Hilsea Barracks

Hilsea Barracks
Hilsea, Portsmouth
Former military store within Gatcombe Park
Hilsea Barracks
Location within Hampshire
Coordinates 50°49′42″N 1°04′01″W / 50.82838°N 1.06682°W / 50.82838; -1.06682Coordinates: 50°49′42″N 1°04′01″W / 50.82838°N 1.06682°W / 50.82838; -1.06682
Type Barracks
Site information
Owner Ministry of Defence
Operator  British Army
Site history
Built 1780
Built for War Office
In use 1780-1965

Hilsea Barracks was a military installation at Hilsea in Portsmouth.

History

The site was originally occupied by Gatcombe Manor, a medieval house which was acquired through marriage by Admiral Sir Roger Curtis in the 18th century.[1] The War Office requisitioned the site from Curtis for military purposes in the 1770s.[1] The garrison commander's house, which was rebuilt in 1780, evolved to become the officers' mess and survives as a Grade II listed building.[2] The barracks, built to accommodate several thousand troops, were completed in 1794[1] and subsequently enhanced in 1854 for occupation by the Royal Field Artillery: a military chapel known as "St Barbara's Garrison Church" was added in 1888.[3] The Royal Field Artillery vacated the site in 1921 when it became the main training depot for the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.[4] During the Second World War the site was used by the United States Army.[5]The buildings, which underwent various improvements and changes of use, were closed in 1962; they were demolished to make way for the "Gatcombe Park" housing development in 1965.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Page, William (1908). "Parishes: Wymering, in A History of the County of Hampshire". London. p. 165-170. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  2. ↑ "Gatcombe House". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  3. ↑ "Hilsea Barracks". History in Portsmouth. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  4. ↑ "The army barracks that became a housing estate". The News. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  5. ↑ "Home to the army too". The News. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  6. ↑ Mitchell, p. 30

Sources

  • Mitchell, Garry (1988). Hilsea Lines and Portsbridge. ISBN 0-947605-06-1.
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