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Oliver Hill Battery - H2 Gun
9.2in Mk X Gun
Built in 1901 by the Royal Gun Factory, the two 9.2in MK IV guns destined for Oliver Hill, were delivered to Rottnest Island in 1937.
14 August 1933 – Military experts recommend the Commonwealth Government to purchase a number of 9.2” guns to install in strategic locations around the country. It is being considered by Sir George Foster Pearce (1870-1952), Minister of Defence. Upon the budget being presented to the Federal Cabinet in September, a decision shall be made, due to an estimated cost of £5,000 per gun, with further costs of £25,000 for the gun mounting, special concrete foundation and associated equipment. At this stage, it appears that locations in Sydney, Newcastle and Fremantle are being considered for the guns (9.2 Inch Batteries, Daily Mercury, p.10)
March 1934 – Sir George Foster Pearce, Minister of Defence, announces plans to purchase two 9.2 inch guns at a cost of £35,000 (Oliver Hill Battery Rottnest Island – Conservation Management Plan).
End 1937 – The 9.2” H2 gun for Oliver Hill arrives in Fremantle Port on board the MW Karamia (Fremantle Fortress – Rottnest Island WW2 Coastal Defence Facilities).
Oliver Hill Battery - Entrance
The entrance tunnel is in close proximity to the railway line, providing direct access for receiving supplies of cordite and shells for the magazine.
The tunnel leads to the Casualty Clearance Station, before providing access to the underground Shell Store (located to the left of the 9.2" Mk X gun) and the Pump Chamber (located under the concrete space behind the gun).
