Forts Rowner and Grange, Gosport

[Steve Brew]

While it is clear that the many units formed and based at Gosport between 1914 and 1918 were based at either Fort Rowner or Fort Grange, can anyone advise how the forts were actually utilised, please?

For example, were the forts used for administrative purposes only or were they also used for accommodation? Or was accommodation provided under canvas?

Is there a description or explanation in another unit's records, perhaps?

An added bonus would be if anyone has plans of the inside of the forts that shows their layout, if such plans even exist, please.

Thanks
Steve

[MikeMeech]

Originally Posted by Steve Brew

While it is clear that the many units formed and based at Gosport between 1914 and 1918 were based at either Fort Rowner or Fort Grange, can anyone advise how the forts were actually utilised, please?

For example, were the forts used for administrative purposes only or were they also used for accommodation? Or was accommodation provided under canvas?

Is there a description or explanation in another unit's records, perhaps?

An added bonus would be if anyone has plans of the inside of the forts that shows their layout, if such plans even exist, please.

Thanks
Steve

Hi

It should be noted that Forts Rowner and Grange were the same basic design as Fort Brockhurst (details of which are on Wikipedia including a link that has the basic plan). There is also a publication on 'Fort Brockhurst and the Gomer - Elson Forts' by David Moore as 'Solent Papers No. 6', this includes a plan of Fort Rowner but as at 1980 so has the added WW2 buildings included.
The Cross & Cockade International has Gosport in its airfield 'Gazetteer Part 9' from the Spring 2012 edition, this includes a small airfield plan including both forts and additional buildings.
'Action Stations 9 - Military airfields of the Central South and South-East' by Chris Ashworth, PSL 1985, page 125 mentions that the Special School of Flying used "...Fort Rowner as a mess and HQ. The student instructors lived in Fort Grange, ...". They had previously used a country house named 'Alverbank' as the No. 1 RS mess, they had moved out of "dungeon-like forts" but now moved back in! However, as the forts originally had accommodation for 11 officers and 300 NCOs and men there was probably a need for more 'officer' rooms. In some photos of Gosport Bell tents are visible, so presumably to accommodate at least some of the personnel. The aircraft sheds and other huts added between the forts would have provided some of the 'admin' offices as well.
I hope that is of some use.

Mike

[Steve Brew]

Thanks very much, Mike, that gives me a number of leads to chase. I appreciate the detailed reply.