Local resident and photographer John Callaway, gives us a glimpse into the little known history of Portsmouth and the surrounding area, alongside some of his stunning photography. This week, he turns his eye to Fraser Range in Eastney.
Eastney, and in particular the fenced off site of the The Fraser Range has been something of a magnet to me over the years. Currently owned by Qinetiq, the site was previously used as both a Royal Naval gunnery range and research centre, but has sadly now fallen into disrepair. The gunnery range closed in the 1980s, at which point it became an Admiralty Research Establishment concerned with Civil Marine radar.
The relationship between Eastney and Naval gunnery would seem to date from 1859 when nearby Fort Cumberland became the headquarters of the Royal Marine Artillery. In the period 1924-37, the foreshore in front of the fort was used for searchlight and sound locator training, pier building and landing craft development. The Fraser Range seems to have been established around this time, taking its name from Admiral of the Fleet Baron Bruce Fraser of North Cape.
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