Copthorne Barracks
| Copthorne Barracks | |
|---|---|
| Copthorne, Shropshire | |
 Copthorne Barracks | |
  Copthorne Barracks Location within Shropshire | |
| Coordinates | 52°42′38″N 02°46′18″W / 52.71056°N 2.77167°W |
| Type | Barracks |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Operator |  British Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1877–1881 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1881-Present |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | E Company 6th Bn The Rifles 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital. |
Copthorne Barracks is a British Army military installation in Copthorne, a suburb of Shrewsbury in Shropshire, England.
History
The barracks were built between 1877 and 1881 and initially included a hospital, married quarters, stabling and stores.[1] Originally the depot of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry,[2] the barracks went on to become the regional centre for infantry training as the Light Infantry Brigade Depot in 1960.[3]
The King's Shropshire Light Infantry museum was first established at Copthorne Barracks but moved to Shrewsbury Castle in 1985.[4]
Copthorne Barracks was also the headquarters of the 5th Infantry Division from 1995 until the division was disbanded in 2012.[5]
It was also the administrative headquarters of the British Army's regional 143 (West Midlands) Brigade until 11 Signal Brigade and 143 (West Midlands) Brigade amalgamated to form 11th Signal Brigade and Headquarters West Midlands in November 2014.[6] Following the amalgamation, the staff moved to Venning Barracks at Donnington, Telford (11 Signal Brigade's base).[7]
The barracks also remains the home of two Army Reserve units, E Company, 6th Battalion The Rifles and 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital, whose drill halls are within its perimeter.[8]
In November 2014, the Ministry of Defence declared the parts of the barracks left unused by the departure of the 143 Brigade surplus to requirements and officially put it up for sale. The exception is 0.193 hectares of land used by the Army Reserve Centre which will remain Ministry property.[7]
References
- ^ "A Short History of The Copthorne Barracks". Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ "Copthorne Barracks welcomes veterans at reunion". 10 June 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ "Infantry Brigade Depots (Location)". Hansard. 7 March 1958. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- ^ "Shrewsbury Castle". Secret Shropshire. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ "Shrewsbury Copthorne Barracks sees more troops move out". BBC. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 29 March 2014.
- ^ "New West Midlands brigade formed". Express and Star. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ a b Meierhands, Jennifer; Rowden, Nathan (26 November 2014). "Parts of barracks to be sold off by MoD". Shropshire Star. p. 5. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
- ^ "Copthorne Barracks, Shrewsbury". Alternative Venues. Retrieved 29 March 2014.