20th century use of Milton Barracks built in the 1860s off, and entered from, the eastern side of Wellington Street, Gravesend, Kent. Its rectangular yellow-brick walled enclosure contained in the south part of the site, 20 single-storey brick barrack blocks in two parallel rows, an armoury and an officers mess. There was an open space with playing fields to the north, divided from the barracks by a general parade ground. A brick hospital was added in the NE corner of the enclosure by 1870 and in the 20th century single storey garages for motor vehicles as well as vehicle workshops and in the 1920s and 30s a new two-storey brick officers' mess (later used as a NAAFI). The barracks were regularly garrisoned by visiting - usually infantry - units until closure in 1970s. For most of the First World War the barracks were used as a district recruiting unit and in 1917 as a hospital. After the war it resumed its function as an infantry depot. During the second World War the barracks were used variously as a training and holding depot, a headquarters for local anti-invasion units and for the storage of vehicles, guns and equipment. Some temporary barrack huts were added on the east side of the enclosure to accommodate an increased personnel presence on the site. During the Cold War the barracks were used for a time as an anti-aircraft defence brigade headquarters. Demolition began in the 1980s to make way for residential housing. Part of the perimeter wall survives, together with the old and new officers mess, gynmasium, armoury and a 19th century raised water tank.
Owner : Unknown
Publicly accessible : Yes
How accessed for survey : The remaining features of the barracks can be seen from the streets and paths of the housing development
Tourism Potential : None
Condition : Very poor
Date of visit : 03/09/07

John Milbank Jones, The History of Milton Barracks Gravesend (Undated but probably c. 1985) (Bibliographic reference). SKE14091.

John Milbank Jones, The History of Milton Barracks Gravesend (Undated but probably c. 1985) (Bibliographic reference). Ske14091.