Monument record 6754/2 - Talavera Camp (The Village on The Racecourse)

The first half of the twentieth century saw two periods of military activity on The Racecourse. During the Second World War it was the site of Talavera Camp occupied from the spring of 1941 by the Infantry Training Centre; it was subsequently taken over by No.1 ATS Training Centre but the ITC returned to Talavera Camp from November 1943 until March 1945, when the quarters were needed for a Dispersal Unit. It closed in 1946, and demolition of the huts, roads and barracks started in 1953. There are no visible remains, but any remains of the First and Second World Wars are a rapidly diminishing resource in this country, and as such comprise a significant resource both in terms of the history of Northampton and the region.

{1} Sketch plan of the military barrack blocks on the Racecourse during WWII taken from RAF aerial photograph.

{2} The Racecourse was also subject to military occupation during World War II, the site of Talavera Dispersal Camp, known also as The Village on The Racecourse. It was closed in 1946, and demolition of the huts, roads and barracks started in 1953.

{3} Temporary army camp/billet established on Northampton Racecourse during WWI and WWII. Infantry Training Camp moved here in 1941. Camp was finally demolished in 1948 and land returned to Borough.

{4} Much of the Racecourse was put to military use. Talavera Camp was built to accommodate in turn a basic training unit and a training centre for the ATS. At the end of the war a major demobilisation centre was set up.

{6}{7} Show The Racecourse with multiple buildings.

{8} The scheme of mobilisation on the outbreak of war included a plan by which Regimental Depots would change their names and undergo great expansion. In September 1939 the Regimental Depot was renamed The Northamptonshire ITC (Infantry Training Centre). In the spring of 1941 the ITC moved into Talavera Barracks, a hutted camp built on the Northampton Racecourse. Talavera was subsequently taken over by No.1 ATS Training Centre after the Northamptonshire ITC was ordered to Norwich. The ITC (renamed No.14 ITC) returned to Talavera Camp in November 1943, where they remained until March 1945, when the quarters were needed for a Dispersal Unit. The ITC moved into the old barracks (Quebec Barracks) and several local houses before returning a year later to Talavera Camp (along with a continued presence at Quebec Barracks). Early in 1948 more reorganisation condemned Talavera Camp to be demolished and the land returned to the Borough.

{9} Short section in which a Gladys Shaw recalls No.1 ATS Training Centre at Talavera Camp, Northampton.

{10} The Second World War saw a dispersed camp on the Racecourse until 1946.

<1> Welsh T., 1993, Sketch Plan of WWII Buildings on The Racecourse, Northampton, (checked) (Plan). SNN2450.

<2> Adkinson A., 1997, The History of Northampton's Parks, p.52-53 (unchecked) (Manuscript). SNN101918.

<3> Osborne M., 2002, Fieldwork Survey of Military Buildings: Drill Halls, Barracks & Depots: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Note). SNN103251.

<4> 1978, Northamptonshire At War 1939-45, A Selection Of Photographs, (unchecked) (Book). SNN100251.

<5> Cadman G., 2014, 20th Century Military Archaeology in Northamptonshire: Logs 1, 2 & 3, (checked) (Report). SNN104868.

<6> Air Ministry, 1944, Air Ministry Photograph of The Racecourse, (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN105146.

<7> Air Ministry, 1947, Air Ministry Photograph of The Racecourse, (unchecked) (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN105147.

<8> Jervois W.J., 1953, The History of The Northamptonshire Regiment: 1934-1948, (unchecked) (Book). SNN105148.

<9> Age Concern, 1995, Fifty Years On, (unchecked) (Booklet). SNN105149.

<10> Butler A., 2007, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment for The Racecourse Park, Northampton August 2007, p.5 (checked) (Report). SNN108091.

Record last edited

Apr 10 2024 3:14PM