Larkhill

Before the military garrison was established the area was known as Lark Hill, part of Durrington Down, owing to it being the highest point in the parish.Crowley 1995, p.175 After the first military buildings were established, it came to be known as Larkhill Camp.Crowley 1995, p.184

File:Larkhill - St Alban The Martyr - geograph.org.uk - 1717810.jpg]]

Much of Larkhill lies within the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, an area rich in Neolithic and Bronze Age monuments. Several long barrows and round barrow groups are located within the settlement. Robin Hood's Ball, the Stonehenge Cursus and the Lesser Cursus lie close to the garrison.{{cite book| last = Richards| first = Julian| author-link = Julian C. Richards | title = The Stonehenge Environs Project | publisher = English Heritage| year = 1979| pages = 72–92 | isbn = 1-85074-269-3}}

The first modern settlement came in 1899, when a tented camp was established for units training on an area of Salisbury Plain that became known as Larkhill range. Units were accommodated in large official campsite areas whilst training throughout the summer.James 1987, p.123Clarke-Smith 1969 As Larkhill range was designated for artillery practice, many of the units were artillery batteries. In 1914, the first permanent huts were built on the down.

During the First World War, 34 battalion-sized hutted garrisons were built for use by all types of military forces. A light military railway line was built from the established Amesbury–Bulford line, to carry troops to Larkhill and on to Stonehenge AerodromeJames 1987, p.125 and Lake Down (near Berwick St James).{{Historic England research records|mnumber=19191|desc=Lake Down Airfield|access-date=25 October 2021}}

After the war, the garrison became an artillery domain and in 1919 the Royal School of Artillery was established there. The light railway was lifted and the aerodromes were closed. However, several other new facilities were established in the interwar years, including a military hospital, married quarters at Strangways, a NAAFI service and military churches. The famed British Ordnance QF 25-pounder was developed by the school of artillery shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War.

The Garrison Church of St Alban the Martyr was built in 1937 and replaced an earlier wooden church.{{National Heritage List for England|num=1428757|desc=Church of St Alban the Martyr|access-date=29 July 2016|fewer-links=yes}}{{cite web|title=Larkhill Garrison Church|website=Salisbury Plain Garrison Churches|url=http://www.spgchurches.org.uk/larkhillgarrisonchurch.htm|access-date=29 July 2016}}

During the Second World War War, the garrison was extended again, although primarily for artillery units. The 21st Independent Parachute Company of the 1st Airborne Division was also formed there.James 1987, p.140

After the Second World War, many of the hutted buildings were replaced with modern structures. The Royal School of Artillery's garrison was rebuilt and permanently established at the site. The Officers' Mess (built 1936–41, designed by William A Ross, Chief Architect to the War Office) is now a Grade II listed building.{{National Heritage List for England|num=1428799|desc=Royal Artillery Officers' Mess and Quarters|access-date=28 July 2016}} A new event was started in 1962 to showcase the military's artillery technology – originally named Larkhill Day, it evolved into Royal Artillery Day in 1970.{{cite web|title=The Royal Regiment of Artillery - Aide-Mémoire|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/ra_regt_aidemem.pdf|access-date=28 July 2016}}James 1987, p.139

A primary school opened at Larkhill in 1962.{{cite web|website=Wiltshire Community History|title=Larkhill Primary School|url=https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/School/Details/1022|publisher=Wiltshire Council|access-date=29 July 2016}}

