Graeme

Presumably still in existance, Google revealing that it is now home to John Branthwaite Ltd, a supplier of laundry and dry cleaning supplies.

John

Graeme

Continuing my research on pubs with military connections I have:

The Drill Hall Vaults
1 Newland Street
Derby.

Can you tell me which unit(s) might be connected with the building?


Dave

Dave

This pub is round the corner from the site of the drill hall in Becket street, home of the 5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbyshire Regiment) in 1914; 'head quarters [plus A, B, C & D Cos.], Royal Drill hall, Becket street.’

The drill hall's gone; replaced by, if memory serves, a telephone exchange or sorting office, but the pub's still there.

Hope this helps.

Thanks, John.

I occasionally chuck something into Google, but I hadn't done this one.

3600 entries in the database would take up some time.....

Thanks for finding this for me.

Graeme

Graeme
Many thanks just what I needed.
Dave

Hello all,
Just noticed this while browsing the site. Anyway here are the addresses of the Drill Halls extracted from "Robert Wards Naval & Military Directory for Newcastle & Durham - July 1910";-
Northumberland Hussars;-
H.Q. & 'A' Sqdn - Riding School, Northumberland Rd, Newcastle.
'B' Sqdn - Woodside House, South Shields.
'C' Sqdn - Fenwick Grove, Morpeth.
'D' Sqdn - Causey Hill Farm, Hexham.

1st Northumbrian Bde, R.F.A.(T.F.);-
H.Q. - Drill Hall, Barrack Rd, Newcastle.
1st & 2nd Northumberland Bty's - Drill Hall, Barrack Rd, Newcastle.
3nd Northumberland Bty - Drill Hall, Dunn St, Newcastle.
1st Northumbrian Ammunition Column - Drill Hall, Barrack Rd, Newcastle.

Northumbrian Divisional Royal Engineers(T.F.);-
H.Q. - Barras Bridge, Newcastle.
1st & 2nd Northumbrian Field Coy's - Barras Bridge, Newcastle.
Northern Divisional Telegraph Coy - Barras Bridge, Newcastle.

6th Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers(T.F.);-
H.Q. - St.Georges Drill Hall, Newcastle.
'A'; 'B'; 'C'; 'D'; 'E'; 'F'; 'G' & 'H' Coy's - St.Georges Drill Hall, Newcastle.

Northumbrian Divisional Transport & Supply Column, A.S.C.(T.F.);-
H.Q. - St.Georges Drill Hall, Newcastle.
Divisional(H.Q.)Coy & Northumberland Bde Coy - St.Georges Drill Hall, Newcastle.
Durham L.I. Bde Coy - Drill Hall, The Green, Sunderland.

Northumbrian Division, R.A.M.C.(T.F.);-
1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance - Cambridge Hall, Newcastle.
1st Northern General Hospital - Cambridge Hall, Newcastle.
Northumbrian School of Instruction - Cambridge Hall, Newcastle.

Northern Cyclist Battalion;-
H.Q. - 7 Ridley Place, Newcastle(temporary).
'A' & 'B' Coy's - Drill Hall, Southwick, Sunderland.
'C' Coy - Drill Hall, Naval Barracks, Hartlepool.
'D' Coy - Chester-le-Street(temporary).
'E' & 'H' Coy's - Cambridge Hall, Newcastle.
'F' Coy - Drill Hall, Gosforth.
'G' Coy - Drill Hall, Whitley Bay.

7th Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers(T.F.);-
H.Q. & 'D' Coy - 14 Fenckle St, Alnwick.
'A' Coy - Copper Chare, Morpeth.
'B' Coy - Drill Hall, Ashington.
'C' Coy - Armoury, High St, Belford.
'E' Coy - Drill Hall, Amble.
'G' & 'H' Coy's - Ravensdowne, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

6th Bn, Durham L.I.(T.F.);-
H.Q., 'A' & 'B' Coy's - The Drill Hall, Union St, Bishop Auckland.
'C' Coy - The Armoury, Spennymoor.
'D' Coy - The Armoury, Crook.
'E' Coy - The Armoury, Stanhope.
'F' Coy - The Armoury, King St, Barnard Castle.
'G' & 'H' Coy's - The Armoury, Edith St, Consett.

