Proof Firing Anniversary Album - Bickley Battery

On 20 June 1934, the Minister of Defence, the Hon George Pearce announced the upgrade of coastal defences of Australia with the planned installation of 9.2 inch batteries at North Head (Sydney) Newcastle and Fremantle. This funding commitment was the first major investment in Australian coast defences in Western Australia since the installation of Fort Arthur Head and Fort Forrest in the decade after Federation. This was one defence plan which was carried forward to completion and the guns at Oliver Hill were proof fired on Monday 21 November 1938. Warnings were issued to residents on the island and the mainland to prepare for shock, vibration and noise but subsequent newspaper reports indicated there was little impact. The Australian Army Museum of Western Australia played a major role in the events marking the 75th anniversary of the proof firing at a series of heritage events and tours starting at Kingstown Barracks on 19 October 2013