Bridge Street drill hall, Macclesfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bridge Street drill hall |
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| Macclesfield | |
Bridge Street drill hall
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 Bridge Street drill hall
Location in Cheshire
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| Coordinates | 53°15′38″N 2°07′53″W / 53.26054°N 2.13150°W |
| Type | Drill hall |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1871 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1871 – 1990 |
The Bridge Street drill hall is an old building in Macclesfield, Cheshire. It used to be a place where soldiers trained and prepared for military duties. Think of it like a special gym and meeting place for army volunteers.
Contents
A Look Back: The History of the Drill Hall
Building a Training Hub
The Bridge Street drill hall was built in 1871. It was designed to be the main base for a group called the 8th Cheshire Rifle Volunteers. These were local people who volunteered to train as soldiers.
Changing Names and Roles
Over the years, the military group based at the drill hall changed its name several times.
- In 1883, they became the 5th Volunteer Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment.
- Then, in 1908, they were known as the 7th Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment. A "battalion" is a large group of soldiers, usually hundreds of them.
World War I and Beyond
When World War I started in August 1914, the soldiers from this battalion got ready for war right there at the drill hall. This is called being "mobilised." They were then sent to fight in important battles, first in a place called Gallipoli, and later on the Western Front in Europe.
After the war, the battalion continued its work. In 1967, two groups joined together. The 7th Battalion combined with the 4th Battalion to form a new group called the 4th/7th Battalion.
The Final Years and New Life
By 1988, fewer soldiers were using the Bridge Street drill hall. Only a small group, called B Company, was left there. A "company" is a smaller group of soldiers, usually around 100.
In 1990, B Company moved to a different military base nearby. This meant the Bridge Street drill hall was no longer needed for military training. It was "decommissioned," which means it was officially taken out of military service. Since then, the building has been changed into apartments, giving it a new purpose for people to live in.
