 The Army discontinued the use of the fort in 1920 and in 1929 it was sold off and converted into a small zoo.It saw one further period of military usage during and immediately before the Second World War; it was used as an observation post from 1938, became part of the local anti-invasion system in 1939–40 and was used as part of the air defence network against V-1 flying bombs in 1944.After the war it belonged to the Allhallows Estate Company before passing to Strood Rural District Council.