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Berwick Barracks

Coordinates: 55°46′16″N 02°00′04″W / 55.77111°N 2.00111°W / 55.77111; -2.00111
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Berwick Barracks
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick Barracks
Berwick Barracks is located in Northumberland
Berwick Barracks
Berwick Barracks
Location within Northumberland
Coordinates55°46′16″N 02°00′04″W / 55.77111°N 2.00111°W / 55.77111; -2.00111
TypeBarracks
Site information
OwnerEnglish Heritage
Site history
Built1717–1721
Built forWar Office
In use1721-Present

Berwick Barracks, sometimes known as Ravensdowne Barracks, is a former military installation of the British Army in Berwick-upon-Tweed, England.

History

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The barracks were built between 1717 and 1721 by Nicholas Hawksmoor for the Board of Ordnance to protect the town during the Jacobite risings.[1] The work, which involved two parallel blocks of military accommodation, was supervised by Captain Thomas Phillips.[2] An additional block was added between 1739 and 1741.[2] After the Napoleonic Wars the barracks were abandoned but put back into use in the 1850s.[2]

Following the Childers Reforms, the barracks became the depot of the King's Own Scottish Borderers, who arrived from Fulford Barracks in July 1881.[3] The regiment moved out of the barracks in 1963 and they are now maintained by English Heritage.[4]

Museum

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The museum hosts an exhibition entitled "By Beat of Drum" which shows the life of the British infantryman.[5] It also houses the last colours of the King's Own Scottish Borderers before it was amalgamated into the Royal Regiment of Scotland in 2006.[6]

References

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  1. ^ Pevsner et al., Buildings of England: Northumberland, Penguin, 1992.
  2. ^ a b c "Berwick Barracks". Undiscovered Scotland. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  3. ^ "1689 - 19th Century". King's Own Scottish Borderers Association. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  4. ^ "Berwick-upon-Tweed Barracks and Main Guard". English Heritage. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  5. ^ "Berwick-upon-Tweed Barracks and Main Guard". Visit Northumberland. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  6. ^ Black, David (31 May 2012). "Berwick Barracks wins battle to house King's Own Scottish Borderers colours". The Journal. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
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