3rd Northumbrian(County of Durham)Bde,R.F.A.(T.F.);-
2nd Durham Bty(right half battery) - The Barracks, Gilesgate, Durham City.

Durham L.I. Infantry Bde;-
H.Q. - Old Elvet, Durham City.

8th Bn, Durham L.I.(T.F.);-
H.Q.; 'A' & 'B' Coy's - Drill Hall, Gilesgate, Durham City.
'C' Coy - Lumley Tce, Chester-le-Street.
'D' Coy - Drill Hall, Birtley.
'E' Coy - The Armoury, Beamish.
'F' Coy - Drill Hall, Stanley.
'G' Coy - The Armoury's, Washington & Houghton-le-Spring.
'H' Coy - Drill Hall, Hamsteels.

Durham(Fortress)R.E.(T.F.);-
No.3 Coy - Drill Hall, Elm Grove, Alexandra Rd, Gatshead.

9th Bn, Durham L.I.(T.F.);-
H.Q.; 'A'; 'B'; 'C' & 'D' Coy's - Drill Hall, Burt Tce, Gateshead.
'E' Coy - Drill Hall, Felling.
'F' Coy - Drill Hall, Chopwell.
'G' & 'H' Coy's - Drill Hall, Blaydon.

Northumbrian Divisional Transport & Supply Column, A.S.C.(T.F.);-
Divisional H.Q. Coy - Angus Hall, Gateshead.

4th Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers(T.F.);-
H.Q.; 'A' & 'G' Coy's - The Armoury, Battle Hill, Hexham.
'B' Coy - The Armoury, Bellingham.
'C' Coy - John Martin St, Haydon Bridge.
'D' & 'H' Coy's - The Armoury, 6 Vane Tce, Prudhoe.
'E' Coy - Drill Hall, Corbridge.
'F' Coy - The Armoury, Town Hall Crescent, Haltwhistle.

Durham, R.G.A.(T.F.);-
H.Q. - The Armoury, West Hartlepool.
Heavy Bty; No.I & No.II Coy's - Drill Hall, The Green, Sunderland.
No.III; No.IV; No.V & No.VI Coy's - The Armoury, West Hartlepool.

3rd Northumbrian(County of Durham)Bde,R.F.A.(T.F.);-
3rd Durham Bty - The Armoury, West Hartlepool.

Durham(Fortress)R.E.(T.F.);-
H.Q.; No.1 & No.2 Coy's - Drill Hall, Western Rd, Jarrow.

3rd Northumbrian(County of Durham)Bde,R.F.A.;-
H.Q. & 1st Durham Bty - Drill Hall, Seaham Harbour.
3rd Northumbrian Ammunition Column(Gun Section) - Drill Hall, Seaham Harbour.

4th Northumbrian(County of Durham)(Howitzer)Bde,R.F.A.(T.F.);-
H.Q. & 4th Durham(Howitzer)Bty- Bolingbrooke St, South Shields.
5th Durham(Howitzer)Bty - The Artillery Drill Hall, Hebburn.
4th Northumbrian(County of Durham)(Howitzer)Ammunition Column - Bolingbroke

Hello again,
Damn finger trouble, hit the wrong button(cont'd);-

4th Northumbrian(County of Durham)(Howiter)Ammunition Column - Bolingbroke St, South Shields.

7th Bn, Durham L.I.(T.F.);-
H.Q.; 'A'; 'B'; 'C'; 'D'; 'E' & 'F' Coy's - Drill Hall, Livinstone Rd, Sunderland.
'G' & 'H' Coy's - Stanhope Rd, South Shields.

5th Bn, Durham L.I.(T.F.);-
H.Q.; 'A'; 'B' & 'C' Coy's - Drill Hall, Stockton-on-Tees.
'D'; 'E' & 'H' Coy's - Drill Hall, Darlington.
'F' & 'G' Coy's - Drill Hall, Castle Eden.

Tynemouth R.G.A.(T.F.);-
H.Q.; No.1; No.2; No.3 & No.4 Coy's - Drill Hall, Military Rd, North Shields.
No.5 Coy - Seaton Delaval.
No.6 Coy - Blyth.

