MOD Corsham

The War Office bought a section of the Pockeridge estate to provide space for Basil Hill Barracks in 1936.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-384000-168000/page/5|title=Basil Hill Barracks|publisher=BBC|access-date=15 April 2014}}{{cite report |url=http://corsham.thehumanjourney.net/pdfs/MODCOVBA_MOD_Corsham_Indesign_Report_240310.pdf |title=MOD Corsham, Wiltshire – Values Study |last=Phimester |first=Jane |publisher=English Heritage |date=March 2010 |access-date=5 February 2019}}{{cite report |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/324883/Corsham_Tunnel_version1.pdf |title=Corsham tunnels – A brief history |id=BTH 0002777 |publisher=Defence Equipment and Support |year=2006 |access-date=5 February 2019}} The barracks were used by 15 Company Royal Army Ordnance Corps as the administrative headquarters for a Central Ammunitions Depot serving the south of England, known as CAD Corsham or CAD Monkton Farleigh.{{cite web|url=http://british-army-units1945on.co.uk/royal-army-ordnance-corps/depots.html|title=Central Ammunition Depot Corsham|publisher=British Army units 1945 on|access-date=5 February 2019}}{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YtsDAAAAMAAJ|title=History of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, 1920-1945|author1=Alan Henry Fernyhough|author2=Henry Edward David Harris|publisher=Royal Army Ordnance Corps|year=1966|location=Blackdown|page=59}} The depot closed in 1964,{{cite web|url=https://unidoc.wiltshire.gov.uk/UniDoc/Document/File/MTQvMTEzNTQvT1VULDU2Mzg2MQ==|title=DE&S Rudloe: explosive Ordnance Risk Assessment|date=March 2010|website=Wiltshire Council|publisher=Defence Equipment & Support|page=7|access-date=6 February 2019}} although the site was retained by the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and was still used as the headquarters of their Territorial Army section in the 1980s.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=1820-rao&cid=541#541|title=Headquarters RAOC Territorial Army, Basil Hill Barracks, Corsham|access-date=15 April 2014}}

The site had two significant older buildings. Pockeridge House, to the east of the site, has origins in the 18th century, with additions including coach houses, stables and a walled garden; it was used as the Officers' Mess.{{cite web|url=https://www.pastscape.org.uk/hob.aspx?hob_id=1531559&sort=4&search=all&criteria=bow+stone&rational=q&recordsperpage=10&p=6&move=n&nor=71&recfc=0|title=Pockeridge House|work=Pastscape|publisher=Historic England|access-date=5 February 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.films.mod.uk/south_west/corsham.htm|archive-url=https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20080911063428/http://www.films.mod.uk/south_west/corsham.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-09-11|title=MoD Film Locations: Corsham: Pockeridge House|date=2008|website=The National Archives|access-date=11 February 2019}} Sandhurst Block is a substantial two-storey office building which was built in 1938, reputedly in the style of a monastery to disguise the site's use.{{cite web |url=https://unidoc.wiltshire.gov.uk/UniDoc/Document/File/Ti8wNy8wMTYxNC9GVUwsMTI0ODAwMQ== |title=Supporting Planning Statement – Redevelopment of Basil Hill Site, Corsham |publisher=Ministry of Defence |date=8 June 2007 |access-date=10 February 2019}}

From 1998, Corsham was the headquarters of the newly created Defence Communication Services Agency, taking over from the Navy, Army and RAF which had dealt with their own communications. The site was then sometimes called DCSA Corsham.{{cite news |url=https://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/7409361.agencys-new-role-welcomed-by-chiefs/ |title=Agency's new role welcomed by chiefs |website=Gazette & Herald |location=Trowbridge |date=15 April 2000 |access-date=10 February 2019}} In 2007 the DCSA was subsumed into Information Systems & Services (ISS) within Defence Equipment and Support.{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldhansrd/text/70328-wms0007.htm|title=Ministry of Defence: Agency Changes|publisher=Hansard|date=28 March 2007|access-date=10 February 2019}}

