Leighton Battery

Author

Town of Mosman Park

Place Number

03247

Location

Cnr Stirling Hwy & Boundary Rd Mosman Park

Location Details

INCLUDES: cpmplex of underground tunnels, rooms & observation post, semi buried command post, 2 x 6 inch gun emplacements, 2 x 5.25 inch gun emplacements (one buried), radar hut, access road, limestone retaining walls, and surrounding public open space

Other Name(s)

Buckland Hill Tunnels
Citizen Military Force Training Battery

Local Government

Mosman Park

Region

Metropolitan

Construction Date

Constructed from 1945, Constructed from 1942

Demolition Year

N/A

Statutory Heritage Listings

Type Status Date Documents
Heritage List Adopted 02 Sep 2014
State Register Registered 27 Aug 1999 HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument, HCWebsite.Listing+ListingDocument

Heritage Council Decisions and Deliberations

Type Status Date Documents
(no listings)

Other Heritage Listings and Surveys

Type Status Date Grading/Management
Category
Register of the National Estate Registered 22 Jun 1993
Classified by the National Trust Classified 13 May 1996
Aboriginal Heritage Sites Register Recorded
Municipal Inventory Adopted 24 Mar 1998 Category 1

Statement of Significance

The Leighton Battery was the only battery using 5.25inch dual role Coast Artillery/Air Defence weapons to come into service in Australia. It is now one of the only two 5.25inch battery locations remaining relatively intact int he world.

Physical Description

Located high on Buckland Hill, the Leighton Battery site is fairly unobtrusive as much of the construction is underground. A metal lookout platform, a gun, a gun placement and tunnel entrances are limestone retaining walls, and walking paths circle the hill. Vegetation is low scrub and grasses, mostly native but some introduced. The site looks over the Indian Ocean to Rottnest Island, to Fremantle Harbour, over many surrounding suburbs, to the obelisk on the east and beyond the to the Perth city skyline.

History

Constructed during World War 2 to improve defence of Fremantle Harbour. Originally had over 400 metres of tunnels linking ammunition magazines, a workshop, rest areas, an aid post and the observation/command post. Wartime records suggest that no rounds were ever fired in anger by this Battery. Guns were upgraded between 1945 and 1947. Site was used for training. Battery was disbanded in 1963 and all equipment including guns were sold for scrap. Site neglected until residential redevelopment in the mid 1980s. Site gradually restored since then. Opened as a museum on 29/11/1997

Integrity/Authenticity

Most of the original surface structures have been demolished. Some of the underground structures have been filled. Partially restored during 1980s and 1990s.

Condition

Good

References

Ref ID No Ref Name Ref Source Ref Date
Tuettemann, E Between River and Sea p. 197-9 1991
The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Society of Western Australia Leighton Battery Royal Australia Artillery
Australian Heritage Commission. Register of the National Estate Database Place Report
National Trust Assessment 1996

Other Reference Numbers

Ref Number Description
004 Municipal Inventory number

State Heritage Office library entries

Library Id Title Medium Year Of Publication
11922 Leighton Battery Interpretation plan Heritage Study {Other} 2015
11779 Buckland Hill Heritage Study {Cons'n Plan} 2020

Place Type

Historic Site

Uses

Epoch General Specific
Original Use MILITARY Fort or Gun Emplacement
Present Use EDUCATIONAL Museum
Other Use MILITARY Other
Present Use SOCIAL\RECREATIONAL Other

Architectural Styles

Style
Other Style

Construction Materials

Type General Specific
Wall BRICK Common Brick
Other CONCRETE Other Concrete
Other TIMBER Other Timber

Historic Themes

General Specific
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES World Wars & other wars
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Sport, recreation & entertainment
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Education & science
SOCIAL & CIVIC ACTIVITIES Community services & utilities

Creation Date

18 Sep 1992

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Approved

Last Update

01 Apr 2021

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.