File:Memorial outside Sonehenge Visitors' Centre.JPG

In 1909, Horatio Barber, a flying enthusiast, rented a small piece of land in Larkhill. He built a shed to house his new aeroplane, and was soon joined by more enthusiasts. Among these were George Bertram Cockburn,[https://books.google.com/books?id=VAn3ySgxNXkC&q=old+flying+days The Old Flying Days] Turner ,Charles Cyril, (1972), page 200, Arno Press, {{ISBN|0-405-03783-X}}, a pioneer aviator, and Captain John Fulton who served with an artillery brigade, and it was partly as a result of their interest that the War Office quickly realised the importance of aircraft and founded the first army aerodrome in Larkhill in 1910.James 1987, p.163{{Cite web |url=http://www.this-is-amesbury.co.uk/military.html |title=Aviation on Salisbury Plain |access-date=11 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531181931/http://www.this-is-amesbury.co.uk/military.html |archive-date=31 May 2009 |url-status=dead }} Several more huts were built and a three-bay hangar was constructed by the British and Colonial Aeroplane Company, a forerunner of British Aerospace. In 1911, No. 2 Company of the Air Battalion Royal Engineers was established at Larkhill, the first flying unit of the armed forces to use aeroplanes as opposed to balloons. This evolved into No. 3 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps in May 1912, the first RFC squadron to use aeroplanes.James 1987, p.165

July 1912 saw the first fatal air crash in the RFC. Captain Eustace Loraine and his observer, Staff-Sergeant R.H.V. Wilson, were killed when they crashed west of Stonehenge after flying from Larkhill aerodrome. A memorial was erected near the A303, and moved to a site near the Stonehenge visitors' centre in 2013.

{{National Heritage List for England | num= 1242829 | desc= Airmen's Cross near Stonehenge | access-date= 30 July 2016 | fewer-links= yes}} The nearby junction of the A360 with the former A344 is known as Airman's Corner or Airman's Cross.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/airmans-cross-vmtrjpcj5wl|title=Airman's Cross|work=The Times|date=23 August 2013|access-date=23 May 2020}}

In August 1912, the first Military Aeroplane Trials were held at Larkhill aerodrome.James 1987, p.166 Several aeroplanes including the Avro Type G and the Bristol Gordon England biplane were entered, and the competition was won by Samuel Franklin Cody in his Cody V aircraft.

{{cite web

| title= Cody's Kites and Flying Machines

| work= Aldershot Military Museum

| publisher= Hampshire County Council

| url= http://www3.hants.gov.uk/museum/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/samuel-franklin-cody/kites-and-flying-machines.htm

| access-date= 25 October 2008

| url-status= dead

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090201172141/http://www3.hants.gov.uk/museum/aldershot-museum/local-history-aldershot/samuel-franklin-cody/kites-and-flying-machines.htm

| archive-date= 1 February 2009

| df= dmy-all

}}

The aerodrome was closed in 1914 and hutted garrisons were built over the airstrip. The original BCAC hangar, the oldest surviving aerodrome building in the UK, is at the corner of Woods Road and Fargo Road. It was given Grade II* listed building status in 2005.

{{cite web

| last= Prudames

| first= David

| title= Historic First & Second World War Airfields granted listed status

| publisher= 24 Hour Museum

| url= http://www.culture24.org.uk/history+%26+heritage/war+%26+conflict/art32177

| access-date= 25 October 2008

}}

{{NHLE

| num= 1391475

| desc= Buildings 455 and 456 (Five Aircraft Hangars), Durrington Camp

| grade= II*

| access-date= 1 October 2012

| fewer-links= yes

}}

Larkhill Garrison is controlled by Headquarters South West based at Jellalabad Barracks, Tidworth Camp.{{cite web|title=HQ Organisations and functions|url=http://www2.army.mod.uk/4div/43_bde_home/organisation.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626060620/http://www.army.mod.uk/4div/43_bde_home/organisation.htm|archive-date=26 June 2007|access-date=25 October 2008|publisher=MoD}}{{cite web|last=Wynn|first=Peter|title=MOD buys back ABRO site from the Agency|url=http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/newsletters/wiltshire-and-swindon.htm#section-1788|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923081521/http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/newsletters/wiltshire-and-swindon.htm|archive-date=23 September 2006|access-date=25 October 2008|work=South West RDA}} The following units are based at the garrison:{{Cite web|date=16 October 2019|title=Army Basing Programme, PAC Information Leaflet – Issue 16 October 2019|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/umbraco/Surface/Download/Get/13170|access-date=10 July 2020|website=army.mod.uk}}{{Cite web|date=2007-06-26|title=43 Brigade - Organisation & Functions and Future Garrisons|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/4div/43_bde_home/organisation.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626060620/http://www.army.mod.uk/4div/43_bde_home/organisation.htm|archive-date=26 June 2007|access-date=2020-07-10}}{{Cite web|date=18 January 2019|title=Army Basing Programme for Wiltshire|url=https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/documents/s156489/Army%20Rebasing%20update.pdf|access-date=10 July 2020|website=cms.wiltshire.gov.uk}}{{Cite web|date=10 July 2019|title=Army Basing Programme, SPTA SFA Information Leaflet – Issue 10 July 2019|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/umbraco/Surface/Download/Get/11757|access-date=10 July 2020|website=army.mod.uk}}

