Back Lane drill hall, Newtown
The Back Lane drill hall is a former military installation in Newtown, Wales.
Back Lane drill hall | |
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Newtown, Powys | |
Back Lane drill hall (on the left) | |
Back Lane drill hall Location in Powys | |
Coordinates | 52.51633°N 3.31763°W |
Type | Drill hall |
Site history | |
Built | 1855 |
Built for | War Office |
In use | 1855 – 1955 |
History
The building was designed as the headquarters of the 5th Volunteer Battalion, The South Wales Borderers and was completed in 1897.[1] This unit evolved to become the 7th Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1908.[2] The battalion was mobilised at the drill hall in August 1914 before being deployed to Gallipoli and ultimately to the Western Front.[3]
After the Second World War the battalion converted to become the 636th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (Royal Welch) and then amalgamated with the 635th (Royal Welch) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery to form the 446th (Royal Welch) Airborne Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery at Caernarfon Barracks in 1955.[2] The Back Lane drill hall was then decommissioned and was subsequently used for local community events including amateur dramatics.[4]
References
- "Newtown". The Drill Hall Project. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
- "Merionethshire and Montgomeryshire Volunteers". Regiments.org. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
- "Royal Welch Fusiliers". The Long, Long Trail. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- "History". Newtown Amateur Dramatic Society. Retrieved 21 August 2017.