Prince Williams Barracks
These Soldiers Married Quarters are the single biggest building at the fort. The casemated barracks consist of five main chambers and two more at one end. Although there are two levels,the wooden floor at first floor level has been removed at some point. The local myth is the floor was removed by an officer to build a Summerhouse.
The barracks can be entered via the ditch between Belvedere Battery and Prince williams Bastion. To the left of the entrance a small room and passage can be seen,this has steps inside that lead up to above the ditch and another small room.
Inside the first chamber of the barracks bomb damage from WWII has blown a hole in the casemate and the great thickness of the walls can be seen here. Each barrack room has fireplaces,windows and doorways leading into the adjacent rooms. At the other end of the barracks is a set of steps that leads up to the outside of Prince Williams bastion.
Prince williams barracks were probably only manned by a small group of soldiers who guarded Fort Amherst at this point of the lines. On the roof of the barracks are the remains of a light anti aircraft position from WWII.
Just outside the upper entrance of the barracks is the Prince Williams West Battery position that was used as a Saluting Battery up until the end of the 19th century. This was used for fire of a mid day cannon and royal salutes.
First casemate with WWII bomb damage
The Ablutions
To the right of Prince Williams Barracks from the dry ditch entrance is another two chambered building, This i believe is the Ablutions where soldiers washed their clothes. In the first casemate are some sinks,inside the second casemate to the left are some victorian coppers that were used for washing clothes.
In each of the casemates are gun port openings which look down the flank of one of the dry ditches. Just below outside is a pit probably used to deepen the ditch outside the Ablutions for protection.
Looking down part of the Prince William Bastion ditch towards the Ablutions. Above them you can see a battery of cannons which is over on Belvedere Battery.
Inside the Ablution Casemates
Two Victorian Coppers used for washing clothes.
