One of a line of five forts to defend the western approaches to Portsmouth Harbour. It was designed, together with its sister forts, Grange and Rowner, by William Crossman. It is an early example of the polygonal fort and features a circular keep of last resort at its gorge. Its main west rampart is built over a series of casemated barrack rooms. The central parade is divided into three sections by two long earth ramps for access to the terreplein. The shoulders of the fort house the main magazines whilst the north and south flanks provide accommodation for officers and NCOs as well as gun casemates for flank defence. The terrepleins of the flanks have two Haxo casemates each. Brockhurst was the discharge depot where the periodical drafts of men, whose time of service had expired while abroad, were kept until the details incident to their discharge were completed.
Charles Orr's Memoirs Volume 2