Northumberland(Fortress)Coy,R.E.(T.F.);-
Electric Lights Coy - Cliffords Fort, North Shields.

Tyne Division Electrical Engineers(Vols);-
H.Q.; 'A'; 'B'; 'C'; 'D' & 'E' Coy's - Cliffords Fort, North Shields.

5th Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers(T.F.);-
H.Q.; 'A'; 'B' & 'C' Coy's - Drill Hall, Walker.
'D' Coy - Drill Hall, Newburn.
'E' & 'F' Coy's - St.Georges Drill Hall, Wallsend.
'G' & 'H' Coy's - Drill Hall, Gosforth.

THE END - for now at least.

Graham.

Ah, Graham.......

There's some lovely stuff in that list, some I knew, some I didn't, so am very grateful.

But this just illustrates the amount of units, and indeed drill halls, in just two counties. You now understand why I've got 3600 entries in my database.....

It seems "Robert Wards Naval & Military Directory for Newcastle & Durham - July 1910" is a wonderful resource, what else does it contain?

Thanks for taking the time to extract that lot, my day at work tomorrow will be full of serruptitious cross-checking!


Graeme

Graeme,
It also contains the following;-
3rd(Reserve)Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers;-
H.Q. - The Barracks*, Newcastle.

3rd(Reserve)Bn, Durham L.I.;-
H.Q. - The Barracks*, Newcastle.

4th(Extra Reserve)Bn, Durham L.I.;-
H.Q. - The Barracks*, Newcastle.

*Fenham Barracks

Army Motor Reserve of Officers;-
No Address, but possibly the same location as the above.

Durham University O.T.C.;-
H.Q. - College Rd, nr Armstrong College, Newcastle.
'A' Coy - The Castle, Durham City.
'B' Coy - College of Medicine, Newcastle.
'C' & 'D' Coy's - Armstrong College, Newcastle.

North Eastern County School;-
H.Q. - Barnard Castle School

Regular Troops:
Royal Garrison Artillery;-
12th Coy,R.G.A. - Tynemouth Castle, Tynemouth.
47th Coy,R.G.A. - Tynemouth Castle, Tynemouth.

Royal Engineers;-
Tyne Section, 16th Coy(Coast Battalion),R.E. - Cliffords Fort, North Shields.

Army Ordnance Department - Tynemouth Castle, Tynemouth.

You don't want the telephone numbers, as well?

Graham.

Superb, Graham

I take it the phone numbrs are Blaydon 373 and so on?

The first couple of posts filled in some important gaps. Thanks.

You suddenly realise how many units were based round the corner from all of us, and we never really took any notice, till they were gone.

How many of these places survive?

Graeme

Graeme,
I've been in the Drill Halls at Spennymoor, Chester-le-Street and Bishop Auckland, Horden and Hartlepool, but am not sure if they're pre or post WWI, although the first two are as old as the hills.

The one at Gilesgate was demolished about thirty years ago, but under the old stage was found a large pile of scarlet tunics. Gilesgate Barracks are still there.

I believe the one in Stanhope still exists as a community centre and an old one here in Darlington is a gym. St.Georges still exists, as did the one in Gateshead on Alexandra Rd. As for the remainder it's difficult to say.

Are you only bothered about old Drill Halls and T.A. units? The reason I ask is because when I served with 7th Bn, L.I. and 124 Recovery Coy,R.E.M.E., we used to get little folding card's containing the addresses of all the units in the North East. They were printed for budding T.A. recruits to see what units existed in their area and I still have some.

Yes, the phone numbers are exactly like that. 3rd N.F.; 3rd & 4th D.L.I. were "279 City", while the N/land Hussars was "National 621 Central" and so on.

Graham.

Graeme

This is a 'belt and braces' post just in case they are of use to you.

Drill Hall pics currently on E-bay.

Dave

http://images.auctionworks.com/fullView.as.../MAA0868102.jpg

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bygone-Bury-The-Dril...1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Barnsley-Volunteer-D...1QQcmdZViewItem

[quote=HERITAGE PLUS,Sep 1 2005, 02:36 PM]
Graeme

This is a 'belt and braces' post just in case they are of use to you.

