Victoria Barracks, Bodmin

Victoria Barracks, Bodmin
Bodmin

The keep, now a museum
Victoria Barracks, Bodmin
Location within Cornwall
Coordinates 50°27′55″N 04°42′54″W / 50.46528°N 4.71500°W / 50.46528; -4.71500Coordinates: 50°27′55″N 04°42′54″W / 50.46528°N 4.71500°W / 50.46528; -4.71500
Type Barracks
Site information
Operator  British Army
Site history
Built 1859
Built for War Office
In use 1859-1968
Garrison information
Occupants Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry

Victoria Barracks was a military installation in Bodmin, Cornwall.

History

The barracks were built in 1859 and originally comprised a keep, adjoining stables and a parade ground.[1] The barracks became home to the 46th (South Devonshire) Regiment of Foot in 1877 and were extensively expanded, following the Childers Reforms, to become a "localisation depot" and home to the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in 1881.[1] The keep became the gatehouse and a hospital and married quarters were added at that time.[1] During the Second World War the barracks were an infantry training centre.[2] In 1959 the barracks became the depot of the Somerset and Cornwall Light Infantry and continued in that role until the regiment was disbanded in 1968.[3]

Cornwall's Regimental Museum

The keep is still standing and hosts Cornwall's Regimental Museum which was founded in 1925 and displays small arms, machine guns, maps, uniforms and paintings, and George Washington's Bible, captured by the 46th Regiment of Foot in 1777.[4] Exhibits also included Harry Patch's medals[5] and Herbert Carter's Victoria Cross.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Bodmin Town Conservation Area Character Appraisal" (PDF). Cornwall County Council. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  2. ↑ "Diary of a Squaddie: The First Three Days". BBC. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  3. ↑ "The Somerset & Cornwall Light Infantry". British Armed Forces. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  4. ↑ "Cornwall's Regimental Museum". Ogilby Trust. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  5. ↑ "WWI Veteran Harry Patch's medals to go on display in Cornwall". Culture 24. 13 August 2009. Retrieved 26 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "The eventful life and death of Major Herbert Augustine Carter VC". Kaiser Cross. Retrieved 26 May 2014.

External links

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