Monument record 6754/1 - First World War Army Camp

The first half of the twentieth century saw two periods of military activity on The Racecourse. In 1914 the Racecourse was converted into an army camp of tents and temporary stables. It was used to billet the Welsh Division of 16,000 men and 7,000 horses. The troops left in 1915. 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} Pictures of the use of the racecourse during WWI.

{2} During the First World War the Racecourse was converted into an army camp and became a town of tents and temporary stables in 1914. It was used to billet the Welsh Division of 16,000 men and 7,000 horses. The troops left in 1915, leaving behind them an appalling mess. The local residents believed the soil to the saturated with disease from sick horses. Many people suffered with lung complaints which became known as 'Racecourse Throat'.

{4} Many of the improvements to the park were for naught, however, as during the First World War the park was converted into an army camp (Talavera) and became a town of tents and temporary stables in 1914. It was used to billet the Welsh Division of 16,000 men.

<1> Holloway W.H., Northamptonshire and The Great War, p.216 (checked) (Book). SNN103310.

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

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

<4> Butler A., 2007, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment for The Racecourse Park, Northampton August 2007, p.5 (checked) (Report). SNN108091.

Record last edited

Jun 4 2014 5:12PM