In 2019 Information Systems & Services and a number of organisations were brought together as Defence Digital, with an annual budget of over £2 billion and about 2,400 staff including military, civil servants and contractors, led by the Ministry of Defence chief information officer Charles Forte.{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/defence-digital |title=Defence Digital |date=23 January 2020 |website=gov.uk |publisher=Defence Digital |access-date=23 January 2020 |quote=Defence Digital brought together and replaced a number of organisations, including Information Systems and Services (ISS) in 2019.}}{{cite news |url=https://www.cio.com/article/3525212/ministry-of-defence-cio-charles-forte-interview-digitising-warfare-in-the-information-age.html |title=Ministry of Defence CIO Charles Forte interview - Digitising Warfare in the Information Age |last=Qualtrough |first=Edward |work=CIO |date=16 December 2019 |access-date=5 April 2020}}

File:Defence Digital, MOD Corsham, visit by Commander Strategic Command 2022.jpg to Defence Digital in 2022]]

Located on the former Basil Hill Barracks site, MOD Corsham is the product of a £690 million development project that was completed at the end of 2011.{{cite web|url = http://www.gazetteandherald.co.uk/news/9074984.The_new___690_million_central_communications_centre_in_Corsham/|title = The new £690 million central communications centre in Corsham|publisher = |date = 11 June 2011|access-date = 5 November 2015|website = Gazette & Herald|first = Mike|last = Wilkinson}}{{cite web|date=2010-08-13|title=Corsham project will make Defence connections more efficient|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/corsham-project-will-make-defence-connections-more-efficient|access-date=2013-04-07|publisher=GOV.UK}} The site is home to the Ministry of Defence's Global Operations Security Control Centre (GOSCC),{{cite report |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmdfence/106/106we05.htm |title=Defence and Cyber-Security - The Global Operations Security Control Centre (GOSCC) |publisher=UK Parliament |work=House of Commons Defence Committee |page=Ev w48, w57 |date=18 December 2012 |access-date=5 February 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/9078320.nerve-centre-based-in-wiltshires-leafy-lanes-at-corsham/ |title=Nerve centre based in Wiltshire's leafy lanes at Corsham |last=Wilkinson |first=Mike |website=Wiltshire Times |date=14 June 2011 |access-date=5 February 2019}} the Joint Security Co-ordination Centre (JSyCC),{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/defence-security-and-assurance-services-defence-industry-list-x |title=Defence Security and Assurance Services: defence industry/list X - Detailed guidance |publisher=GOV.UK |date=2013-02-07 |access-date=2013-04-07}} and Defence Digital. In 2012, GOSCC monitored and managed over 500,000 configurable IT assets in its "Operate and Defend" mission over MOD networks.{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmdfence/106/106we05.htm |title=Sixth Report, Defence and Cyber-Security - The Global Operations Security Control Centre (GOSCC) |publisher=UK Parliament |work=Defence Select Committee |date=18 December 2012 |access-date=22 April 2022}}

For the Army Reserve, the site has two multi-service units under JFC DD which recruit nationwide: the Land Information Assurance Group and a Joint Cyber Unit.{{Cite web|url=https://apply.army.mod.uk/what-we-offer/reserve-soldier/army-reserve-units|title=Army Reserve units|website=British Army|access-date=11 February 2019}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/signals/35432.aspx|title=Central Reserve Headquarters Royal Signals (CRHQ)|date=2016|website=British Army|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117001321/http://www.army.mod.uk/signals/35432.aspx|archive-date=17 January 2016|url-status=dead}}

