History
The North, South and East Barracks
1795 North and South Barracks built to accommodate the Infantry and Cavalry due to the army presence during titanic struggles with France between 1793 - 1815.
The South Barracks were known as the Cavalry Barracks as there were stables for 63 horses and accommodation for 53 men.
The Royal Navy Hospital was built in 1812 and later renamed the East Barracks in 1900 to accommodate 1861 recruits from Chatham, Portsmouth and Woolwich.
The North and South Barracks were, prior to the arrival of the Royal Marines, occupied by:
1793 - 1815 15th Light Dragoons during Napoleonic war
1816 - 1831 Blockade Men in the war against smugglers
1831 - 1840 Coastguards
Sadly on the 22nd September 1989 11 bandsmen were killed by an IRA bomb.
The Barracks were visited by the Duke of York (1928) the Queen Mother (1956) and Earl Mountbatten (1978)