Fort Gomer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ford Gomer |
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| Part of Gomer-Elson Line/Gosport Advanced Line | |
| Gosport, Hampshire | |
Plan of the fort in 1893
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 Ford Gomer
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| Coordinates | 50°47′28″N 1°09′54″W / 50.791°N 1.165°W |
| Type | Polygonal fort |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Demolished |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1853-1858 |
| In use | 1858-1953 |
| Battles/wars | |
Fort Gomer was an old military fort in Gosport, England. It was one of the many Palmerston Forts, which were built to protect Britain. These forts were named after Prime Minister Lord Palmerston. Fort Gomer was the first of its kind in the area.
It was the most southern fort in a line of five. This line was called the Gomer-Elson Line or 'Gosport Advanced Line'. The other forts were Fort Grange, Fort Rowner, Fort Brockhurst, and Fort Elson. Fort Gomer was built between 1853 and 1858. An old sign above its main entrance said 'Erected AD 1853'. Building Fort Gomer cost about £92,000 by 1869.
Contents
Building Fort Gomer: Design and Features
Fort Gomer was built using a new design for land forts. This design was based on the 'Prussian System' of defense. It was quite special because it was one of the first forts to move away from older building styles.
The fort was surrounded by a wet moat, like a ditch filled with water. This moat made it harder for enemies to get close. The fort was about 500 feet wide and 800 feet long. At the back, facing east, was a barracks building shaped like a shallow 'V'. This building was designed to be defended if needed. There were two spiral staircases that led to the roof of the barracks.
The fort also had special areas called bastionettes at its northwest and southwest corners. These allowed soldiers to fire muskets along the ditches to protect the fort. Tunnels also led from the main parade ground to the ditches, allowing more firing positions.
Life Inside Fort Gomer: Barracks and Soldiers
The barrack block inside Fort Gomer was where the soldiers lived. In 1861, it could house many people. This included one field officer, ten other officers, and over 300 regular soldiers. There was also space for a master gunner, sergeants, and servants.
The fort even had a small hospital with its own kitchen for up to eight patients. By 1893, the living arrangements were updated. It could then hold one field officer, seven officers, and 310 gunners. There was also separate housing for four married non-commissioned officers and men.
Fort Gomer's Weapons: Guns and Mortars
Fort Gomer was armed with many powerful weapons to defend against attacks. The main guns were placed on two large earth mounds called bastions. More guns fired through openings in the walls. Smaller guns were used to defend the ditches around the fort.
In 1862, the fort had a mix of different guns:
- 9 large 68-pounder guns
- 5 big 10-inch guns
- 7 8-inch guns
- 9 32-pounder guns
- 2 huge 13-inch mortars (these fired shells high into the air)
Later, around 1872, plans were made to replace most of the older guns with newer, more accurate ones. By 1886, the fort mainly had twenty 7-inch rifled guns and two 13-inch mortars. The fort was changed over time to improve how its guns were set up. By 1891, it had a mix of 64-pounder and 7-inch rifled guns in different parts of the fort.
Fort Gomer in Action: Training and War
For many years, Fort Gomer was mostly used as a place for soldiers to live and train. It was disarmed in 1901, meaning its main weapons were removed. However, it was still used for training. Soldiers prepared there for the Boer War and later for the trenches of the First World War.
During World War II, the fort became active again. In 1939, the 3rd Field Training Regiment Royal Artillery was based there. Later, in 1943-1944, a Canadian unit called The Fort Garry Horse used the fort. They trained there for amphibious assaults, which are attacks from the sea onto land. Another unit, the 1st Hussars, also moved to Fort Gomer in March 1944 to get ready for the D-Day landings.
After the war, the 7th Royal Tank Regiment was based at the fort in the 1950s, leaving in 1953. For a short time in 1953, the Royal Army Ordnance Corps Boys Training School used the fort. Fort Gomer was finally released by the military in 1964. It was then sold for £169,000 and torn down to make way for new houses. Today, nothing of Fort Gomer remains.
