General site history
The camp at Shorncliffe originated from the key position of the site in relation to the Kent
coastline, which was always vulnerable to invasion from the Continent. During the Napoleonic
Wars the coastline was surveyed and the earlier defences found deficient. Shorncliffe Heights
was purchased in 1794 and the construction of a redoubt was begun, designed to provide a
look-out point and battery to defend the bay below. In subsequent years Martello towers and
other key military sites intended to provide additional security were constructed below the
redoubt and the area remained important for military defence. In the early years of the 19th
century, under renewed French threat, Sir John Moore established a training camp for Light
Infantry at Shorncliffe, providing troops who proved crucial to the success of the British against
Napoleon. At this stage the camp comprised little more than an open field, with temporary
buildings, put in place for seasons of training. Permanent training grounds for the army began to
be established in the 1820s (Newsome et al. 2009). From the 1850s, against the backdrop of
the Crimean War, the need for further permanent training grounds was acknowledged – the
first at Aldershot was laid out in 1858, with Shorncliffe and Colchester laid out soon afterwards.
Shorncliffe and Aldershot were first use to accommodate foreign troops (George and George
2004, 74). After the war the temporary wooden huts were retained, and used to provide
accommodation for the army during training exercises. An 1867 map of Shorncliffe shows the
hutting of the original camp laid out in grid patterns around the central parade ground. These
were split into 5 ranges, lettered from A to E. Around the perimeter road a series of ancillary
complexes are also shown, including a set of ‘permanent barracks’ to the north for the Royal
Artillery which was laid out in a courtyard plan, and more buildings to the west of the site –
including a church, the Royal Engineers Department and a complex labelled ‘Barrack
Establishments’. An 1873 shows a similar complex, although further buildings have been added
including the rackets court. The survival of this building, of stock brick, indicates that by this date
the camp was beginning to receive some buildings in more durable materials, perhaps initially
only for communal buildings or those which had more complex constructional requirements.
By the late 19th century the process of replacing the standard wooden accommodation huts
with blocks in a more durable material began. In 1880 Shorncliffe received the first concrete
barrack huts to be constructed in the country (Schofield 2006, 2). By the late 1880s brick
became the preferred construction material and, in a major programme of investment between
1890 and the turn of the century, most of the wooden huts were replaced by permanent
buildings forming Moore Barracks, Napier Barracks, Somerset Barracks, Ross Barracks and the
Royal Engineers Barracks (later Burgoyne; also incorporating some earlier buildings). These
appear to have followed a standardised design, modified in layout to fit the allocated space, with
the provision of parallel rows of barracks with a large officers’ mess and other ancillary buildings.
Despite this investment, the existing scale of the accommodation must have proved inadequate,
as by the first decade of the 20th century a further complex was added on land to the north of
the existing site. This formed Risborough Barracks, with the initial construction of c1904 of
brick service buildings and wooden huts. To the east an Army Ordnance Depot was laid out in
a series of construction phases from 1899 into the first decade of the 20th century.
Further expansion was undertaken in the First World War with the establishment of further
complexes on St Martin’s Plain, comprising Dibgate and St Martin’s Plain Camps. Schofield
(2006) records these as corrugated iron huts, and gives a date of 1915 for their construction.
Other additions around the time of the war include the service block to the east of Risborough
Barracks (dated 1914).
The temporary camps on the St Martin’s Plain site remained in use after the end of the war. St
Martin’s Plain Camp is shown on the 1938 OS, labelled as the Army School of Education. By
this date Risborough Barracks had also been upgraded, with brick blocks replacing the wooden
huts, a larger officers’ mess and a Regimental Institute. Schofield (2006) gives a date of 1933 for
the replacement of the wooden huts. To the west of Risborough Barracks a large building is
also shown on the 1938 map, this is labelled as a garage on one of the undated plans seen on
site. Further garages or stores were also built to the east on what is now Hillside Industrial
Estates (TR 20130 35923), including a large four aisle building with glass roof lights. Around the
outbreak of the Second World War the perimeter of the site was defended by a ring of
pillboxes, a number of which survive, and St Martin’s Plain was used as the base for anti-aircraft
batteries.
