General

Fort Halstead was one of a series of thirteen 1890s Mobilisation Centres built as part of a scheme known as the London Defence Positions, which was designed to protect the southern and eastern approaches to London. It was the only one with machine gun emplacements / prepared earthen platforms (probably Vickers). But there were no permanent mounted armaments on the fort nor was there a permanent garrison attached. The fort was normally under the supervision of a resident caretaker, who lived in a cottage (A14).

In 1921 the Fort was sold to Colonel Bradshaw. The cottages were let, and the remainder of the site was used as a campsite for the Territorial Army, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, and accommodation for destitute refugees.

In 1938-39 construction began for the development of rocket work. By the end of the war there were around eighty buildings, comprising specialist explosives filling sheds, a large laboratory, workshops, administration buildings, and welfare facilities, such as a canteen. In addition the establishment was equipped air raid shelters and to the north a housing estate for the War Department police.

Acronyms

ADD: Armament Design Department

ARD: Armament Research Department

HER: High Explosives Research

RARDE: Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment