Maryhill Barracks

Maryhill Barracks was built on 12 hectares (30 acres) of the Ruchill estate, in the Maryhill area of northern Glasgow, Scotland.

Maryhill Barracks
Glasgow
Maryhill Barracks
Maryhill Barracks
Location within Glasgow
Coordinates55°53′20″N 04°17′18″W
TypeBarracks
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
Operator British Army
Site history
Built1872
Built forWar Office
In use1872-1960s

History

The barracks were opened as Garrioch Barracks in 1872. Built to accommodate an infantry regiment, a squadron of cavalry and a battery of field artillery, it dominated the area which is now the Wyndford housing estate. The barracks replaced the previous Infantry Barracks at Duke Street in the East End of the city.[1]

Glasgow City Corporation had been petitioning the government since the early 19th century for more military protection from their fear of "riot and tumult" in the growing industrial city. Despite the fact that Maryhill at the time was an independent burgh, it agreed to the erection of Glasgow's new barracks, with the greatly enlarged complex opening in 1876. Higher quality than normal, the barracks engendered a sense of community. The Glasgow Soldiers' Home, where those on leave could entertain relatives, and public houses with names such as the Highland Light Infantry (HLI) and the Elephant and Bugle (the HLI emblem) gave Maryhill the feel of a garrison town. Vandalism was also reduced.[2][3] Married quarters were added to the barracks in 1911.[4]

During the 1919 40-hours general strike in Glasgow, the soldiers at Maryhill Barracks were deemed to be unreliable and were confined to barracks while troops from elsewhere were brought in to re-impose order.[5] It was in 1919 that Maryhill Barracks was used as a marshalling place for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders before embarking for India.[6] Maryhill Barracks became the depot of the Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow) regiment in March 1921.[7]

In May 1934 a bomb exploded in the barracks, which was alleged to have been set off by the same person as bombed the Army Recruiting Offices, 139 Bath Street, a fortnight previously.[8]

It was also home to the Scots Greys and famously held Adolf Hitler's second-in-command Rudolf Hess during World War II after his supposed "Peace" flight to the UK in 1941, at a time when it was used as a prisoner of war camp. In 1942, the Free French leader, General Charles de Gaulle, visited French troops there.[1]

The Barracks were decommissioned and largely demolished in the early 1960s, to be replaced by the Wyndford housing estate, although the guardroom and boundary walls remain.[9] A Territorial Army unit, the 52nd Lowland, 6th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, continues to be based at the adjacent Walcheren Barracks.[10]

References
  1. "Eye Spy Glasgow: A peek into Maryhill's proud military past". Evening Times. 28 November 2014. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  2. "Greater Glasgow: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Sam Small, 2008
  3. Pat Byrne (21 March 2014). "Pat's guide to what's best in the West". Glasgow West End. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  4. Hansard, HC Deb 28 February 1911 vol 22 c187
  5. Pat Byrne (21 March 2014). "Pat's guide to what's best in the West". Glasgow West End. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  6. "The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's)". Theargylls.co.uk. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  7. "1914-1939". Royal Highland Fusiliers. Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  8. Glasgow Bomb Outrage, The Scotsman newspaper, 29 May 1934
  9. "Maryhill Barracks (now the Wyndford Housing estate)". Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  10. "HQ Company, 52nd Lowland, 6th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland". Retrieved 31 March 2014.
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