Gibraltar Barracks, Bury St Edmunds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gibraltar Barracks |
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| Bury St Edmunds | |
Gibraltar Barracks
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 Gibraltar Barracks
Location within Suffolk
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| Coordinates | 52°14′53″N 00°41′54″E / 52.24806°N 0.69833°E |
| Type | Barracks |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Operator |  British Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1878 |
| Built for | War Office |
| Architect | Major HC Seddon RE |
| In use | 1878-Present |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | Royal Anglian Regiment |
Gibraltar Barracks is a military base located in Bury St Edmunds, England. It has been an important site for the British Army for many years. Soldiers have trained and lived here since it first opened.
Contents
History of Gibraltar Barracks
Gibraltar Barracks first opened its doors in 1878. It was built as part of big changes in the British Army. These changes, called the Cardwell Reforms, aimed to keep soldiers closer to their local areas.
Early Days: A Home for Soldiers
The barracks quickly became a main base, or depot, for the 12th (East Suffolk) Regiment of Foot. This regiment later became known as the Suffolk Regiment. In 1881, after more army changes called the Childers Reforms, Gibraltar Barracks officially became the home for the Suffolk Regiment.
Training Centre for Infantry
Over time, the barracks grew even more important. By 1960, it was a key training centre for infantry soldiers. Infantry are soldiers who fight on foot. It was known as the East Anglian Brigade Depot. The barracks also served as the main headquarters for the Royal Anglian Regiment. This continued until the 2010s, when the regiment moved to a new base nearby.
Suffolk Regiment Museum
Inside Gibraltar Barracks, there is a special museum. It is called the Suffolk Regiment Museum. It first opened in 1935 in the officers' mess building. Later, in the late 1960s, it moved to the old keep building.
What You Can See at the Museum
The museum is a great place to learn about the history of the Suffolk Regiment. It displays many interesting items, including:
- Old uniforms worn by soldiers
- Weapons used in different wars
- Trophies won by the regiment
- Badges and symbols of the soldiers
- Musical instruments from military bands
- Other cool items that tell the story of the regiment
