Corn Exchange, Tonbridge

The Corn Exchange is a former chapel, trading facility and military installation at Bank Street in Tonbridge, Kent.

The Corn Exchange
Tonbridge
The Corn Exchange
The Corn Exchange
Location within Kent
Coordinates51.19761°N 0.27466°E / 51.19761; 0.27466
TypeDrill hall
Site history
Built1790
Built forWar Office
In use1790-Present

History

The building was originally designed as a chapel for the Independent Congregationalists and completed in 1790.[1] The Independent Congregationalists moved out in 1876 and the chapel became used as the local Corn Exchange. The building was then converted to become the headquarters of the 4th Battalion, The Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) in 1910.[2] It also became the headquarters of the Kent Cyclist Battalion at this time.[2] The 4th Battalion was mobilised at the drill hall in August 1914 before being deployed to India.[3][4]

The battalion merged with the 5th Battalion to form the 4th/5th Battalion in 1947.[5] Following the cut-backs in 1967, the presence at the drill hall was reduced to a single company, E Company, 5th (Volunteer) Battalion, The Queen's Regiment.[6] The drill hall was subsequently decommissioned and converted for commercial use.[7]

References
  1. "Old Tonbridge in pictures: Other churches". Tonbridge History. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  2. "Tonbridge". The drill hall project. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
  3. "Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment". The Long, Long Trail. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  4. "Bank Street drill Hall". Kent in World War I. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  5. "4th Battalion, The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 14 February 2006. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  6. "5th (V) Battalion, The Queen's Regiment and The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 23 February 2006. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  7. "Bobbett Design". Creative Match. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
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