The largest phase of redevelopment after the Second World War was the construction of the
new Moore Barracks in the early 1960s. This included a Roman Catholic Chapel (now listed at
grade II), designed by Zbigneiw Piet of Westwood Piet and Partners in 1966-8 (Harwood 2003,
470; Anon 1969).
History of Risborough Barracks and the Army Ordnance Depot
The area of Risborough Barracks represents a later extension of the original Shorncliffe Camp,
which grew up around Sir John Moore Plain to the south of the site. Building on the land
appears to have commenced with the earliest buildings of the Army Ordnance Depot, the first
one dated to 1899, with most laid out in 1900-01. A block plan of 1902-3 (NA WO78/2542)
shows the early buildings on the depot site, with later additions in red ink indicating some
subsequent buildings. The building purposes indicated include a mobilisation wagon shed, tent
bottom shed, packing case, saddlery and harness store and suggest that the depot was mainly
intended to provide equipment for troops as they were sent to fight. The buildings in the area
appear to have continued to be added to with a revised plan produced in 1906 (NA
WO78/3654), and subsequent additions (in red ink) showing the later addition of the tent
repair store and the carpenters’ shop. This also indicates that the buildings of the Ordnance
Depot were built in ‘High Broom Red facing brick’ and had slate roofs, apart from a two tin
sheds (now demolished). Expansion appears to have continued, with a series of large blocks
shown on an undated plan in the on-site archive which probably dates from the 1940s or 1950s
– three large blocks fill the space north of the earlier compound, up to the axial road that runs
east-west through the site. These later blocks have been demolished but presumably provided
further storage areas. Within the earlier part of the compound a number of possible surface air
raid shelters were interspersed between some of the buildings, some of these survive. The
large concrete water tower was probably added in the 1950s, presumably to serve the northern
part of the camp.
Despite the significant investment in barrack accommodation on the main site to create
Somerset, Napier and John Moore barracks in the period around 1900, there was evidently a
need to accommodate further men, and in 1902-3 Risborough Barracks was constructed.
Initially the main accommodation was provided in temporary huts, although the ancillary
buildings were built in brick in around 1904, including the cook house, drill hall and guardroom.
The plans for these buildings do not appear to survive, but the stables provided (and surviving
today) matches drawings of the R.E. Stables at Burgoyne Barracks built at exactly the same time
(see NA WO78/3681C.O.’s and Officers’ Stables) suggesting that the buildings are of standard
designs for the period. As well as corrugated iron huts in the area of the surviving blocks today,
married soldiers’ quarters were also provided on the eastern side of the site, near to Royal
Military Avenue. These appear to have been built of brick, with an accompanying school and
laundry at their northern end, close to Church Road (NA WO78/3709).
The corrugated iron huts of the soldiers’ quarters were not replaced with permanent blocks
until considerably later, Schofield (2006) gives a date of 1933, but the form of the buildings and
the quality of the materials used suggests a 1920s date. A Regimental Institute was also
constructed in 1928, details of its original design and layout are discussed by Lloyd-Spencer
(1938, 38). The earlier Officers’ Mess was rebuilt in the late 1930s, to a standard design seen at
other barracks (for example Bordon).
