Albany Barracks

Albany Barracks (formerly Parkhurst Barracks) was a military installation on the Isle of Wight.

For the barracks in Albany Street in London, see Regent's Park Barracks.
Albany Barracks
Newport, Isle of Wight
Albany Barracks
Albany Barracks
Location within Isle of Wight
Coordinates50.712°N 1.307°W / 50.712; -1.307
TypeBarracks
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
Operator British Army
Site history
Built1798
Built forWar Office
In use1798-1960
Garrison information
OccupantsIsle of Wight Rifles

History

Construction of the barracks, which were originally named Parkhurst Barracks after the forest where they were located, was completed in September 1798.[1] Shortly after completion they were renamed "Albany Barracks" after Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany, who had been Commander-in-Chief of the Forces.[1] By 1807 they were occupied by the 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot preparing for action in the Peninsular War.[2] In 1859 the Isle of Wight Rifles was raised as a defence force for the Island and stationed at the barracks.[3]

Parkhurst Military Cemetery was set up to serve the barracks. It includes the war graves of 59 Commonwealth service personnel of the First World War and 26 of the Second World War, the latter including one unidentified British Army soldier and two unidentified Merchant Navy seamen.[4]

In 1959 the barracks were the location of a ceremony to celebrate the formation of the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment.[5] The barracks were decommissioned in the early 1960s and the site was redeveloped as Albany Prison at that time.[6]

References
  1. Brettell, Thomas (1840). "A topographical and historical guide to the Isle of Wight". p. 92.
  2. "A record of the 29th Foot by Colonel Charles Leslie, K. H." The Worcestershire Regiment. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  3. "The early years". The Isle of Wight Rifles. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  4. "Parkhurst Military Cemetery". Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  5. "Amalgamation Parade". The Farmer's Boys. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  6. "Isle of Wight Prison information". Ministry of Justice. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
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