Victoria Barracks, Windsor
Victoria Barracks is a British Army barracks located 0.25 miles (0.40 km) south of Windsor Castle.
| Victoria Barracks | |
|---|---|
| Windsor, Berkshire in England | |
Band of The Scots Guards leaves Victoria Barracks | |
Victoria Barracks Shown within Berkshire | |
| Coordinates | 51°28′43″N 000°36′26″W / 51.47861°N 0.60722°W |
| Type | Barracks |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Operator | British Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1853 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1853-Present |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards |
History Edit
The original barracks were built in 1853[1] and were enlarged in 1911.[2] The old barracks were completely demolished in 1988 and new barracks were built between 1989[3] and 1993.[4]
The barracks remain the place from where troops set off to change the guard at Windsor Castle.[5] The Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11am. Changing the Guard, also known as ‘Guard Mounting’, begins with the Windsor Castle Guard forming up outside the Guard Room. In due course, the new Guard will arrive from Victoria Barracks, led by a Regimental Band, Corps of Drums or occasionally by a Pipe Band. During the 45-minute ceremony, the handover of duties will take place, including the changeover of sentries. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the old Guard will return to Victoria Barracks. When The King is in official residence, the parade takes place on the Castle Forecourt.[6]
Intruder Edit
In April 2022, an intruder who pretended to be a priest managed to spend the night at the barracks despite showing no identification or credentials, reportedly eating and drinking with senior officers, having claimed to have been a friend of the battalion's padre.[7] Thames Valley Police officers attended and removed the intruder, who called himself Father Cruz, from the barracks. No further action was taken. However, an Army spokesman said: "The Army takes this breach of security extremely seriously and it will be thoroughly investigated as a matter of priority."[8]
Units Edit
The sole garrisoned unit, the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, is a light infantry battalion operating as part of the 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade.[9]
References Edit
- ^ "A brief history of Windsor". Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "The royal borough of Windsor: Introduction, A History of the County of Berkshire: Volume 3". 1923. pp. 1–5. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ^ "Victoria Barracks". Hansard. 18 October 1889. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
- ^ Naylor, p. 199
- ^ "Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle". Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "Guard at Windsor Castle - Ceremonial Events - The Household Division - Official site". www.householddivision.org.uk. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ McSherry, Gemma (2 May 2022). "Fake priest 'spends night at army barracks near Windsor Castle'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ "Army investigates intruder reports at Windsor base". BBC News. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- ^ "Future Soldier Guide - adr010310-futuresoldierguide_30nov.pdf" (PDF). 1 October 2023.
Sources Edit
- Naylor, Murray (1995). Among Friends: Scots Guards 1956-93. Pen & Sword. ISBN 978-0850524550.