Beachley Barracks
{{Short description|British army base}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox military installation
|name = Beachley Barracks
|native_name =
|partof =
|location = Beachley, Gloucestershire
|country = England
|image =Gateway to camp - geograph.org.uk - 682927.jpg
|alt =
|caption = Entrance to Beachley Barracks
|type = Barracks
|coordinates = {{coord|51|37|13|N|002|39|11|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
|pushpin_map = Gloucestershire
|pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Gloucestershire
|pushpin_label = Beachley Barracks
|ownership = Ministry of Defence
|operator = {{army|United Kingdom}}
|controlledby =
|area =
|code =
|built = {{Start date|1915}}
|used = 1915–present
|builder =
|materials =
|height =
|fate =
|condition =
|battles =
|events =
|commander =
|commanders =
|garrison =
|occupants = 1st Battalion, The Rifles
|open_to_public =
|website =
|image3 =
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}}
Beachley Barracks is a British Army base at Beachley in Gloucestershire, England, close to the England–Wales border at Chepstow. The barracks is the home of 1st Battalion, The Rifles and is located at Beachley Point between the River Severn and the River Wye. It is set to close in 2029.
History
In 1915, during the First World War, the government requisitioned a large area of land at Beachley and constructed National Shipyard No.2. However, the war ended before production had begun. Instead, in 1924 it was decided to establish a British Army Apprentices School (which in 1966 was renamed as an Army Apprentices College) at Beachley to ensure a core of technical qualified soldiers with technical education combined with military training as potential NCOs and officers mainly for the specialist corps Royal Engineers, REME plant operator mechanics and RAOC.{{cite web|url=http://www.homestead.com/armyapprenticescollege/History.html|title=Army Apprentices College, Chepstow – History|accessdate=8 November 2016}}
The 1st Battalion, The Rifles moved to the barracks in 2007.{{Cite web |title=Riflemen bid fond farewell to South East Wales – for now {{!}} The British Army |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/news-and-events/news/2023/05/riflemen-bid-fond-farewell-to-south-east-wales-for-now/}}
The 1st Battalion, The Rifles are currently on a two year deployment in Dhekelia. They will return to Beachley Barracks in 2025, prior to moving to new build facilities at Caerwent Barracks, when the building project is complete, alongside 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards.
Future
In November 2016, the Ministry of Defence announced that the site would close in 2027;{{cite web |date=November 2016 |title=A Better Defence Estate |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/565858/20161107_MOD_Better_Defence_Estate_FINAL.pdf |accessdate=8 November 2016 |publisher=Ministry of Defence}} this was later extended to 2029.{{cite web |title=Disposal database: House of Commons report |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disposal-database-house-of-commons-report |accessdate=26 November 2021}}
Current units
Only one unit is currently stationed at the barracks:
- 1st Battalion, The Rifles{{cite web|url=http://www.chepstowbeacon.co.uk/article.cfm?id=106086&headline=Barracks+set+to+close+as+part+of+armed+forces+cutbacks§ionIs=news&searchyear=2016|title=Barracks set to close as part of armed forces cutbacks|publisher=Chepstow Beacon|date=23 November 2016|accessdate=11 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/29599.aspx |title=The Rifles – Regimental overview |publisher=British Army |accessdate=20 February 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228025745/http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/29599.aspx |archivedate=28 February 2014 }}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://armyapprenticecollegechepstow.co.uk/ Army Apprentices College and Beachley Old Boys Association]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Installations of the British Army