“Walkies” – Part 3

The final part of the walk by Fearne the dog from Blyth!

These 1916 gun emplacements housed twin 6-inch guns to protect this vital location in both world wars, defending against coastal bombardment and beach invasion. After WW2 the guns were removed and filled in and adapted to form amenity shelters along the prom with seats under the canopies for visitors to use. 

These are photographs of two replica Mk V11 6 inch naval guns.  They were manufactured by M Fairington Engineers. A donation from Blyth Rotary Club helped with the installation and on 6 April 2019 they were unveiled by Col. Benjamin Speke Deputy Lieutenant of Northumberland. 

This 1916 shelter below was occupied by gun crews on duty and waiting for action at times when the Battery was at a high state of readiness.  The building had separate parts for the men, the officers and the Battery. Today this building is used as a small café and is run by a group of volunteers for the Blyth Battery. 

The 1916 building pictured below stored the shells and cartridges and was built beneath the sand dunes.  It has a reinforced roof with a protective blast void. The ready use stores up at the Gun Emplacements were replenished by moving ammunition from this reserve on trolleys, keeping the guns ready for fighting action at all times of the day and night. Today this building is a great museum, again ran by volunteers of the Blyth Battery. 

Well that just about ends my story and hope you enjoyed reading about these fascinating buildings. At present the Blyth Battery Museum is currently closed due to the Coronavirus , however when re-opened is well worth a visit.