Monument record 8177/1 - Quebec/Simpson Barracks, Wootton

Base of the Royal Pioneer Corps Training Depot until 1993. The barracks was previously the Regimental Headquarters of the Northamptonshire Regiment and named Quebec Barracks. It was also home to the 401 Searchlight Battery Royal Artillery and 50th (Northamptonshire Regiment) Anti-Aircraft Battery RA. Construction started in 1938, but was not finished until after WWII. It was renamed the Simpson Barracks after the Colonel Commandant, General Sir Frank Simpson KCB DSO in 1961

{4} 27/7/95. The Pioneer Corps left Simpson Barracks in 1993 after 33 years.

{5} Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps formed 17th October 1939 out of Six Group HQs and 48 companies then existing. Direct enlisting commenced immediately …… name simplifed to Pioneer Corps in June 1940.

{2}21//4/77. Barracks "recruit training centre and Home depot for Corps, also provide R.P.C.T.A. Volunteer Reserve training for county and houses Pioneer school….. R.P.C. only had distinction of "Royal" since 1946.

{6} P41 - In April 1938 it was announced that new Depot was to be built at Wootton, two miles outside the town at an estimated cost of £271,000. The intention was that these barracks should be completed by the spring of 1941, but the circumstances beyond anyone's control were to prevent this. NB there is no indication as to what these "circumstances" were, unless the reference is to the war. P97 - In spring 1941 ITC (Infantry Training Centre) moved into Talavera Barracks, a hutted camp which had been built on the racecourse. P345 - No 14 ITC remained in Talavera Camp until March 1945 when these quarters were required fro a Dispersal Unit. Accordingly the ITC moved and was accommodated in the Old Barracks, Quebec Barracks (still but partially completed) and some large houses in the neighbourhood. 1946 ITC returned to Talavera Camp "leaving only the Primary Training wing in Quebec Barracks". P346 - After the war the ITC was replaced by PTC (Primary Training Centre) and 2 training companies "one of the latter being housed in Quebec Barracks.

{1} Simpson Barracks, Wootton. Datestones in the Sandhurst Block, the main accommodation block, indicate a construction date of 1942 but this is suspect give the prevailing circumstances at that time. The datestones may mark the date from which a military presence was established at Wootton with main construction of the barracks probably taking place after the war.

{3} 23/3/93. Quebec Barracks renamed "Simpson" after Colonel Commandant General Sir Frank Simpson.

<1> Cadman G.E.; Ellison M., 1997, Simpson Barracks, Northampton: Rapid Survey, (part checked) (Report). SNN40321.

<2> 1977, CHRONICLE & ECHO, (unchecked) (Journal). SNN40350.

<3> 1993, CHRONICLE & ECHO, (unchecked) (Journal). SNN40351.

<4> 1993, CHRONICLE & ECHO, (unchecked) (Journal). SNN40352.

<5> 1978, SOUVENIR PROGRAMME OF 1978 OPEN DAY AT SIMPSON BARRACKS., (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN40354.

<6> BRIGADIER W.J. JERVIS M.C., 1953, HISTORY OF NORTHAMTPONSHIRE REGIMENT 1934-1948, (unchecked) (Book). SNN40356.

<7> Osborne M., 2002, Fieldwork Survey of Military Buildings: Drill Halls, Barracks & Depots: Northamptonshire, (unchecked) (Note). SNN103251.

Record last edited

Aug 17 2020 12:51PM