Yeomanry House, Reading facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yeomanry House |
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| Reading, Berkshire | |
Yeomanry House (just visible in the background behind the wall)
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 Yeomanry House
Berkshire
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| Coordinates | 51°27′03″N 0°58′54″W / 51.45096°N 0.98177°W |
| Type | Military headquarters |
| Site history | |
| Built | Early 19th century |
| In use | Early 19th century-Present |
Yeomanry House is an old building in Reading, Berkshire, that used to be a place for military activities. It's a special building because it's a Grade II listed building, which means it's important for its history or architecture and is protected.
The Story of Yeomanry House
The building we now call Yeomanry House was first built in the early 1800s. Back then, it was known as Castle Hill House. It was a private home for many years.
A Home for Soldiers
Around 1906, the house became the main base for the Berkshire Yeomanry. This was a special part of the British Army made up of volunteer soldiers, often on horseback. At the same time, a riding school was built nearby. This riding school later became a "drill hall," which is a large building where soldiers train and practice their skills.
World War I and Beyond
When World War I started in August 1914, the soldiers of the Berkshire Yeomanry gathered at this drill hall. From there, they were sent to fight in important battles, first in a place called Gallipoli and then on the Western Front in Europe.
After the war, a part of the army called 395 (Berkshire Yeomanry) Battery of the Royal Artillery continued to use the drill hall. The Royal Artillery is the part of the army that uses cannons and other big guns.
Changes Over Time
In the 1930s, the drill hall was also used by a group that handled supplies for a large army division. This group made sure soldiers had everything they needed.
However, in 1967, the government decided to spend less money on the military. Because of these "defence cuts," the drill hall was no longer needed by the army. It was taken out of service.
The old drill hall building was taken down in 1995. A new building was built on that spot in 2000. This new building is now the Berkshire Record Office, a place where important historical documents and records from Berkshire are kept safe.
