Old Market Street drill hall, Bristol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Old Market Street drill hall |
|
|---|---|
| Bristol | |
Old Market Street drill hall
|
|
 Old Market Street drill hall
Location in Bristol
|
|
| Coordinates | 51°27′21″N 2°34′55″W / 51.45584°N 2.58190°W |
| Type | Drill hall |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1915 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1915 – 1945 |
The Old Market Street drill hall in Bristol used to be a building for military training. It is located in the historic Old Market area of the city.
History of the Drill Hall
This building was constructed on the site where a sugar warehouse and refinery once stood. Two brothers, George and Henry Wills, paid for its construction. They did this to help provide new homes for groups that had to move because of the building of the Wills Memorial Building.
The new drill hall was finished in June 1915. It became the main base for the 4th (City of Bristol) Battalion of The Gloucestershire Regiment. This military group had moved from their previous location at the Queen's Road drill hall in Clifton.
The Drill Hall During World War II
In 1938, the 4th Gloucestershires changed their role. They became a searchlight battalion, which meant they operated powerful lights to spot enemy aircraft at night. By 1940, they joined the Royal Artillery and were known as the 66th (Gloucesters) Searchlight Regiment, Royal Artillery.
During much of World War II, this regiment was based at Badminton School in Westbury-on-Trym. Because of this, the Old Market Street drill hall was used to house US Army troops. In July 1944, some of these troops were involved in a street disturbance outside the drill hall.
After the War
After World War II ended, the drill hall was no longer needed for military purposes. It was officially taken out of service and slowly fell into disrepair. Over time, the building was renovated and has now been converted into homes for people to live in.
