Royal Artlillery Woolwich Barracks

The Royal Artillery has had a presence in Woolwich since 1716 when two permanent field companies of about 100 men each were formed. By 1771 the now Royal regiment of Artillery numbered over 2400 and larger barracks were needed. Work began on the new barracks in 1774 and was added to when the Royal Horse Artillery was formed in 1793 and further extended around 1805.
The last Artillery unit left in 2007, but it has been home to Infantry regiments since and the base is now scheduled for closure in 2028.
Troops were moved out of the barracks at the start of WW2 through fear of aerial attack, but used to house evacuees from Dunkirk in 1940.
The barracks were subject to Provisional IRA bomb attack in 1983, injuring 5 soldiers and Fusilier Lee Rigby was murdered by Islamic Terrorists on 24 May 2013, outside the barracks.

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Source

• Text: Sharky Ward
• Photos: Anthony (Sharky) Ward