Drill Hall pics currently on E-bay.

Dave



Thanks, Dave

I'm bidding on the postcards as Fishgrey.

The Bristol image lacks a little perspective and scale, maybe......

Like the belt and braces bit, caught me with my trousers down!

Thanks for the nod.

Graeme

Graeme
just visited a preserved drill hall for DCLI in Lerryn, a tiny village up river from Fowey, Cornwall. Not much bigger than a garage, and on a road liable to flooding at high tide. Do you want a picture?
Dave

Graeme,

An update on Horncastle. It is now an antiques centre.

from http://www.lincolnshirelife.co.uk/pages/horncastle.html

After the Crimean War the Horncastle Rifle Volunteers was formed in 1859, under Captain Henry Conington and Lt Richard Clitherow. The 800-yard rifle range was laid out from the Oaks Meadow to the stop butt at the end of Champion's Road off Boston Road. The Corps used the Wong and various halls in the town to drill before taking over and adapting the former British School as the Drill Hall. By the turn of the century it was inadequate and a new one was built, also on the Wong, in 1901 (now the Town Hall). It cost £2,500, mainly by local subscription, and had a .22 rifle range and caretaker's house attached. By 1902 G Company was well over 100 strong, had brass and bugle bands and a machine gun section. During the Great War the Drill Hall was used by the Horncastle Voluntary Aid Detachment as a Red Cross Hospital, much of the furniture and equipment being given or lent by local people. Because of the General Strike in 1926, half the 4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (TA), of which the Horncastle Platoon was then part, camped at Horncastle. The UDC allowed free use of the Wong, the swimming baths and land for training.

A photo is available here http://www.horncastlediscovered.com/drillhallantiques.htm

Oh, yes please, Dave!

That would be mighty fine.

Thanks
Graeme

Thanks, Kate.

A nice history, and good to see that the place is still in use for something.

Thanks
Graeme

Graeme,

A suggestion.

Last night, I spent a very long time trawling through this 21 page thread to see if the Horncastle information had already been posted. On the way, I found reference to the Wolverton Drill Hall (where my grandfather enlisted) had already been made by another member, and I had unwittingly duplicated the information several pages on.

So, with the thread getting ever longer (excellent), how about making a cumulative list of drill halls mentioned (perhaps along with thread page numbers too) on the opening post, similar to the one in the Photographs for Fellow Members thread.

It would save much time all round in acting as an easy index to the suceeding pages.

Yours bleary-eyed,

Kate

Now then, Kate, that's a mighty good idea.

I'm in the early stages of developing this lunatic work into a website that will be mostly gaps infilled with spoiled family holidays and Pals' input - watch this space.

But in the interim, yes, I'll see if I can do an index. But there's no such thing as duplication; merely confirmation, which is truly worthwhile.

It's a good feeling to have so many people contribute, because it shows the validity of the project, and the way it engages people, for whatever reason.

So, an index.....


More work, Mrs. Wills, more work......

Graeme

I was afraid you'd say that. I haven't tried uploading pictures to this site before, so please bear with me if it doesn't work first time.

Lerryn Drill Hall. The river can just be seen on the rear left. It's tidal at this point, flowing to Fowey several miles downstream. The hall is in excellent condition, although bearing in mind the wooden structure I'm not sure how authentic it is. There is a war memorial bench nearby, but sadly it just says ' Our Boys' so I have no idea of names. perhaps someone else can help?
Keep up the good work
Dave

Drill HAlls in Hexham

THere is still a TA Drill hall on Battle hill - Architecture would indicate its existence at the time you require. NExt time we are passing we will have a good look. - I am looking into the Northumberland HUssars anyway and am interested in finding out Where D squadron met to drill _ We know roughly where - but as yet not on the ground.

Send me a PM if you want a digital photo of the battle hill site.

Cheers
Stephen

Thanks, Dave, great pictures of probably the smallest drill hall yet!

I suspect that as the unit was 2 Works Company, Cornwall Fortress Royal Engineers, much of their drill was of a practical nature and therefore carried out elsewhere, with a mere nod towards saluting and sloping arms.

