Kempston Barracks

Kempston Barracks
Kempston
Kempston Barracks keep
Kempston Barracks
Location within Bedfordshire
Coordinates 52°07′28″N 00°29′01″W / 52.12444°N 0.48361°W / 52.12444; -0.48361Coordinates: 52°07′28″N 00°29′01″W / 52.12444°N 0.48361°W / 52.12444; -0.48361
Type Barracks
Site information
Operator  British Army
Site history
Built 1875–1876
Built for War Office
In use 1876-Present
Garrison information
Occupants Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment

Kempston Barracks is a military installation at Kempston in Bedfordshire.

History

The barracks were built in the Fortress Gothic Revival Style and completed between 1875 and 1876.[1] Their creation took place as part of the Cardwell Reforms which encouraged the localisation of British military forces.[2] The barracks became the depot for the two battalions of the 16th (Bedfordshire) Regiment of Foot.[3] Following the Childers Reforms, the regiment evolved to become the Bedfordshire Regiment with its depot in the barracks in 1881.[3]

The barracks went on to be the depot for the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment in 1919.[4] The building was used as a convalescent centre during the Second World War.[1] The barracks were closed when the regiment was merged with the Essex Regiment to form the 3rd East Anglian Regiment (16th/44th Foot) on 2 June 1958; much of the site has been developed for residential use and the keep is now occupied by a masonic lodge.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Kempston Barracks". Bedford County Council. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  2. ↑ "Echoes of the past in these Army cuts". 8 July 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Training Depots". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 10 February 2006. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
  4. ↑ "Kempston Barracks". Roll of Honour. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
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