Beachley Barracks

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.

Beachley Barracks
Beachley, Gloucestershire in England
Entrance to Beachley Barracks
Beachley Barracks is located in Gloucestershire
Beachley Barracks
Beachley Barracks
Shown within Gloucestershire
Coordinates51°37′13″N 002°39′11″W
TypeBarracks
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
Operator British Army
Site history
Built1915 (1915)
In use1915–present
Garrison information
Occupants1st Battalion, The Rifles

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.[1]

The 1st Battalion, The Rifles moved to the barracks in 2007.[2]

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.[2]

Future

In November 2016, the Ministry of Defence announced that the site would close in 2027;[3] this was later extended to 2029.[4]

Current units

Only one unit is currently stationed at the barracks:

References
  1. "Army Apprentices College, Chepstow – History". Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  2. "Riflemen bid fond farewell to South East Wales – for now | The British Army".
  3. "A Better Defence Estate" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  4. "Disposal database: House of Commons report". Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  5. "Barracks set to close as part of armed forces cutbacks". Chepstow Beacon. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  6. "The Rifles – Regimental overview". British Army. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
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