Thanks again

Graeme

Hello Stephen

Thanks for the info and offer of a picture, which as always is gratefully accepted.

The Battle Hill premises provided a home for the head quarters and A Company, 4th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers; I have no conclusive proof that D Squadron of the Northumberland Hussars used the drill hall.

Yeomanry units were often based at premises in the town with stabling and facilities for riding instruction, often at the unit's Commanding Officer's country seat. It is quite possible that the drill hall was used for the mundane parts of Yeomanry drill that didn't involve riding.

There's very little information on the Yeomanry and drill halls, so if anyone can suggest a link between the premises and the unit, in whatever town, I'd be very interested.

Graeme

Graeme

Whilst driving through the Staple Hill area of Bristol I noticed down a side street a building that could possibly be an old drill hall - now a small clothing factory.
It is in Wathen Street.

As the access gates were locked I was unable to investigate. Do you have a hall on your data base in this area? Will go back with my camera when next in the area.

Dave

As I understand it the Drill Hall was a Sqdn location with a drill station a troop location ie Wantage for D Sqdn Berks Yeo; The Wallingford Troop of the D Sqdn had a Drill Stn at Wallingford
Andrew French
Berks Yeo Museum

Dave

It's not an entry in the database, and I don't know the area.

What makes you think drill hall?

A photo would be good, I've some nice oddities including a chicken shed, so don't be shy......

Seriously, it's better to have and disprove than miss out.

Thanks mate.

Graeme

Now then, Andrew, you've touched on a problem area for me. The Yeomanry, being horsed, didn't seem to spend any time training as dismounted troops in a drill hall; often they were based at a large country house with stabling and acres to gallop across.

A number of premises were described as, or as having, riding schools.

And you're right with the drill station thing; often the smallest unit of men, half a company or less, gathering in the church hall or market hall. Likewise the Yeomanry. Drill halls tended to be built for a larger body of men.

Anything that could add to this area of understanding would be gratefully received

Graeme

Graeme,
Not sure if this one has come up before, but. In the book "A Soldiers Diary" by Captain H. Raymond Smith, when he joined up in the 1/8th Worcestershire Regiment it states "So inspired was I by this martial spectacle that I enlisted in the 8th Worcesters on the following Saturday, August 8th, and with a handful of other rookies was marched from the Drill Hall on Merstow Green to the station."


Andy

Can some one put up a picture of Clare street drill hall in Northampton?
How is it being used these days?
Thanks,
G

Andy, I'm aware of that drill hall, but the quote adds the personal dimension that takes it beyond bricks and mortar.

Many lads marched away from their drill hall to train with the Terriers, and many never came back. And the drill hall was often the last familiar place they knew....

Thanks

Graeme

Gordon

The drill hall database is lacking images of this drill hall, so if any other Pals could oblige, I'd be grateful.

I understand that Mr. and Mrs. Wills are regulars at WFA meetings held there, so perhaps Kate will snap away....
Graeme

Dunno if this debate is still live, but Otley Drill Hall was over the road from the Bus station, between the bank and Argos.



Skipton: Bowman Riley Partnership (architects) occupy the old drill hall known as Wellington house on Otley Road.

It was used as a snooker hall and has 2" thick pitch pine floor boards and glazed tile internal walls to dado level.

Ilkley has Drill Hall industrial estate, based around the old drill hall.

Burley in Wharfedale had a minature rifle club, it's a social club now, but members used to walk through the streets carrying .22 'minature rifles' and lots of the members went to war.

Oh, the debate's still live!

And you've provided some marvellous info; just the acknowledgement that the premises still exist is great.

Thanks

Graeme

Hello Graeme,

At last! The long-promised pictures of the drill hall at Knighton in the modern county of Powys (was Radnorshire)
Click to view attachment
Click to view attachment
I still don't know when the drill hall was built, but it was there on the 1926 Godfrey Edition OS map that I posted earlier.

