Northumbrian Gunner

Wednesday, 13 May 2015

South Shields - Lawe (Park) Battery

South Shields - Lawe (Park) Battery

The Lawe (Park) Battery in South Shields was built in 1940 as an Emergency Battery for two 6-in guns and manned by the Royal Marines.

In March 1941 the Royal Marines were replaced by 348 Coast Battery of 508 (Tynemouth) Coast Regiment RA (TA) . Two 6-inch Mk XI/VI guns were moved from Frenchman's Battery, to the south, to equip the battery . For a time in 1941-3 the guns were removed, and only a searchlight remained, while new emplacements were constructed.

5.25 in Coastal / Air Defence Gun

In 1943 three 5.25-inch Anti-Aircraft/coast defence guns were installed. They had radar control, a horizontal range of 24,7000m and a rate of fire of 7-10 rounds per minute - probably the best all-round weapon ever provided for British coast gunners. This was to be the only dual purpose battery in the UK.

When the Coast Defence role ceased in 1951 the battery was handed over to Anti Aircraft Command and finally, in 1956, the battery was dismantled, and the site landscaped by South Shields Corporation.

Aerial photographs source: P. Bellamy Airfield Information Exchange

South Shields - Lawe
Aerial photograph showing traces of the battery

South Shields - Lawe
Aerial photograph with guns superimposed

Very little can be seen of the battery today

South Shields - Lawe Battery Then & Now

South Shields - Lawe Battery Now

Monday, 11 May 2015

South Shields - RNAS Seaplane Base

At low tide on Littlehaven Beach South Shields the remains of a ramp used for seaplanes during WW1 can be seen.

South Shields Littlehaven Beach seaplane ramp remains

In the summer of 1916 a seaplane base was established on Littlehaven Beach in South Shields at the entrance to the River Tyne. It's primary purpose was the maintenance of seaplanes and as a refuelling point between Killingwoth, Lincolnshire and bases in Scotland. There were some operational missions flown from the base.

RNAS South Shields Littlehaven Beach

The base consisted of five Type F seaplane sheds (each measuring 200 x 100 feet and covered an area of 21 acres. These faced onto a large apron, from which the slipway led into the mouth of the Tyne.

RNAS South Shields - Liitlehaven Beach

Flash Earth- Littlehaven Beach

South Shields - Littlehaven Beach aerial photographs

North East Aviation Research - South Shields Seaplane Station

RNAS South Shields - Liitlehaven Beach

Felixstow F2 Flying Boat RNAS South Shields

Great War Forum - South Shields Flyingboat ramp

It was active until May 1919 after which it became a storage facility before being officially closed in March 1920. The seaplane sheds were then dismantled and stored.

South Shields Littlehaven Beach - Then & Now

South Shields seaplane ramp remains

South Shields Littlehaven Beach

Friday, 1 May 2015

Beamish - Working Horses

Beamish working horses event included the 12th Lancers re-enactment group.

The 12th (Prince of Wales's Royal) Lancers mobilised in 1914 as part of 5th Cavalry Brigade. During the retreat from Mons, C Squadron led by Lieutenant-Colonel Wormald led a successful charge at Moy against a dismounted squadron of Prussian Dragoons. It was the last time the 12th Lancers charged with lances.

They served throughout World War One on the Western Front.

Battle Honours:
Mons, Retreat from Mons, Marne 1914, Aisne 1914, Messines 1914, Ypres 1914 '15,
Neuve Chapelle, St. Julien, Bellewaarde,
Arras 1917, Scarpe 1917, Cambrai 1917 '18,
Somme 1918, St. Quentin, Lys, Hazebrouck, Amiens, Albert 1918, Hindenburg Line, St. Quentin Canal, Beaurevoir, Sambre,
France and Flanders 1914–18