Kempston Barracks
Kempston Barracks is a military installation at Kempston in Bedfordshire.
| Kempston Barracks | |
|---|---|
| Kempston | |
 Kempston Barracks keep | |
  Kempston Barracks Location within Bedfordshire | |
| Coordinates | 52°07′28″N 00°29′01″W |
| Type | Barracks |
| Site information | |
| Operator |  |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1875–1876 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1876-Present |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment |
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
- "Kempston Barracks". Bedford County Council. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
- "Echoes of the past in these Army cuts". 8 July 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- "Training Depots". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 10 February 2006. Retrieved 16 October 2016.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
- "Kempston Barracks". Roll of Honour. Retrieved 26 May 2014.