The Corsham New Environment programme was initiated in 2001, to modernise the three sites around MoD Corsham with their 118 old buildings and {{convert|350|acre}} of underground facilities. The programme was approved in 2004, business case approved in 2006, and a 25-year £690 million Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract placed in 2008 with the Inteq Consortium, a joint-venture between John Laing and Interserve. Two sites – the manor itself at RAF Rudloe Manor north, and Copenacre – were sold{{cite journal|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/33829/desider_36_May2011.pdf |title=Corsham - the new environment is open for business |pages=25–27 |publisher=Defence Equipment and Support |journal=Desider |issue=36 |date=May 2011 |access-date=5 February 2019}} and the more efficient new site required 370 fewer operational staff.{{cite news |url=https://www.apm.org.uk/news/corsham-new-environment-programme/ |title=Corsham New Environment Programme |website=Association for Project Management |date=21 March 2012 |access-date=5 February 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.laing.com/news/40/27/Inteq-reaches-Financial-Close-on-Corsham-Defence-PFI.html |title=Inteq reaches Financial Close on Corsham Defence PFI |publisher=John Laing |date=5 August 2008 |access-date=5 February 2019}}

Construction began in 2010 and the first staff moved in in 2011. The new Global Operations and Security Control Centre (GOSCC) building was built over the capped large Queen Mary vent to the underground facilities below. New accommodation for 180 service personnel and a sports hall were also built. Remediation works were carried out to the underground facilities.{{cite news |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmdfence/760/760vw.pdf |title=The Performance of the Ministry of Defence 2009-10 |page=Ev w68 |publisher=UK Parliament |work=House of Commons Defence Committee |date=22 June 2011 |access-date=5 February 2019}} About 2,200 personnel, including industry partners, were expected to work at the site.{{cite web |url=https://www.abbeybusinessinteriors.co.uk/projects/case-study-single/corsham-cdp |title=Corsham CDP - Basil Hill Site |publisher=Abbey Business Interiors |access-date=11 April 2020}}

The programme was part of the Defence Equipment and Support 'PACE' (Performance, Agility, Confidence and Efficiency) business improvement programme to consolidate many of its staff within the Bristol and Bath area around its major MoD Abbey Wood site.{{cite journal |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/433984/desider_21_Jan10.pdf |title=Delivering the Blueprint |pages=11, 34–35 |publisher=Defence Equipment and Support |journal=Desider |issue=21 |date=January 2010 |access-date=5 February 2019}}

The south-west of the site, both under and above ground, formerly part of RAF Rudloe Manor south, has been used to house data centres by Ark Data Centres{{cite web |url=https://www.colo-x.com/data-centre/ark-data-centres-spring-park-campus/ |title=Ark Data Centres, Spring Park, Westwells Rd, Corsham, SN13 9GB |website=Colocation Exchange |access-date=22 October 2021}} and their joint partnership with the UK Government, Crown Hosting Data Centres.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2009/nov/11/data-server-farms |title=Secrets of the data bunker |last=Jha |first=Alok |newspaper=The Guardian |date=11 November 2009 |access-date=5 February 2019}}{{cite news |url=http://swindon-business.net/index.php/2015/03/23/government-selects-ark-data-centres-for-major-joint-venture-as-it-looks-to-slash-millions-off-it-bill/ |title=Government selects Ark Data Centres for major joint venture as it looks to slash millions off IT bill |website=Swindon Business |date=23 March 2015 |access-date=5 February 2019}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/03/12/ark_bags_700m_gov_data_centre_deal_sources/ |title=Ark scoops £700m to host ALL UK.gov's data centre needs |last=Hall |first=Kat |newspaper=The Register |date=12 March 2015 |access-date=5 February 2019}}

In addition to GOSCC, JSyCC and JFC DD, MOD Corsham is home to several more MoD units, among them 11th Signal Brigade's 10th Signal Regiment{{Cite web|url=https://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Army2020_Report.pdf|title=Army 2020 Report|date=July 2013|website=British Army|page=12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610215557/https://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/Army2020_Report.pdf|archive-date=10 June 2014|url-status=}} including its reserve unit 81 Signal Squadron; and 233 (Global Communication Networks) Signal Squadron (now part of the re-activated 13th Signal Regiment. The United Kingdom National Distribution Agency (UKNDA) and Electronic Messaging Service (email and secure dial-up) are also on the site.{{cite web |url=https://acasestudy.com/uk-mod/ |title=Boldon James - UK MOD |publisher=ACaseStudy.com |date=October 2002 |access-date=10 February 2019}} The site served as the headquarters of the British Army's 2nd (National Communications) Signal Brigade until it was disbanded in 2012.The Signal Officer in Chief's message on change for the Corps, dated 19 September 2011

