Prince George’s Battery is thought to be named after Prince George, the son of George III. The battery was built in 1762 and mounted six 24-pdr and two 8-inch Howitzers. It lies to the north and adjacent to Elliot’s Battery, although a small shot yard is shown between the two.
In 1856 it was decided that the battery should be armed with 68-pdrs but at that time it still had the eleven smooth bores of smaller calibre. In 1866 shell rooms were built at the battery.
In 1868 Colonel Jerviois recommended that the battery be converted to a heavy 9-inch RML and work was carried out on the site between 1872 and 1873
1856 returns show the following armament at the battery:
- 1 x 8-inch Howitzer
- 3 x 13-inch Mortars
- 5 x 68-pdr
By 1886 Prince George’s Battery is shown to mount:
- 1 x 9-inch RML
- 1 x 8-inch SB Howitzer
- 3 x 13-inch LS Mortars
In 1902 the battery was converted to take two 12-pdr Mark I Q.F. guns. In 1909 this was further upgraded to two 4-inch Q.F. guns on Mark I mounts. Traces of the battery can still be seen and there is a metal shield on the site, possibly for one of the 4-inch guns.
During World War 2 a search light position was built over the A gun pit.
The UK National Archives references
WO 78/5248