• Royal Artillery Barracks, Larkhill
• Headquarters, Royal Artillery{{Cite web|title=Larkhill|url=https://aspiredefence.co.uk/project-allenby-connaught/garrisons/larkhill/|access-date=2020-07-11|website=Aspire Defence Limited}}{{Cite web|title=Royal Artillery|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-artillery/|access-date=2020-07-11|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}
• 221 (Wessex) Battery, Royal Artillery{{Cite web|date=3 December 2013|title=Summary of Army 2020 Reserve Structure and Basing Changes|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/20130703-SUMMARY_OF_ARMY_2020_RESERVE_STRUCTURE_AND_BASING.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203193356/http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/20130703-SUMMARY_OF_ARMY_2020_RESERVE_STRUCTURE_AND_BASING.pdf|archive-date=3 December 2013|access-date=10 July 2020|website=www.army.mod.uk}}
• Royal Artillery Centre for Personal Development, at Royal Artillery Barracks{{Cite web|title=Royal Artillery Centre for Personal Development (RACPD)|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-artillery/royal-artillery-centre-for-personal-development-racpd/|access-date=2020-07-11|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}
• Royal School of Artillery, at Royal Artillery Barracks{{Cite web|title=The Royal School of Artillery|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/our-schools-and-colleges/artillery/|access-date=2020-07-11|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}
• 14th Regiment, Royal Artillery, at Royal Artillery Barracks{{Cite web|title=14 Regiment Royal Artillery|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-artillery/14-regiment-royal-artillery/|access-date=2020-07-11|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}
• Purvis Lines
• 26th Regiment, Royal Artillery{{Cite web|title=26 Regiment Royal Artillery|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-artillery/26-regiment-royal-artillery/|access-date=2020-07-11|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}
• 19th Regiment, Royal Artillery{{cite web|title=Army 2020 |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Army2020_Report.pdf |access-date=10 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610215557/https://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Army2020_Report.pdf |archive-date=10 June 2014}}
• 1st Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery
• Roberts Barracks
• 32nd Regiment, Royal Artillery{{Cite web|title=32 Regiment Royal Artillery|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-artillery/32-regiment-royal-artillery/|access-date=2020-07-11|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|date=1 November 2018|title=Location and Work Force Requirement of British Army Units, By Corps|url=http://qna.files.parliament.uk/qna-attachments/1012385/original/194616_Answer_Table_Order_Of_Battle.pdf|access-date=10 July 2020|website=www.parliament.uk}}
• Horne Barracks
• 47th Regiment Royal, Royal Artillery{{Cite web|title=47 Regiment Royal Artillery|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-artillery/47-regiment-royal-artillery/|access-date=2020-07-11|website=www.army.mod.uk|language=en-GB}}
• Unknown Barracks
• 12 Army Education Centre{{cite web|url=https://www.modelc.com/Templates/Documents/ARMY_Contact_List.pdf|title=Local ARMY Individual Education and Resettlement Officers|page=1|access-date=24 February 2021}}

