The Epsom County Secondary Boys School had a long association with Henley Fort.
This connection is summarised in this article.
This fort was one of thirteen Mobilization Centres, which were built at the end of the Nineteenth and beginning of the Twentieth Century. They were fortified stores which were designed to aid the defence of London, and stretched from Guildford in Surrey to North Weald in Essex. Most of the centres have been either converted or demolished altogether but Henley Fort Grove, on ‘The Mount’, near Guildford, seems to be one of the best preserved. It is owned by Surrey Council and is used as an education centre and as a base for re-enactors. The adjacent Tool Store and Caretaker’s Cottage are private residences.
Extract from the 1960 Henley Fort Camp Handbook by Epsom County & Secondary boys’ School
Henley Fort in 2024
Henley Fort sits atop The Mount in Guildford and boasts stunning panoramic views across the sprawling Surrey countryside. From the centre, we also venture out to make use of local settings on the River Wey, thus offering a wider variety of outdoor experiences. Adventure and other resources: Archery, Adventure Walk, Challenge Course, Mountain Biking, Orienteering, Team Tasks, Kayaking, Open Canoeing, Off-site Climbing, Woodland Skills, 1940’s Second World War Home Front Experience.
Henley Fort in 1970
During the Second World War the fort was used by the Home Guard. In the 1950s it was once more used as a camp for local schools. Each school could attend for 2 weeks each year for walks around Surrey.
Each summer between 1957 and 1960 I spent two weeks under canvas at Henley Fort, living conditions were basic, six tents with duck boards and straw mattresses. A cold-water shower and 10 Basins atop a bench with cold water taps, all ablutions done on a tent rota basis, food was plentiful and good with 1/3 bottles of milk and bread and dripping every night, The days were mostly spent on rambles around Surrey countryside, the evenings with games and sport activities. Each student kept a Camp Handbook Book. The book contained a forward by Mr Umpelby the school headmaster, a layout of camp site, an itinerary of days out walking, general camping tips, kit required, list of ablutions and fatigues meteorological scales for daily entry, information on the Towns and villages visited, a personal daily diary, puzzles and games, list of all students and teachers and much more.
The Camp Book cover
Roll Call from the Camp Book
Fort layout from the Camp Book
Mr Chapple- Dinner Al Fresco- Mr Bemister
Fine Dining!
Top left. W Bishop. Richard Tribe, H Chessel, Top Middle. H Chessel, R Tribe.
Top Right. Not sure. Bottom Left H Chessel M Green, Len Glover, J Deer, R Bray, A Burgess, Bottom Middle. ?,?, R Page, W Bishop,?,?,?. Bottom Right. R Finch.
Standing, far left Alex Heels, far right John Stone. Seated, far left Roger Blackwell
Cold water only
Photographs from Friday Collection
©Terry Friday 2024