Fulwood Barracks
Fulwood, Lancashire
Fulwood Barracks
Fulwood Barracks is located in Preston
Fulwood Barracks
Fulwood Barracks
Location within Preston
Coordinates53°46′41″N 02°41′9″W / 53.77806°N 2.68583°W / 53.77806; -2.68583
TypeBarracks
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
Operator British Army
Site history
Built1842–1848
Built forWar Office
In use1848-Present
Garrison information
OccupantsHeadquarters North West
Regimental Headquarters, Duke of Lancaster's Regiment

Fulwood Barracks is a military installation at Fulwood in Preston, Lancashire, England. It is set to close in 2030.

History

The barracks were built between 1842 and 1848 as a base, initially at least, for the 2nd Battalion 60th Rifles, following the chartist riots.[1] In 1861, an incident took place when Private Patrick McCaffery shot both the Commanding Officer and the Adjutant of the base: he was hanged for the offence.[2]

In 1873, a system of recruiting areas based on counties was instituted under the Cardwell Reforms and the barracks became the depot for the 47th (Lancashire) Regiment of Foot and the 81st Regiment of Foot (Loyal Lincoln Volunteers).[3] Following the Childers Reforms, the 47th and 81st Regiments amalgamated as the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, with its depot at the barracks in 1881.[3]

The barracks also served as the depot of the East Lancashire Regiment from 1898, when the regiment re-located from Burnley Barracks, until 1939.[1] The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and the East Lancashire Regiment both returned to the barracks shortly after the Second World War.[1] The barracks, which went on to become the regional centre for infantry training as the Lancastrian Brigade Depot in 1960,[4] became the depot of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment in 1970 as well as Headquarters North West District in 1977 and the headquarters of 42 (North West) Brigade in 1991.[5] The keep, and 15 other buildings and structures in the barracks, are Grade II listed buildings.[6][7]

The barracks was formerly Headquarters 42 (North West) Brigade, before it was disbanded in January 2017, being reduced in status to become the cadets-and-reservists Headquarters North West. It has been the Regimental Headquarters of the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment since its formation in 2006.[8]

The barracks was previously home to 3 Medical Regiment. On 28th February 2023, the regiment was disbanded as part of the Army 2020 and Future Soldier integrated reviews. A formal disbandment parade was conducted at Fulwood Barracks, concluding with the commanding officer’s of 22 & 34 Field Hospital accepting command of the regiment’s task-squadron’s as the regiment’s role 1 squadrons resubordinated to command of their new units to create the Army’s first regular ‘Multirole Medical Regiments’. 5 Armoured Medical Regiment then rebranded to become the new 3 Medical Regiment, remaining based at Catterick Garrison.[9][10][11]

Future

In November 2016, the Ministry of Defence announced that the site would close in 2022;[12] however this was later put back to 2027,[13] and once more to 2030.[14]

Current units

Current units stationed at the barracks include:

British Army

Community Cadet Forces

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "The Lancashire infantry museum". Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  2. ^ "Fragging at Fulwood". Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Training Depots". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 10 February 2006. Retrieved 16 October 2016.((cite web)): CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ "Infantry Brigade Depots (Location)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 7 March 1958. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  5. ^ "Fulwood Barracks". Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  6. ^ "Keep, Fulwood Barracks, Fulwood". Retrieved 6 April 2014.
  7. ^ "Listed Building Title Search". Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  8. ^ "RHQ". The Duke Of Lancaster's Regimental Association. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Information on the Army 2020 refine exercise - 2017-02130.pdf" (PDF).
  10. ^ "A final Freedom of the Borough parade to take place through Chorley Town Centre by 3 Medical Regiment on Saturday 28 January". Chorley Council. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  11. ^ "3 Medical Regiment Disbandment Parade: 28th February marked the final day of 3 Medical Regiment's existence ahead of the Regiment's disbandment as part of Defence's 'Future Soldier' Integrated Review. Members of the Regiment marked this historic occasion in recognition of the Regiment's many years of continuous service on operations, both overseas and at home by conducting a formal disbandment parade. The parade concluded with Commanding Officer's of 22 & 34 Field Hospital accepting command of the Regiment's Task-Squadron's as the Regiment's Role 1 Squadrons resubordinated to command of their new Units to create the Army's first regular 'Multirole Medical Regiments'. The Regiment was privileged to host a number of local dignitaries in recognition of the strong bonds the Regiment had fostered with the local community, and had the privilege to have Maj Gen Bateman, GOC 1UKXX act as Reviewing Officer for the parade. We wish 5 Medical Regiment, who are scheduled to rebrand as '3 Medical Regiment' and take our place in the line all the best of luck providing the very best medical support to 1UKXX". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
  12. ^ "A Better Defence Estate" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  13. ^ "Preston's army barracks wins stay of execution from Ministry of Defence". Lancashire Post. Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Disposal database: House of Commons report". Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  15. ^ "Army marching band gives a stirring Christmas performance at Preston's Fulwood Barracks". Lancashire Post. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  16. ^ "Duke of Lancaster's Regiment". Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  17. ^ a b "Lancashire Army Cadets". Army Cadets UK. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
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