Clive Barracks

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox military installation

|name=Clive Barracks

|image=RAF Ternhill - geograph.org.uk - 568493.jpg

|caption = Clive Barracks

|type = Barracks

|map_type = Shropshire

|pushpin_map_caption = Location within Shropshire

|location = Ternhill

|coordinates = {{Coord|52|52|16|N|02|32|01|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

|ownership = Ministry of Defence

|operator = {{army|United Kingdom}}

|built = 1976

|used=1976–present

|architect =

|built_for =

|garrison =

|occupants = 1 Royal Irish Regiment

}}

Clive Barracks is a British Army installation at Ternhill, Shropshire, England. It is set to close in 2029.

History

The barracks were established on the site of the former RAF Tern Hill airfield in 1976; they were initially named Borneo Barracks,{{cite web|url=http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-T.htm#Ternhill |title=RAF Ternhill|publisher=Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation|accessdate=5 June 2013}} before being renamed Clive Barracks after Major-General Lord Clive, who had been born in Shropshire.{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/31070.aspx |title=1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment|publisher=Ministry of Defence (MoD)|accessdate=5 June 2013}} Some of the early units to use the site were the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, who moved there in 1980,{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/queen-s-lancashire-regiment.html|title=Queen's Lancashire Regiment|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|accessdate=1 June 2014}} and the Royal Welch Fusiliers, who moved there in 1984.{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/royal-welch-fusiliers.html|title=Royal Welch Fusiliers|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|accessdate=1 June 2014}}

= IRA bombing =

On 20 February 1989, two IRA bombers activated two bombs within the accommodation barracks at Tern Hill.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/20/newsid_3417000/3417027.stm|title=1989: IRA bombs Tern Hill barracks|publisher=BBC|accessdate=30 March 2014}} At that time the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (who had arrived in 1987){{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/parachute-regiment-2/parachute-regiment-2nd-bn.html|title=2nd Bn Parachute Regiment|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|accessdate=1 June 2014}} and the 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (who had arrived in 1989) were located at the station.{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/duke-of-wellington-s-regiment.html|title=Duke of Wellington's Regiment|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|accessdate=1 June 2014}} A sentry spotted two men behaving suspiciously and raised the alarm, the barracks were evacuated shortly before the bombs exploded therefore preventing certain loss of life. One of the accommodation blocks was destroyed in the blast (which was reported to have been heard {{Convert|20|mi|abbr=on}} away in Shrewsbury). The bombers escaped by hijacking a car from a house down the road from the barracks.

Current units

Since 2007, the barracks has been home to the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Regiment, which operates in the light infantry role primarily equipped with the Foxhound armoured vehicle.{{Cite web|url=https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2018-11-22/194616|title=Army:Written question - 194616|last=Lancaster|first=Mark|date=29 November 2018|website=UK Parliament|language=en|access-date=3 December 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-logistic-corps/4-regiment-rlc/|title=The Royal Irish Regiment|website=British Army|language=en-GB|access-date=3 December 2018}} As of 1 November 2018, there were 628 troops assigned to the battalion.{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/infantry/royal-irish-regiment.html|title=Royal Irish Regiment|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|accessdate=1 June 2014}}

Future

In late March 2016, the Ministry of Defence announced that the site to be sold in order to reduce the size of the Defence estate.{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/thousands-of-new-homes-to-be-built-as-mod-releases-more-sites|title=Thousands of new homes to be built as MOD releases more sites|publisher=Ministry of Defence|accessdate=25 March 2016}} The airfield will be retained as a Relief Landing Ground (RLG) and practice area for No 1 Flying Training School based out of nearby RAF Shawbury.{{cite news|title=Base closure will not affect RAF airfield|last1=Pugh|first1=James|date=14 May 2016|work=Shropshire Star|issue=15760|page=13}} Later, in November 2016, it was announced that the site would close in 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/565858/20161107_MOD_Better_Defence_Estate_FINAL.pdf|title=A Better Defence Estate|publisher=Ministry of Defence|date=November 2016 |accessdate=8 November 2016}} This was later extended to 2025,{{cite news|url=https://www.forces.net/news/your-military-base-closing-read-full-list-sites-shutting|title=Is Your Military Base Closing? Read The Full List Of Sites Shutting|date=20 October 2020|publisher=Forces News|accessdate=20 October 2020|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805215139/https://www.forces.net/news/your-military-base-closing-read-full-list-sites-shutting|url-status=dead}} and once more to 2029.{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disposal-database-house-of-commons-report|title=Disposal database: House of Commons report|accessdate=26 November 2021}}

References