This battery formed part of the Willis’s defensive complex and was positioned between Princess Anne’s Battery and Princess Caroline’s Battery. Completed in 1732, it was named Princess Amelia’s Battery in honour of the second daughter of King George II.

The battery’s armament changed significantly over the years. According to the 1744 Armament List, it was equipped with eight iron 9-pounder guns. By 1755, sources record five guns covering the front and three mounted en barbette to fire on the left flank. In 1771, its weapons included four 9-pounders, two 6-pounders, four 8-inch mortars, and six 5.5-inch mortars. Although there were only five embrasures, three guns were still mounted en barbette. During the Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779–1783), the 1781 inventory listed one brass 12-pounder, three iron 12-pounders, and one 10-inch howitzer. That same year, Drinkwater recorded that in December 1781, a canvas screen was erected in front of the battery to allow engineers to build caissons under cover.

Amelia's Battery (No. 20) Juan Caballero map, 1779.

Willis's (Amelia's) Battery engraving by George Koehler, 1780.

By 1834, the battery mounted seven 24-pounder guns, which remained in place until 1859. Between 1861 and 1865, surveys noted four pivot guns and possibly some 32-pounders. These were later replaced by two 7-inch rifled breech-loading (RBL) guns, eventually increased to four, but all had been removed by 1892. A survey from 1896–97 shows four embrasures, and in 1892 the battery became a station for two 8-inch rifled howitzers (RHL) as part of the moveable armament, although these were removed by 1902.

Willis’s Battery by Thomas Staunton St Clair, 1826.

The site remained active in the early 20^th Century as a base for moveable artillery. A section of 4.7-inch guns on field carriages was stationed there in 1912. Moving these heavy guns was a complex logistical task. Steam engines — four of them being available — were used to transport artillery from the sheds at North Front, through Casemates, along the Chatham Counterguard, to Ragged Staff, and then up to the northeast corner of the Alameda. From there, another engine carried the guns one at a time to Poca Roca via Hargraves Parade. Guns had to be unlimbered at both Willis’s Gate and Princess Caroline’s Battery, and between Willis’s Gun Shed and Princess Caroline’s, they were moved with a winch and wire cable.

When manpower was required, up to 50 men were needed to drag a single gun up the steep incline behind Princess Caroline’s on Farrington Road. On the 1^st May 1912, it took 30 minutes to remove a gun from Princess Amelia’s Battery and another 45 minutes to move it to Farrington’s Battery. Once in position, the guns were placed in openings in the defensive walls, protected by sandbag emplacements and, in some cases, overhead cover. Oak planks were used as platforms — an arrangement similar to the defensive setups used during the 14^th Siege.

In 1920, the 4.7-inch guns were replaced by 6-inch howitzers, likely deployed in the same way. Two such howitzers were installed on the 25^th August 1939, and shortly after April 1940, they were repositioned. At that time, traversing platforms were added facing the front, along with two additional platforms on the left flank to extend the battery’s field of fire.

Royal Artillery personnel pulling a gun barrel up Willis's Road, 1909.

Princess Amelia’s/Anne’s Anti-Aircraft Battery

In 1942, military authorities in Gibraltar were informed that a more powerful anti-aircraft gun than the standard 3.7-inch model might soon be available — the 5.25-inch AA gun, adapted from a naval high-angle weapon. However, due to higher priorities elsewhere during the war, none were delivered to Gibraltar.

The idea was revived in 1953 when construction began on four large gun emplacements in the area of the former Princess Amelia’s and Princess Anne’s Battery. Each emplacement was equipped with its own engine room and ammunition magazine. The project, initially undertaken by civilian contractors, was later completed by 94 (New Zealand) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery, part of 54 AA Regiment. Once construction was complete, the unit began training personnel — including members of the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC) — to operate these advanced weapons and their complex command and control systems.

Work on installing the first two guns began on the 23^rd July 1954, and two more arrived on May 19^th, 1955. The command post was built in a reinforced concrete structure behind the battery. The guns were successfully proof fired on the 7^th January 1956, and the battery became fully operational by March of that year.

In August 1958, British air defence policy changed, transferring responsibility for air defence (except within the field army) to the Royal Air Force. As a result, 54 AA Regiment was disbanded and all heavy anti-aircraft equipment on the Rock was ordered to be scrapped. In the case of the 5.25-inch guns, it was decided they would remain in place as monuments.

Since then, the guns have been under the care of the Gibraltar Government, which has occasionally carried out maintenance, however extensive maintenance is required.

Link to: 5.25-Inch HAA Mk 5, Princess Anne’s Battery

Princess Amelia's Battery 5.25-inch gun emplacement.

Plate I. Of a View of Gibraltar taken by Henry Aston Barker, Harraden, J. B., 1808.