In April 2016, a new Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) "to protect the MOD's cyberspace from malicious actors" was announced at MOD Corsham, with a budget of over £40 million. The Operations Centre was to work alongside the planned civilian National Cyber Security Centre.{{cite web|title=Defence Secretary announces £40m Cyber Security Operations Centre|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-secretary-announces-40m-cyber-security-operations-centre|publisher=Ministry of Defence|access-date=2 April 2016|date=1 April 2016}}{{cite news|last=Hammick|first=Murray|date=30 October 2018|title=The Budget and Defence|newspaper=The Military Times|location=London|url=https://www.themilitarytimes.co.uk/uncategorised/the-budget-and-defence/|access-date=7 May 2020}}

Airbus Defence and Space (previously Paradigm Secure Communications) have a base a few hundred metres north of the site to support the Skynet 5 private finance initiative satellite operations contract, in partnership with Defence Digital.{{cite report |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/33822/desider_42_Nov2011v2_0.pdf |title=Reacher is a highlight of Paradigm factfinder |page=17 |publisher=Defence Equipment and Support |work=desider |issue=42 |date=November 2011 |access-date=11 February 2019}} The Corsham Computer Centre, a Royal Navy submarine support unit, is a few hundred metres north-east of MoD Corsham.{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/6D72820F-7295-4EB7-858C-E86853A7D341/0/desider_21_Jan10.pdf |title=Chiller project tackles environment and efficiency |work=desider |publisher=Ministry of Defence |date=January 2010 |page=33 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207021130/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/433984/desider_21_Jan10.pdf |archive-date=7 February 2019}}

File:Paintings Corsham underground factory canteen, by Olga Lehmann.webp]]

A number of the underground facilities under MOD Corsham are scheduled monuments relating to Cold War history, including parts of the Central Government War Headquarters (CGWHQ). Additionally a number of underground murals painted by Olga Lehmann during World War II are Grade II* listed. East to west they are:

• Tunnel Quarry{{NHLE |num=1409857 |desc=MoD CORSHAM: Tunnel Quarry |grade=Scheduled Monument}}
• Slope Shaft (Emergency Exit) A{{NHLE |num=1409125 |desc=MoD CORSHAM: Slope Shaft (Emergency Exit) A |grade=Scheduled Monument|fewer-links=yes}}
• Kitchen, Canteen, Laundry, Dining and Washroom Areas{{NHLE |num=1409120 |desc=MoD CORSHAM: Kitchen, Canteen, Laundry, Dining and Washroom Areas |grade=Scheduled Monument|fewer-links=yes}}
• Prime Minister's Rooms and Operations Rooms{{NHLE |num=1409131 |desc=MoD CORSHAM: Prime Minister's Rooms and Operations Rooms |grade=Scheduled Monument|fewer-links=yes}}
• Radio Studio{{NHLE |num=1409123 |desc=MoD CORSHAM: Radio Studio |grade=Scheduled Monument|fewer-links=yes}}
• GPO Telephone Exchange{{NHLE |num=1409129 |desc=MoD CORSHAM: GPO Telephone Exchange |grade=Scheduled Monument|fewer-links=yes}}
• Lamson Terminus Room and associated Fan Room{{NHLE |num=1409121 |desc=MoD CORSHAM: Lamson Terminus Room and associated Fan Room |grade=Scheduled Monument|fewer-links=yes}}
• Quarry Operations Centre (QOC) Murals{{NHLE |num=1409132 |desc=MoD CORSHAM: Quarry Operations Centre (QOC) Murals |grade=II*|fewer-links=yes}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

Category:Military communications of the United Kingdom

Category:Installations of the British Army

Corsham

Category:Corsham

Category:Military history of Wiltshire

Category:Scheduled monuments in Wiltshire

Category:1936 establishments in England