pm.

The battery, which became known as the Leighton 6 inch Battery, was commissioned in February 1943. Barracks for the personnel, two coast defence searchlights and other associated facilities were built to serve the battery. Prior to the 6-inch battery moving to Buckland Hill, a 3.7-inch anti aircraft battery had been deployed near what is today the main entrance to the residential estate.

Thanks to Destination WA for the video, but it's best to come see for yourself. Come and join us to discover one of WA's best historical sites.

Destination WA - Leighton Battery WW2 Tunnel Tour Carmen goes underground into the Leighton Battery Tunnels, tunnels that were made to defend the Western Coastline from potential invasions.

Welcome to the Leighton Battery Heritage Site, Buckland Hill page, where you can find information about our historial site, tours and future events.

Please give us a like, and a follow to stay in touch with our site.

Tours are held every Sunday, from 10am - 3pm at Buckland Hill, Mosman Park.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.artillerywa.org.au/raahs/history.htm