{{Weather box

| width = auto

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| location = Larkhill (1991–2020)

| Jan high C = 7.5

| Feb high C = 7.9

| Mar high C = 10.5

| Apr high C = 13.4

| May high C = 16.7

| Jun high C = 19.6

| Jul high C = 21.8

| Aug high C = 21.3

| Sep high C = 18.6

| Oct high C = 14.5

| Nov high C = 10.5

| Dec high C = 7.9

| year high C = 14.2

| Jan low C = 1.6

| Feb low C = 1.5

| Mar low C = 2.9

| Apr low C = 4.4

| May low C = 7.3

| Jun low C = 10.0

| Jul low C = 12.0

| Aug low C = 12.1

| Sep low C = 9.9

| Oct low C = 7.5

| Nov low C = 4.2

| Dec low C = 2.0

| year low C = 6.3

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 83.4

| Feb rain mm = 58.0

| Mar rain mm = 54.5

| Apr rain mm = 54.0

| May rain mm = 50.0

| Jun rain mm = 55.1

| Jul rain mm = 57.0

| Aug rain mm = 61.0

| Sep rain mm = 60.1

| Oct rain mm = 87.6

| Nov rain mm = 89.8

| Dec rain mm = 87.7

| year rain mm = 798.7

| unit rain days = 1 mm

| Jan rain days = 12.6

| Feb rain days = 10.6

| Mar rain days = 10.0

| Apr rain days = 9.6

| May rain days = 9.0

| Jun rain days = 8.9

| Jul rain days = 9.1

| Aug rain days = 10.2

| Sep rain days = 9.0

| Oct rain days = 12.1

| Nov rain days = 13.1

| Dec rain days = 12.7

| year rain days = 127.3

| source 1 = Met Office{{cite web

|url = https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/uk-climate-averages/gcneqbvek

|title = Larkhill (Wiltshire) UK climate averages - Met Office

|publisher = Met Office

|access-date = July 5, 2024}}

}}

The comic book V for Vendetta (and its film adaptation) featured a fictional detention centre at Larkhill, where minorities and enemies of the fascist state were eliminated. The writer, Alan Moore, said that he chose Larkhill because of the obvious military connections, but also because of a particularly unpleasant hitchhiking trip that he had around the area.{{cite book | last1 = Moore | first1 = Alan | author-link1 = Alan Moore |last2=Lloyd|first2= David|author-link2= David Lloyd (comics) | title = V for Vendetta | publisher = Titan Books | year = 2005 | location = London | page = 274 | isbn = 1-84576-182-0}}

In May 1965, a scene from the Beatles' feature film Help! was filmed at Knighton Down, near the Larkhill army base. The scene included troops of Royal Artillery.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2009/03/09/the_beatles_on_salisbury_plain_feature.shtml |title=The Beatles on Salisbury Plain|publisher=BBC, Rock 'n' Roll Wiltshire|access-date=22 April 2024}}

• Early Birds of Aviation
• No. 3 Squadron RAF
• Royal Flying Corps

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book |author1=Crowley, D.A. |author2=Pugh, R.B. |author3=Stevenson, J.H. |year=1995 |title=A history of Amesbury, Bulford, and Durrington |publisher=Wiltshire County Council |location=Trowbridge |isbn=0-86080-444-5}}
• {{cite book |last=James |first=N.D.G. |year=1987 |title=Plain Soldiering |publisher=HobNob Press |location=Salisbury |isbn=0-946418-03-9}}
• {{cite web |last=Clarke-Smith |first=E. |year=1969 |title=Salisbury Plain: An historical introduction |work=Drumbeat |url=http://www.drumbeat.org.uk/salisburyplain_history.htm |access-date=25 October 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907200632/http://www.drumbeat.org.uk/salisburyplain_history.htm |archive-date=7 September 2008}}

{{Commons category inline}}

• [https://www.durringtontowncouncil.gov.uk/ Durrington Town Council]
• [https://apps.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityhistory/Community/Index/84 Wiltshire Council — Wiltshire Community History – Durrington] includes a discussion of Larkhill

{{Wiltshire}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Villages in Wiltshire