History of war in Hartlepool documented in new book

A unique photographic account of Hartlepool's remaining wartime defences has been published by The Northern School of Art photography degree student Joshua Gallantree.

Joshua, who is who is about to go into his final year studying photography on the School's BA (Hons) Photographic Practice (with moving image) course, compiled 'Remnants of War' to document the defences that are still standing almost 80 years after the end of the Second World War.

Joshua, who is originally from Redcar and studied at The Northern School's former further education campus in Green Lane, Middlesbrough, before joining the Hartlepool campus degree course, said: "The book aims to inform and educate those who are interested in history about the defence of Hartlepool during the Second World War.

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"There are many remains of wartime defences scattered all across the UK and once the war ended lots of them were demolished but a fair few of them still remain.

"I wanted to document these defences before they are either demolished or before coastal erosion forces them into the sea."

Heugh battery battle command post

He added that the biggest obstacles he faced were weather and access: "I had a good idea of where the defences were anyway so it was easy enough to pick up a camera and get out there to photograph them but the weather and access to some areas proved a challenge, causing me to postpone some shoots."

During his project Joshua was also rewarded by a rare sight: "The most interesting thing I found by far was the heavy anti-aircraft battery ammo storage building. It is also the only remaining structure left of the anti-aircraft gun battery. It's not very common you find them."

Heavy anti-aircraft gun ammo storage building

Joshua is really pleased with the reaction that the book has had since its launch: "So far the book has had a lot of good feedback.

"On the day of the launch at the Heugh Battery Museum I managed to sell 15 copies, which granted isn't a lot, but for my first book, and the first time I've sold my work, it was a great day for me as a photographer.

"I would like to thank the Heugh Battery Museum for their massive part in helping me publish the book and for giving me a platform to share my work."

Joshua has plans for future projects on similar lines, adding: "I hope to continue with the theme of wartime history. I want to more or less do the same thing as I have done with 'Remnants of War', but this time with every defence that's left standing stretching from the River Tees up to the River Tyne, using the experience I've gained and enhancing my photography style."

* 'Remnants of War' by Joshua Gallantree can be purchased from the Heugh Battery Museum situated at Moor Terrace, The Ancient Headland, Hartlepool, TS24 0PS. It costs £5.00, with all money raised going directly to Heugh Battery to help preserve Hartlepool's Wartime History.

Joshua can be contacted via email at gallantreejoshua21@gmail.com and is on Instagram at @j.gall_photography Further information about The Northern School of Art's BA (Hons) Photography degree course is available at www.northernart.ac.uk

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