Hilsea Barracks

The site was originally occupied by Gatcombe Manor, a medieval house which was acquired through marriage by Admiral Sir Roger Curtis, Bt in the 18th century.{{cite web|title=Parishes: Wymering, in A History of the County of Hampshire|volume=3|first=William |last=Page |publisher=London|year= 1908|page= 165-170|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/hants/vol3/pp165-170|accessdate=5 December 2016}} The War Office requisitioned the land from Curtis for military purposes in the 1770s. (Gatcombe House, which was rebuilt in 1780, was subsequently occupied by Sir Roger's son, Sir Lucius. He had vacated it by 1849;[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/21030/page/3141 'Gatcombe House to be Let': London Gazette, Issue 21030, page 3141, 19 October 1849] it was subsequently used as part of the barracks and survives as a Grade II listed building.){{cite web|url=http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-474448-gatcombe-house-|title=Gatcombe House|publisher=British Listed Buildings|accessdate=5 December 2016}}

File:Plan and Profiles for Building Barracks within the New Line at Portsea Lake to contain two Battalions.jpg

A plan for barracks on the site was first drawn up by William Dundas in 1756, in connection with the construction of Hilsea Lines (designed to protect Portsmouth and its Dockyard from landward attack). Building commenced in 1780; as designed, the barracks consisted of rows of long wooden huts arranged around three sides of a parade ground.{{cite book |last1=Douet |first1=James |title=British Barracks 1600-1914: their architecture and role in society |date=1998 |publisher=The Stationery Office}} In 1794 the barracks were extended, so as to accommodate several thousand troops.{{cite book |last1=White |first1=William |title=History, Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Hampshire |date=1878 |publisher=William White |location=Sheffield |page=381 |edition=2nd}} In 1801 they were described as 'very extensive' and were being used 'for accommodating a great number of men, who are generally sent there previously to embarking on foreign service, and also on their return. These barracks may, therefore, be considered as a grand military depôt for having men in readiness on any sudden emergency'.{{cite book |title=The History of Portsmouth |date=1801 |publisher=J. C. Mottley |location=Portsmouth |page=88}}

Following the Napoleonic Wars the barracks were gradually dismantled, the last part being taken down (and the materials sold) in February 1822.{{cite book |last1=Slight |first1=Henry |last2=Slight |first2=Julian |title=Chronicles of Portsmouth |date=1828 |publisher=Lupton Relfe |location=London |page=238}} Only the associated hospital was retained.{{cite web|url=https://historic-hospitals.com/english-hospitals-rchme-survey/hampshire/|title=Hilsea Venereal Hospital (Hilsea Military Families' Hospital; Hilsea Artillery Barracks Hospital)|publisher=Historic Hospitals|accessdate=29 July 2020}}

In 1854 Hilsea Barracks were rebuilt, on a more permanent basis, for occupation by the Royal Field Artillery; accommodation was provided for 100 men and 100 artillery horses,{{cite journal |title=Account of the Receipt and Expenditure for Ordnance Services, year ended 31 March 1855 |journal=Parliamentary Papers |date=1856 |volume=41 |page=66}} (more was added subsequently). By 1864 two batteries of the Royal Artillery were stationed there.{{cite book |last1=Measom |first1=George S. |title=The Official Illustrated Guide to the London and South-Western, North and South Devon, Cornwall, and West Cornwall Railways |date=1864 |publisher=C. Griffin & co. |location=London |page=443}} The men were accommodated in brick huts measuring {{convert|60|ft|abbr=on}} by {{convert|20|ft|abbr=on}}, 22 men to a hut.{{cite book |title=Report of the Army Medical Department, Great Britain for the year 1869, Volume 11 |date=1871 |publisher=HMSO |location=London |pages=243-246}} Accommodation for the officers was provided in Gatcombe House.{{cite book |title=The New Portsmouth Guide |date=1863 |publisher=Charpentier |location=Portsmouth |page=112}} A new pavilion plan hospital was built in 1865. A military chapel known as "St Barbara's Garrison Church" was added in 1888.{{cite web|url=http://historyinportsmouth.co.uk/places/hilsea-barracks.htm|title=Hilsea Barracks|publisher=History in Portsmouth|accessdate=4 December 2016}}

The Royal Field Artillery vacated the site in 1921, whereupon it became the main headquarters and training depot for the Royal Army Ordnance Corps,{{cite web|url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/heritage/the-army-barracks-that-became-a-housing-estate-1-4367455|title=The army barracks that became a housing estate|date=15 October 2012|publisher=The News|accessdate=4 December 2016}} with Gatcombe House serving as the Headquarters Officers' Mess.{{cite book |last1=Fernyhough |first1=Alan Henry |title=History of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, 1920-1945 |date=1967 |publisher=RAOC |page=20}} During the Second World War the site was used by the United States Army.{{cite web|url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/heritage/home-to-the-army-too-1-4907391|title=Home to the army too|date=17 March 2013|publisher=The News|accessdate=4 December 2016}} The RAOC moved their regimental depot to Feltham Barracks in 1946 and vacated the site entirely on 31 March 1962.{{cite book |last1=Steer |first1=Brigadier Frank |title=To The Warrior His Arms: the story of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps 1918-1993 |date=2005 |publisher=Pen & Sword |location=Barnsley, S. Yorks.}}

The buildings, which had undergone various improvements and changes of use over the years, were demolished to make way for the "Gatcombe Park" housing development in 1965. The Victorian riding school, built for the Royal Artillery in the 1890s and some of the walls which enclosed the barracks still survive.Mitchell, p. 30

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• {{cite book |title=Hilsea Lines and Portsbridge |last=Mitchell |first=Garry |year=1988 |isbn=0-947605-06-1}}

Category:Barracks in England

Category:Installations of the British Army