A couple of interesting points:

- the 3 bays below the large windows each have 3 iron rings inserted in the brickwork, presumably horse-tethering rings. (memo to me - check yer fax before yer post - there are 5 large windows, the 3 to the left of the main doors have the tethering rings, I didn't check the others )

- the drill hall, still a well-used civic venue, underwent a thorough refurbishment in the last 12 months. The "original wood-block floor" was going to be removed but wiser counsel prevailed (I am told).

I will pm you regarding sending the uncompressed pics.

All the best

Jim

Thanks Jim

Graeme

Graham,

Does anyone know what this one is:

Click to view attachment


Peterborough 1900 OS Map.

Name of the road was St. Leonard's Street (left of map)

Now buried beneath Peterborough Bus Station.

(It's not the 4th EA Brigade RFA one we've previously discussed, which is just cut off the extreme right of the map) (EDIT: Now the map has been reposted it is centre-right)

Chris Harley thinks it may be the Northamptonshire Yeomanry one.

I think he may be right.

In 1914 soon after the war broke out there was an anti-german riot in Peterborough on Long Causeway and Westgate - off the map to the top right -against Messrs Franks and Metz, both butchers and a German run public house. The Mayor read the Riot Act to the mob and "called out the Yeomanry" which dispersed the crowd.

I'm thinking that he wouldn't have had to call them out very far.

One for the pot anyway,
Steve.

Hah! The database comes up trumps!

Thanks for the map, Steve!

You're right, the Yeomanry were listed in St Leonard street in Kelly's 1910 Diectory of Northamptonshire; K10 ‘Northamptonshire Yeomanry (B Squadron); head quarters, St. Leonards road.’ By 1914 they are listed at Queen street.

But Kelly also offers, in 1890 and 1898, ‘Northamptonshire Royal Engineers (1st)Volunteer (attached to 2nd Tower Hamlets); head quarters & orderly room, St. Leonard street.’

By 1903, A & B companies are no longer attached to the Tower Hamlets, but I haven't anything to suggest that this was the Tower Hamlets Royal Engineers Volunteers in Victoria-park-square, Bethnal-green.

Shame it's gone....

Great info. Thanks

Graeme

Graeme,

(Got the name right this time!)

Your Royal Engineers reference sparked my brain into life.

Here's an extract from the History of the Northamptonshire Battery (I posted some later extracts on the thread that discussed the Artillery Drill Hall in Queen Street)


Click to view attachment


Steve.


PS Posted an expanded verison of the map showing both Drill Halls (The Queen Street on is the building to the left of where the "D" in Drill is)

[quote=John W,Jan 12 2004, 07:04 AM]
SOme of the record books for the West Yorkshire association still survive and are at the west yorks archieves in Leeds.

Are these worth looking at John?
Just to clarify - is this at Sheepscar or Claremont (Yorks. Arch. Soc.)?

Graeme

I have been using the site below to research the WW2 Home Guard in my area.
If you type Home Guard Headquarters into the serach facility you will find details of a number of Drill Halls used for this purpose.

http://www.britarch.ac.uk/projects/dob/

Dave

Wow, magnificent stuff Graeme and Dragon! Diverse and quirky they certainly are.
Charles

Brilliant as always, Gwyn!

There's a prize for the Pal who can name them all........

Graeme

Thank you for your nice comments.

I have removed the composite images because they seemed peripheral and rather shallow in a serious thread.

Gwyn

Lymington Drill Hall is a........
Drill Hall!
and home to the very active Army and Air Training corps

Good! They're not all dead, demolished and decaying, then.....

Is it in Bath Road? Can you take a picture please? I'd be very grateful.

Graeme

here is an architects drawing of the drill hall (courtesy of Robert Bonner, Volunteer Infantry of Ashton)

A lovely drawing of a truly odd looking building.

Toy fort meets civic structure meets fairy towers. Mad.

Thanks for the picture, Chris.

Graeme

Is there a drill hall in Alford in Lincolnshire on your database and, if there is, when was it built, where, and is it still extant?

The database throws up ‘The Territorial Drill Hall, at South end, was erected in 1910 at a cost of £2,000.’ ‘5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (F Co.).’ Source of information is Kelly's Directory of Lincolnshire 1913.

I don't know whether the building still stands - perhaps someone local could confirm?

Graeme