Warwick Camp (Bermuda)
Warwick Camp | |
---|---|
Rifle ranges Coastal artillery batteries | |
Site information | |
Owner | Government of Bermuda |
Operator | British Army |
Site history | |
Built | 1869 |
Built for | War Office |
In use | 1869-Present |
Garrison information | |
Garrison | Bermuda Garrison |
Occupants | Royal Bermuda Regiment |
'Warwick Camp' was originally the rifle ranges and a training area used by units of the Bermuda Garrison based elsewhere in the colony. Today, the Camp is the home of the Royal Bermuda Regiment.[1]
Early history
The base was located on a strip of land obtained during the mid-Nineteenth century by the
In January, 1869, F Company of the
The Camp enclosed Warwick Long Bay and
The part-time units originally had no camps of their own, their sub-units being divided amongst a number of drill halls, or attached to the regular complements of coastal artillery batteries.[6]
First World War
During the Great War, the Bermuda Militia Artillery (BMA) and the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps (BVRC) were embodied in August 1914 to fulfill their wartime role on a full-time basis (the BMA, in fact, was already embodied for its annual camp). Despite their vital responsibilities to the garrison, both units soon began planning to send contingents of volunteers to the Western Front.
Nicknamed Bullock's Boys (after its Adjutant,
The Second World War
Between the two World Wars, barracks were built on the northern side of the Military Road. Prior to then, units training at Warwick Camp had lived under canvas. By 1939, the numerous
Prior to the December, 1941, entry of the United States into the war, the
After the Second World War
Following the War, the BMA and the BVRC were both reduced to skeleton command structures in 1946. The BVE, the Bermuda Militia Infantry (BMI), and the Home Guard were all disbanded. The BMA and BVRC (renamed the Bermuda Rifles) were both returned to strength in 1951, with the BVRC re-establishing itself at Warwick Camp. The Warwick Camp battery was not re-activated. The coastal artillery's reason for existence, along with that of the entire garrison, soon disappeared, however, when most of the Royal Navy's dockyard was closed in 1951, leaving only a small supply base (HMS Malabar).[12] Following this, the last Regular Army unit (a company of the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry) was withdrawn in 1957.[13][14] In 1953, the last battery of coastal artillery (the St. David's Battery) was removed from use, and the BMA converted to the infantry role (although continuing to wear the Royal Artillery cap badge and uniform), joining the BVRC at Warwick Camp. 1953 was also the final year in which the Imperial Defence Plan, under which the two units had been tasked, was issued. Warwick Camp was among the lands that were slated for disposal by the War Office and the Admiralty, and which were taken over by the local government.
The Bermuda Regiment
With no need to contend with other units for its use, the Bermuda Rifles closed its drill halls and collected its companies together at Warwick Camp. After converting to the infantry role in 1953, the BMA operated from Warwick Camp, also. The legalisation of motor vehicles for personal use in 1948 meant that soldiers with homes or workplaces anywhere in Bermuda could easily attend training dates at Warwick Camp. In 1965, the BMA and the BVRC were amalgamated to form the
Warwick Camp has served, since then, as the Bermuda Regiment's headquarters and only facility. This actually compares very favourably to the situation of most Territorial Army units in Britain, which still operate from drill halls, lacking barracks, rifle ranges and outdoor training areas other than small carparks that double as parade grounds. By comparison, Warwick Camp includes extensive lightly wooded and grassy areas, and full rifle ranges (fuller, in fact, than modern, sub-calibre rifles can make use of. The longest range used today is a 100 metre one, while the longest, which allows shooting at ranges of up to 800 yards, has long lain disused). There are also two 25 metre ranges - one on the south side of the road, and the other within the area enclosed by permanent buildings on the north side of the road (the South Shore Road, formerly the Military Road, which cuts through the camp, is a public thoroughfare, and the land to the south of it now doubles as public parkland). In addition to the ranges for live firing, the Camp also now has a building equipped with the Firearms Training System (FATS), allowing 'shooting' year-round in simulated combat conditions.[16]
The Camp has twelve barrack rooms, capable of accommodating a full rifle company, with support staff.
The facilities available at Warwick Camp, and its use by all elements of the Bermuda Regiment, mean that each rifle company is able to carry out virtually all types of training, from section battle drills, to range work, to IS training, on any given drill night or weekend Camp.
References
- ^ The Bermuda Regiment: contact page
- ^ a b "British Army in Bermuda from 1701 to 1977". Bermuda online. Archived from the original on 14 April 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ISBN 0-19-215932-1
- ^ "A" Company, 1st Battalion, The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry: Prospect Garrison, Devonshire Bermuda: 1954 - 1957.
- ^ 1st Bn, Royal Berkshire Regiment - A sepia photo of the Officers and NCOs of 'D' Company at Warwick Camp Bermuda in August 1894. The Wardrobe: Home of the infantry regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire.
- ^ Bermuda Militia Artillery History, by Jennifer Hind
- ISBN 0-9696517-1-6
- ^ "B.V.R.C. CONTINGENT. LIST OF VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FRONT. TRAINING IN WARWICK CAMP. March Through Hamilton. A FEW MORE NEEDED FOR COMPANY. Date uncertain. Winter, 1914-1915". The Royal Gazette
- ^ "Bermuda's Great War sacrifices remembered". Royal Gazette. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-921560-11-1.
- ^ Heritage Matters: Guns for the Princess of Denmark, by Dr. Edward Harris. The Royal Gazette. 11 September, 2010.
- ^ "Dockyard, Bermuda (Closing)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 3 May 1950. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ UNITED KINGDOM GARRISON, BERMUDA (WITHDRAWAL). House of Commons Debate, 22 May, 1957. Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- ^ "Bermuda's History from 1952 to 1999". Bermuda online. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ "Amalgamation". