Hanworth Road drill hall, Hounslow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hanworth Road drill hall |
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| Hounslow | |
Hanworth Road drill hall
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 Hanworth Road drill hall
Location within Greater London
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| Coordinates | 51°27′54″N 0°21′51″W / 51.46494°N 0.36426°W |
| Type | Drill hall |
| Site history | |
| Built | c.1902 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | c.1902-Present |
The Hanworth Road drill hall was a special building in Hounslow, London, used by the military. A drill hall is a place where soldiers train, practice drills, and gather for important events. This building served as a key location for different army groups for many years.
History of the Drill Hall
The Hanworth Road drill hall was built around 1902. It was designed to be the main base for a group of soldiers called the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment. These "volunteer" soldiers trained in their spare time to be ready to help if needed.
Changes to Army Units
Over time, the army units using the drill hall changed. In 1908, the 2nd Volunteer Battalion became the 8th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment. When World War I started in August 1914, these soldiers were called into active service. They gathered at the drill hall before being sent to the Western Front, which was a major battle area in France and Belgium.
After World War II, in 1947, the battalion changed again. It became the 11th (Middlesex) Battalion of The Parachute Regiment. Paratroopers are soldiers trained to jump from planes. However, this change did not last long. In 1956, the unit went back to being the 8th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment. Then, in 1961, it was re-numbered as the 5th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment.
Becoming a Hotel
In 1967, there were some big changes in the military, and many army bases were closed or reduced. The Hanworth Road drill hall was no longer needed by the army. It was then turned into a hotel. The building was renamed the Treaty Lodge Hotel. It is thought that the name "Treaty Lodge" came from the Treaty of Vereeniging. This important peace treaty was signed in May 1902, around the same time the drill hall was built.
