Episode: 7
Broadcast: 26th April
Presenter: Carmen Braidwood

Carmen goes underground into the Leighton Battery Tunnels, tunnels that were made to defend the Western Coastline from potential invasions.

• Once a week, these tunnels are opened up for the public to explore.
• The 300 metres of tunnel were built and completed in 1943 and were cut through limestone, reaching a depth of 10 metres.
• Initially, there were 4 anti-aircraft guns located on the site and soon afterwards, 6 inch coastal defence weapons were installed.
• Women of the Australian Women’s Army Service had worked on site in the communications role, they had a very small room to sleep in and it was strictly ‘off limits’ to all male personnel.
• By 1963, the concept of fixed coastal defences had become outdated and the tunnels were blocked however, restoration of these tunnels had commenced and it wasn’t until 1997 that the tunnels were opened to the public for the first time.

Contact: The Royal Australian Artillery Historical Society of Western Australia (INC.)

Enquiries: 9269 4544

Times: Every Sunday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Homepage:
http://www.artillerywa.org.au/raahs/leighton.htm

History:
http://www.artillerywa.org.au/raahs/history.htm