Monument record 8672/1/1 - Drill Hall Clare Street

Armoury of 1859, built following the 1852 reform of the Miltia to provide a secure and defensible store for the local regiment. One of a number of decorative barracks which were intended to act as a focus of local pride and to assist in filling the regiment's quota of recruits. The drill hall of circa 1880 was probably added to provide space for drilling in wet weather. Under the Defended Localities system, it became necessary in early 1942 to establish a redoubt at the Drill Hall in Clare Street. This has since become a Territorial Army Centre.

{1} Militia armoury and drill hall, now TA centre. 1859, drill hall c.1880. Brick with stone dressings and slate roof. Pitcuresque Fortified Gothic Revival style. Double-depth front barrack and store range with rear drill hall.
EXTERIOR: 2 storeys and attic; 13-window range. Symmetrical front has bracketed cornice and parapet, with 1-2-and 3-light lancets with metal casements. Central round-arched doorway with ashlar surround, large 4-light fanlight and double half glazed doors, and second floor parapet to attic balcony, flanked by wide semi-circular bays and outer lower recessed towers with 2-light windows and an attic cross loop. Outer ranges of 3 windows with inner 2-centre arched doorways with double boarded doors and3-stage round corner towers with 2-light windows. Right-hand return has two 2-stae towers dividing the side of the drill shed.
INTERIOR: Not inspected
HISTORY: Built following the 1852 reform of the Militia to provide a secure and defensible store for the lcoal regiment. One of a number of decorative barracks which were intended to act as a focus of local pride and to assist in filling the regiment's quoto of recruits. The drill hall was probably added to provide space for drilling in wet weather. Included for historic and architectural interest.

{3} Under the Defended Localities system it became necessary in early 1942 to establish a Keep. According to Barnes this was intended to be a rallying point and a last ditch defensive position for the Battalion. In the event it was decided that more than one keep would be needed. The Keeps were at the new police station in the Mounts, the Barracks in Barracks Road and The Drill Hall.

The Drill Hall Keep was manned by members of a new Company, F Company, of the 12th Northamptonshire Battalion HG. The new Company was formed from No 9 Platoon of C Company - HQ was at the Lord Raglan public house.Drill Hall, Clare Street, Northampton.

{4} TA Centre and Drill Hall on Military Road/Clare Street, Northampton. Used as a militia armoury in 1859 and drill hall in 1880. Recently Listed Grade II.

{5} TA bases in Northampton, Corby and Wellingborough. REME based at the Clare Street depot (Electrical and Mechanical Engineers).

{6} The centre was built in 1859 to provide a secure and defensible armoury and store for the local Militia. It was one of a number of decorative barracks built in the county at the time which were designed to be a focus of local pride and boost recruitment into the regiment. Architects describe the building as being 'brick with stone dressings and slate roof, in Picturesque Gothic Revival Style.

{7} OS 1:2500 for 1887 depicts "Militia Store", a single complex with only one small adjoining building, all located at the south end of anotherwise large empty plot extending north to the Race Course. On the 1963 1:2500 OS plan the main building has been extended and other structures utilise the former open area to the north. The site is described as "Drill Hall".

{8} A striking brick (with stone detailing) building, built as a mock castle. Exterior appears to be in excellent condition. Continues in TA use.

{15} Like an American armoury.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, / (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> 1976, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), H14 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN1000.

<3> HOLLOWELL S., 1998, Defence of Britain Recording Forms, (unchecked) (Recording Form (Not SMR)). SNN51405.

<4> 1998, The Northants Herald and Post, (unchecked) (Newspaper cuttings). SNN46883.

<5> 1998, The Northampton Mercury, p.14 (unchecked) (Article). SNN46884.

<6> 1998, The Chronicle and Echo, p.5 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN46885.

<7> Ordnance Survey, 1887, First Edition Ordnance Survey 25 Inch Mapping Series (45.05), (unchecked) (Map). SNN47521.

<8> DOUET J., 1998, British Barracks 1600-1914, (unchecked) (Book). SNN46887.

<9> 1998, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN55812.

<10> 1957, The Northampton Independent, p.6 (unchecked) (Journal). SNN55813.

<11> Barnes L.E., 1946, History of the 12th Northamptonshire Battalion Home Guard 1940-1944, (unchecked) (Uncertain). SNN55036.

<12> Holloway B.G., 1949, The Northamptonshire Home Guard 1940-45, (unchecked) (Book). SNN55038.

<13> Migrated Defence of Britain Project database record originally compiled from various sources, DOB site ref: S0005856 (Database). SNN112922.

<14> Historic England, Undated, Defence of Britain, DEB01 (Archive). SNN112947.

<15> Bailey, B, Pevsner, N, and Cherry, B, 2013, The Buildings of England: Northamptonshire, p. 461 (Book). SNN111989.

Record last edited

May 23 2022 9:53AM