Description
The area of Risborough Barracks is defined by Pond Hill Road to the west, Church Road to the
north and Royal Military Avenue and Risborough Lane to the east. To the south it is divided
from the main camp area by the perimeter road (North Road). To the north and south the
area has large open areas, to the south this provides a cricket ground and tennis courts, to the
north a football ground. Originally the buildings appear to have been grouped around a parade
ground, with the Officers’ Mess and C.O.’s house to the west, fronting onto Pond Hill Road, the
barrack blocks to the south and the married quarters (now demolished) to the east. The Army
Ordnance Depot sits in the southern corner of this arrangement, with a main access route off
Risborough Lane and rear access into the barrack area. The surviving buildings are mainly
focussed to the west and south of the parade ground – and have been divided into those
associated with the Barracks and those associated with the Ordnance Depot below
Army Ordnance Depot
A) Gates and watchman’s hut (NGR TR 19652 36064). Piers shown on 1902 plan, watchman’s
hut on the 1906 plan. Main entrance to compound with brick piers with inset panels with a
shield and the initials A.O.D. Wrought iron gates which appear original. To south immediately
beyond entrance small brick building, possibly guardhouse.
B) Ordnance Office (NGR TR 19636 36064). Shown on the 1902 and 1906 plans – on the
latter it is shown as having two rooms, one either side of a central entrance doorway, for the
Ordnance Officer and the Clerks. Alterations in red ink show the construction of a one room
extension to the east, presumably not long after 1906, to provide an additional clerks’ room. A
single-storey brick building with slate roof, cement sills and lintels, with decorative brick eaves
course. Surviving windows appear original, interior also appears to survive – although building
not entered due to poor condition.
C) Wagon Shed (NGR TR 19599 36089). Shown on the 1902 plan as a ‘Mobilisation Wagon
Shed’ with a ‘Mobilisation Store’ attached at the western end. By 1906 this has been extended
eastwards with the addition of a ‘water cart shed’. The building is a single storey brick building
with corrugated iron roof. Much of the southern side of the building is open, with the roof
supported on iron(?) piers marking a series of openings with timber doors.
D) Store (NGR TR 19552 36189). Shown on the 1902 and 1906 plans, on the latter it is
marked ‘store’. Brick single storey building with slate roof. Most elevations plain with brick
buttresses. North elevation has large brick arch in the gable end – possibly a blocked window
opening?
E) Small store (NGR TR 19552 36125) Shown on the 1906 plan (but not on the 1902). Again
labelled ‘store’. Small brick building with a pitched slate roof.
F) Packing Case Store (NGR TR 19346 36097) Built 1901, shown on both the 1902 and 1906
plans. Brick building with pitched slate roof, metal windows with cement lintels. Small boiler
room and chimney added to the east side and large doorway inserted in northern end at some
stage.
G) Army Ordnance Waggon Shed (NGR TR 19546 36071) Built 1901, shown on 1902 and
1906 plans as Army Ordnance Waggon Shed & Reserve Store. Brick two-storey building with
pitched slate roof. Open to the north with a series of steel girders defining openings with
timber doors. Large window openings at 1st floor level with brick arched heads and metal
windows. Centrally placed high-level door with the remains of a loading stage and winch.
H) Equipment Store (NGR TR 19586 36063) Built 1899, shown on 1902 and 1906 plans. Brick
two-storey building, with off-set to 1st floor. Series of buttresses define a 10 bay building.
Window openings with arched brick heads, metal window frames and cement sills. Internally
the building has timber parquet flooring to the ground floor with RSJs supporting a concrete
floor above.
I) Receiving Store (NGR TR 19583 36041) Shown on 1902 and 1906 plans. Brick single-storey
building with pitched slate roof. Window openings with arched brick heads and cement sills.
J) Paint Store (NGR TR 19531 36031) Shown on 1906 plan. Small brick building with pitched
slate roof – separated due to fire risk.
K) Carpenters’ Shop (NGR TR 19567 36027) Shown as a later addition to the 1906 plan. Brick
single-storey building with pitched slate roof with timber vents on the ridge. Large window
openings with metal frames. Interior is open to roof, with metal trusses. Timber block floor.
L) Tent Repairing Shop (NGR TR 19584 36025) Shown as a later addition to the 1906 plan,
built 1907. Brick single-storey building with pitched slate roof with roof lights and large window
openings with metal frames. Interior is open to roof, with timber king post trusses with raking
struts. Timber floor.
M) Water Tower (NGR TR 19618 36023) Concrete tower, built 1950s? Circular shaft with
larger circular covered tank above.
