Bank Street drill hall, Brechin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bank Street drill hall |
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| Brechin, Scotland | |
Bank Street drill hall, Brechin
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 Bank Street drill hall
Location within Angus
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| Coordinates | 56°43′57″N 2°39′23″W / 56.73261°N 2.65632°W |
| Type | Drill hall |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1879 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1879 – 1967 |
The Bank Street drill hall is an old building in Brechin, Scotland. It was once a place where soldiers trained and prepared for duty. Today, it has a completely different use!
Contents
What is a Drill Hall?
A drill hall is like a special training center for soldiers. It's a place where military groups, often called "volunteers" or "reserves," can practice their drills. They learn how to march, use equipment, and work together. These halls also serve as offices and meeting spots for the soldiers.
A Home for Soldiers
The Bank Street drill hall has a long history. It was built a very long time ago, in 1879.
Early Days and Volunteers
When it first opened in November 1879, the building was the main base for a group called the 7th Forfarshire Rifle Volunteers. These were local people who volunteered to train as soldiers. Over time, this group changed its name a few times. By 1887, they became part of a famous Scottish army group called the Black Watch. The front offices of the building were designed by Thomas Martin Cappon in 1897.
Serving in World War I
In 1908, the soldiers based at the drill hall became known as the 5th (Angus and Dundee) Battalion, the Black Watch. When World War I started in August 1914, these soldiers gathered at the drill hall. From there, they were sent to fight on the Western Front, a major battle area in Europe. Later, in March 1916, this group joined with another Black Watch battalion. Their main base then moved to Dundee.
Later Years and New Purpose
Even after the main group moved, a part of the Black Watch battalion, called D Company, continued to use the Bank Street drill hall. They stayed there until 1967, when the battalion was officially closed down. After that, the drill hall was no longer used by the military. Today, the building has a new life! It is now home to a business that makes curtains, called Angus Classic Interiors.
