Kendrew Barracks is a British Army barracks located 1.1 miles (1.8 km) north east of Cottesmore, Rutland, England. The barracks opened in 2012, at the site of former RAF Cottesmore.
| Kendrew Barracks | |
|---|---|
| Located near Cottesmore in Rutland | |
 The site in 2007, when it was RAF Cottesmore | |
  Kendrew Barracks | |
| Coordinates | 52°43′46″N 000°39′5″W / 52.72944°N 0.65139°W |
| Type | Barracks |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Controlled by |  British Army |
| Condition | Operational |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1938 (as RAF Cottesmore) |
| In use | 2012 – present |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 1st & 2nd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment 7 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps |
History
editRAF Cottesmore
editRAF Cottesmore opened in 1938 and operated until 2012. It was home to both the Royal Air Force and the United States Army Air Forces during its lifetime. Cottesmore was the home of the Tri-National Tornado Training Establishment which trained Panavia Tornado crews, and was the last operational home of the British Aerospace Harrier II.[1]
Transfer to British Army
editIn July 2011, Defence Secretary Liam Fox announced that Cottesmore would house the British Army's East of England Multi-Role Brigade.[2] The Army took over the site in April 2012 and Kendrew Barracks was officially opened in October 2012 by the Duke of Gloucester.[3] The new barracks were named after Major General Sir Douglas Kendrew.[4]
The barracks became home to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment, which moved from Dhekelia Garrison, Cyprus in 2012.[5] A second regiment, 7 Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps, moved to the base in June 2013.[3]
From 2017 to 2019, the barracks was home to 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment.[6]
As of 1 November 2018, there were 1,127 troops assigned to the units based at the barracks.[7]
On completion of their Cyprus tour in 2023, the 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment (known as the Vikings) moved to the barracks to join the 2nd Battalion (known as the Poachers), which will remain at Kendrew Barracks. In the future, the Royal Anglian Regiment will no longer participate directly in Cyprus rotations, and therefore will be based at Kendrew Barracks for the foreseeable future.[8]
Future
editWork to construct new facilities for the 1st Military Working Dog Regiment of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps is expected to be completed in December 2025. The regiment will relocate from St George's Barracks, North Luffenham, which is expected to close in 2026. Eleven new buildings are to be constructed, with four being refurbished or retrofitted, providing 173 kennels for permanent, isolation and quarantine requirements. The £61 million project also includes a veterinary centre and training facilities, squadron offices, stores, gym and the repurposing of hanger B as a regimental headquarters and quartermaster stores.[9]
Based units
editThe following notable units are based at Kendrew Barracks.[7][10]
British Army
edit- Queen's Division
- 1st Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment
- 2nd Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment
References
edit- ^ "Harrier jump jets make final flight from RAF Cottesmore". BBC. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ "Cottesmore saved by plan to host new Army brigade" BBC News 18 July 2011
- ^ a b "Duke officially opens Kendrew Barracks". Rutland Times. 10 October 2012. Archived from the original on 27 December 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
- ^ ""Cottesmore Army base named as Kendrew Barracks" Stamford Mercury, 23 April 2012". Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
- ^ Thompson, Alan (8 July 2017). "Poachers' rapid deployment force role in trouble hot spots". LeicestershireLive. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ "Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment proudly holds 57 Victoria Crosses - and they're moving to Rutland". Leicester Mercury. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
- ^ a b Lancaster, Mark (29 November 2018). "Army:Written question - 194616". UK Parliament. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
- ^ Latter, Mick (30 November 2021). "Royal Anglian Regiment". ROYAL ANGLIAN REGIMENT. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ "Working dogs' regiment to relocate as contract awarded for refurbishment of Kendrew Barracks". GOV.UK. Defence Infrastructure Organisation. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ "7 Regiment RLC". British Army. Retrieved 30 November 2018.