Henley Fort

Henley Fort was built as a mobilisation centre during the 1880-90s as part of the London Defence Positions. Its purpose was to protect the capital from the French army. Initially, construction was rapid due to the invasion threat, but slowed as that threat passed. It is the most westerly fort of a 17-mile chain that would have formed a secondary line of defence between the South coast and London. It was never used as a fort in the conventional sense, having neither the men or the munitions to garrison it, and was instead used to train volunteers and as a monthly meeting place for the volunteers who manned it. Ammunition was also created on site, and the fort was constructed using chalk in…