South Walls, Stromabank
Anti Aircraft Battery (20th Century)
Site Name South Walls, Stromabank
Classification Anti Aircraft Battery (20th Century)
Alternative Name(s) H4; Hill Of Wards; South Waas
Canmore ID 81777
Site Number ND38NW 23
NGR ND 31467 89814
NGR Description Centred ND 31467 89814
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/81777
- Council Orkney Islands
- Parish Walls And Flotta
- Former Region Orkney Islands Area
- Former District Orkney
- Former County Orkney
ND38NW 23.00 centred 31467 89814
ND38NW 23.01 centred ND 31493 89726 Military Camp
ND38NW 23.02 ND 31454 89971 Radar site
A heavy anti-aircraft battery is situated on the summit of Hill of Wards approixmately 150m NW of the former schoolhouse/hotel of Stromabank. Four emplacements survive, with many hut bases for crew accommodation in the surrounding area (ND38NW 23.01). At ND 3146 8996 (nd38nw 23.02) is the radar ramp for the Gl mat placed centrally in the grid of wooden and metal posts which once held the 'chicken' wire. The surviving remains of the Gl mat are some of the best found in Orkney, with some of the posts standing up to 2m in height. The hexagonal pattern of the Gl mat has been recorded on aerial photographs (RCAHMSAP 1995) along with the general area of the battery.
The battery was armed with 3.7 inch guns (J Guy 1993).
Visited by RCAHMS September 1998; NMRS MS 810/2
