Belchers Battery, Kennedy Town [1890-1956]

Year completed is: Accurate
Condition at last visit: Demolished
Date of last visit: Apr-1998
Ref: ROB-00104
Other: Upper and Lower Sections

Belchers Lower Bty.

Timeline:

• 1884: Construction commenced in October, Estimated cost £21,500.  (WO 78/3927)
• 1890: Construction completed in October, actual cost £22,883.   (WO 78/3927)
• 1890: Initial Armament: 3 x 6" BL guns on HP Mk V mountings, 2 x 6 pdr QF guns. (WO 78/3927).
• 1897: 3 x 3 pdr QF guns to be added, the 6 pdrs and 3 pdrs to be spread between Lower and Upper Btys. (CAB 11/57).
• 1901: Revision to take 2 x 6" BL Mk VII guns. (WO 78/5350).
• 1904: 3 x 6" BL, 1 x 6 pdr still mounted. (CAB 11/57).
• 1904: Rework commenced in July, estimated cost £2,100.  (WO 78/5350).
• 1905: Work completed in July, actual cost £1,944.  (WO 78/5350).
• 1905: Armament: 2 x 6" BL Mk VII guns.  (WO 78/5350).
• 1911: 2 x 6" BL Mk VII guns.  (WO 78/5331).
• 1917: 2 x 6" BL Mk VII guns.  (CAB 11/58).
• 1936: 2 x 6" BL Mk VII guns.  (ADM 116/3490).
• 1936: Recommended 2 x 6" BL guns be removed for new Bty, 2 x 4.7" QF guns to be emplaced. (No reference document).
• 1939: 2 x 6" to be dismounted. (WO 106/2370).
• 1939: 6" guns and mountings had been removed to Collinson Bty. (No reference document).
• 1941: 2 x 4.7" QF guns from Lye Mun West Bty mounted by July.  (WO 106/2379).
• 1941: The Bty was destroyed by bombing and shellfire in December.  (WO 172/1687).
• 1945: No guns remaining.  (WO 78/750A).
• 1956: Land transferred to Government in December.  (WO 78/6009). Remains demolished for a housing estate.

Belchers Upper Bty.

Timeline:

• 1884: Construction commenced in October, estimated cost £20,000.  (WO 78/4036).
• 1890: Construction completed in October, actual cost £22,283.  (WO 78/4036).
• 1890: Initial Armament: 1 x 10" 32 ton BL gun on EOC Barbette mounting, 1 x 6" BL Mk V gun on Hydro Pneumatic Disappearing Carriage.  (WO 78/4036).
• 1897: 2 x 6 pdr QF guns and 3 x 3 pdr QF guns spread between Upper and Lower Btys.  (CAB 11/57).
• 1903: Revision of 6" BL gun position to take a 12 pdr QF gun.  (WO 78/5350).
• 190?: Construction commenced ????, estimated cost £200.  (WO 78/5350).
• 190?: Construction completed ????, actual cost £197.  (WO 78/5350).
• 1905: Revision of the 10" BL gun to take a new mounting. Construction commenced in September, estimated cost £2,035.  (WO 78/5350).
• 1906: Construction completed in October, actual cost £1,619.  (WO 78/5350).
• 1906: Armament: 1 x 10" BL gun, 1 x 12 pdr QF gun.  (WO 78/5350).
• 1911: Revision of the 10" BL gun to take a 6" BL Mk VII gun.  (WO 78/3967).
• 1911: The 10" BL gun still mounted, to remain until guns were mounted at the new Mt Davis Bty.  (CAB 11/58).
• 1912: Revision of 10" BL gun position to take a 6" BL Mk VII gun. Construction commenced in August, estimated cost £530.  (WO 78/5350).
• 1913: Construction completed in February, actual cost £439.  (WO 78/5350).
• 1913: Armament 1 x 6" BL Mk VII gun, 1 x 12 pdr QF gun.  (WO 78/5350).
• 1915: 1 x 6" BL gun mounted, 1 x 12 pdr QF gun to be removed.  (WO 32/5316).
• 1917: 1 x 6" BL Mk VII gun.  (CAB 11/58).
• 1921: 1 x 6" BL Mk VII gun.  (CAB 11/58).
• 1936: 1 x 6" BL Mk VII gun.  (ADM 116/3490).
• 1941: 1 x 6" BL gun.  (WO 106/2379).
• 1941: In action to destroy lighters lying against Kowloon wharves 13th December. Destroyed during the surrender on 25th December.  (WO 172/1687).
• 1945: Gun had been removed.  (WO 78/750A).
• 1956: Land transferred to Government in December.  (WO 78/6009). Remains demolished for a housing estate.

 For a background to these notes, and a glossary of terms used, please see: http://gwulo.com/node/24630