Derelict artillery battery on Gibraltar’s west side along Royal Anglian Way.
Rooke Battery is a derelict artillery battery on the west side of Gibraltar, part of the Fortifications of Gibraltar and owned by the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence. Situated along the Royal Anglian Way, it is named after Sir George Rooke and retains remains from World War II.
Rooke Battery is a derelict artillery battery on the west side of the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar and forms part of the Fortifications of Gibraltar. It lies on the Royal Anglian Way, a path up the west side of the Rock towards the top of the Rock, which passes Rooke Battery and Hayne’s Cave Battery. The Royal Anglian Way is named after the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment, who refurbished the battery in August 1969. The battery has a plaque inscribed “1906” and is named after Sir George Rooke, who commanded the British Fleet when Gibraltar came under British rule. In 1907 the battery mounted a BL 9.2 inch gun Mk IX–X on a Mk. V mounting, supported by an underground magazine and shelter that protected it against severe damage. The 9.2-inch guns were also installed at Spur Battery, Breakneck Battery and other similar positions high on the Rock, and the gun at Rooke Battery is known to have remained in place in 1928. Visitors today can see the remains of the searchlight used during World War II, when Rooke Battery served as a Fire Command headquarters directing the fire of other batteries.
