Tilbury Fort
The
fort in Picturesque views on the River Thames by Samuel Ireland
in 1802
The current Tilbury Fort was built in
the 17th Century on the site of an Tudor fort built by Henry 8th
to protect both the important ferry crossing and the harbours in
London further up the Thames against raiders.
The site at a key point of the river
gives advantageous lines of fire from the ramparts making it
likely that any craft under fire would be destroyed are suffer
serious damage going up river and again when returning.
During the Civil War the fort played
no direct role although being in an area controlled by the
Parliamentary forces it was garrisoned as part of the defence of
London.
The old Tudor fort was much changed
with a rebuild to the pattern that we recognise today with walls
that were comparatively low relying on protection from assault
by a double moat. Part of this was due to military needs but
mainly from the marshy land requiring piling even for the low
walls built.
The main entrance was from the north
via a wooden bridge with a drawbridge system although there was
a water gate to the river.
Although the fort was manned by 1680,
building work continued throughout the 1700's including the
building of two large powder magazines for storage of gunpowder
and ordnance.
The Napoleonic wars brought the fort
back into prominence with 106 guns ranging from 9 pounders to
huge 43 pounders. Several armed hulks manned by Volunteer
Artillery units were also moored in the river off Tilbury to
further deter raiders.
At times of peace the fort warranted
a small garrison to maintain the fort and its important powder
magazines.
All outgoing shipping was required to
moor in the river at nearby Gravesend until they were inspected
by the Customs. A gun was fired when they were allowed to
proceed upriver. No doubt the guns of the fort played a great
role in enforcing this rule!
Not surprisingly due to its position
and strength Tilbury Fort never engaged in live action against
the enemy with the exception of anti aircraft batteries during
the two world wars.
Garrison
For most of its history the Fort was
controlled by the Army Ordnance Department with Artillery
Officers mainly from the 4th and 5th Divisional Horse Artillery
although Line Regiments often used the fort for accommodation
and bases.
Often the Artillerymen based at the
fort were in comparatively low numbers for instance the strength
in 1870 was 26 men.
The garrison was made up of a Fort
Major and 'invalids' who were soldiers not considered fit enough
to service in the regular battalions but were fit enough for
guard duty and depot life. In 1762 there were 8 companies of '
invalids' stationed at Tilbury Fort.
The National Archive records show
members of the below Line Regiments has ' Invalids' stationed at
Tilbury in the late 1700's and early 1800's.
1st, 2nd,3rd,9th,11th, 13th, 15th, 20th, 22th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 43rd, 48th, 49th, 50th, 52nd, 53rd, 54th, 56th, 60th, 63rd, 67th, 80th, 85th and 104th all were stationed at the Fort.
At the start of World War One control
of the fort remained with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps although
infantry Battalions occupied the barracks and temporary barracks
within the fort and temporary camps in the area.
