Ardeer, Ardeer Battery

The important Nobel Company explosives factory at Ardeer was heavily defended during the First World War. The works had a perimeter of about 6 miles, almost 2 miles of which was along the beach. The Fortress Record Book (FRB)(held by The National Archives) of the coast battery established there suggests that what was feared was gunfire against the factory from a single enemy submarine.

A coast defence battery was established as early as September 1914 to protect the works. The FRB usefully summarises its history: a 12-pdr BL gun (the property of the Nobel Company) was initially manned by a detachment of Royal Garrison Artillery. In late October 1914 two Quick Firing 6-pdr Hotchkiss guns for anti-aircraft defence were emplaced. In June 1915 two QF 12-pdr guns (Nos. 1349 and 1358) were added, for coast defence. It was apparently intended that a 9.2-inch gun (capable of engaging the largest German surface ships) would be added, but finally a QF 6-inch gun was added early in 1916. At about the same time the two AA guns were removed. Before the heavier gun was put in place an armoured train (No. 1 Armoured Train, from Craigentinny Sidings in Edinburgh) armed with two 12-pdr guns was stationed at the works. Maps of the Clyde defences (The National Archives WO 78/5182; WO 78/5183) erroneously list the Ardeer battery as having two 6-inch guns, but this was certainly not the case.

A map in the Fortress Record Book shows that the 6-inch gun was mounted near the northern end of the works, at NS 27756 40260. This site was not perfect, as over the months the gun emplacement sank by 20cm and tilted slightly to one side. The 12-pdrs with magazines were positioned near the beach at NS 29622 38572 and NS 28270 39651. Both 12-pdrs had searchlights to illuminate targets at night. The map also shows the location of the Battery Observation Post (NS 27884 40233) and Gunners Quarters (four buildings centred on NS 27878 40306).

The entire perimeter of the works was protected by barbed wire entanglements and fences, and 14 defensive positions are mapped as lying on it, with two further temporary positions on ground to the east. Four of the defensive positions were along the beach frontage.

Information from HS/RCAHMS World War One Audit Project (GJB) 1 July 2013.

NS24SE 127 c.274 402

Victorian Coast Battery noted by Dorman and Guy (2010), built to protect the Nobel Explosives works. Exact location unknown. Two 12 pounder QF guns on Mk1 mountings installed with searchlights. A further 6-inch gun emplacement was installed in 1916.

No trace remains.

J Dorman and J Guy 2010