N) Saddlery and Harness Store (NGR TR 19617 36053) Shown as a later addition to the 1902
plan and on the 1906 plan, built 1906? Two-storey brick building with pitched slate roof, large
windows with arched brick heads, metal frames and cement sills. Concrete 1st floor with steel
reinforcements supported on RSJs.
Risborough Barracks
A) Commanding Officer’s House (NGR TR 19320 36395). Domestic 2 storey brick building
built prior to 1907.
B) Guardhouse? (NGR TR 19326 36361) Built 1912. Datestone also gives initials G.R.. Singlestorey
brick building with pitched slate roofs, fronts east onto the parade ground. Symmetrically
arranged with two entrances and timber sash windows – suggests an office use – painted
building number 51. Timber dentilated eaves course.
C) Officers’ Mess (NGR TR 19292 36290) Brick two-storey officers’ mess of the 1930s, built to
a standard design of the period. Symmetrically arranged with a central entrance and flanking
wings. Original lead downpipes (undated). Modern uPVC windows but other fixtures, such as
external doors, appear original.
D) Regimental Institute (NGR TR 19519 36178) Brick single storey building of 1928, with
modern slate roof. Two entrances on the southern side in projecting porches, with original
doors and overlights. Modern uPVC windows elsewhere.
E) Barrack Stores (NGR TR 19600 36198) Built 1914. Datestone has initials G.R. (see (B)
above). Brick single-storey courtyard plan building with cast iron window frames and metal
truss roof covered by asbestos tiles. Appears to have provided a range of stores and
workspaces.
F) Guardhouse (NGR TR 19287 36141) Built 1904. Labelled as ‘Sergeant’s mess’ on the
1940s(?) plan of the site, the main entrance at that point apparently being via Risborough Lane.
Unclear whether this represents its original use. Single-storey brick building with pitched slate
roof. Building fronts south onto what must have been the main entrance to the barracks (now
fenced), with symmetrical façade. Some decorative detail to the brick eaves course. Timber
sash windows survive.
G) Building south of guardhouse (NGR TR 19287 36111) Built before 1907. Single storey brick
building with pitched slate roof, blocked window openings with cement sills.
H) Four barrack blocks (central NGR TR 19395 36156) Built c1933? Four two-storey barrack
blocks, in painted brick with slate roofs. Most have surviving sash windows, although one
appears to have modern uPVC. All have central entrances, with projecting blocks to rear for
washrooms.
I) Cookhouse and Dining Room (NGR 19358 36130) Built c1933? Single storey rendered brick
block, with later alterations
J) Building to east of dining room (NGR TR 19428 36124) Built c1933? Brick single-storey
building with pitched slate roof, two entrances to south side.
K) Seven barrack blocks (central NGR TR 19389 36085) Built c1933? Brick two-storey blocks
with pitched slate roofs. All have central entrances with distinctive cement door surrounds
incorporating overlights. Updated with modern uPVC windows and slate roofs. Projecting
blocks to rear for washrooms.
L) Garages (central NGR TR 19330 36056). Built c1904 as stables to a standard design (see
those for C.O. of R.E. Barracks at NA WO 78/3681). Two matching blocks brick, of one and
two storeys, now linked by a later, possibly First World War concrete panel building.
M) Building between garages and Drill Hall (NGR TR 19376 36056) Built 1904. Single-storey
brick building for unknown purpose.
N) Drill Hall (NGR TR 19424 36051) Built 1904, labelled on 1940s (?) plan as Drill Hall. Single
storey brick building fronting to north with pitched slate roof. (1)

<1> English Heritage, 2012, Risborough Barracks (inlcuding Army Ordnance Depot), Shorncliffe Camp (Unpublished document). SKE56218.

<2> Peter Higginbotham, 2018, http://www.workhouses.org.uk, Schofield, J 2006 England’s Army Camps (unpublished technical report) (Website). SKE51754.