Carver Barracks
| Carver Barracks | |
|---|---|
| Debden, Uttlesford | |
 Entrance to Carver Barracks | |
  Carver Barracks Location within Essex | |
| Coordinates | 51°59′15″N 00°17′03″W / 51.98750°N 0.28417°W |
| Type | Barracks |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Operator |  British Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1935–1937 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1975–present |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 33 Engineer Regiment |
Carver Barracks is a British Army base on the former site of RAF Debden, approximately 1 mile north of the village of Debden, in Essex. The nearest town is Saffron Walden.
History
The airfield was built in 1935–37 and the runways laid in 1940. It was first occupied by the Royal Air Force (RAF), followed by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in September 1942. It was returned to RAF control on 5 September 1945. After the RAF withdrew from the station in 1974, the site was handed to the British Army and re-established as Carver Barracks in 1975.[1] The barracks were named after Field Marshal Lord Carver, a former Royal Tank Regiment officer.[2]
In the 1980s, Carver Barracks was home to the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, the 13th/18th Royal Hussars and the 9th/12th Royal Lancers – all armoured reconnaissance regiments. It was also home to the Falklands competition, which is held every year for the air training corps. The site is now home to 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)[3] and 101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal).[4]
In November 2016 the Ministry of Defence announced that the site would close in 2031.[5]
References
- ^ "Debden Airfield". Pastscape. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
- ^ "A Short History of Carver Barracks – Wimbish". Retrieved 2 June 2014.
- ^ "33 Engineer Regiment (EOD)". Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "101 (City of London) Engineer Regiment (EOD)". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
- ^ "A Better Defence Estate" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.