Historic artillery battery in Gibraltar, named for Colonel Tovey.
Tovey Battery was an artillery battery forming part of the Fortifications of Gibraltar, in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. Named after Colonel Tovey, who led the Royal Artillery and died in Gibraltar in November 1781 during the Great Siege, it mounted two six‑inch guns, including during World War II.
Tovey Battery was an artillery battery within the Fortifications of Gibraltar, in the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. It was named after Colonel Tovey, who was in Gibraltar and died there in November 1781 while he led the Royal Artillery during the Great Siege of Gibraltar. The battery formed part of Gibraltar’s defensive system and contributed to close‑range protection of this strategic location. By the end of the nineteenth century, Tovey Battery had two six‑inch guns. These were part of a total of fourteen guns available for close‑range defence. Its military significance is illustrated by a decision taken in 1911: the importance of Tovey Battery led to the closure of the inferior Hayne’s Cave Battery, which only mounted four‑inch guns. This reflected a preference for the heavier armament at Tovey. During World War II, Tovey Battery continued to play a role in Gibraltar’s defences. At that time, it again had two six‑inch guns. The site was owned by the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence, as part of the overall military infrastructure of Gibraltar. Tovey Battery is regarded as one of the artillery battery fortifications in Gibraltar.
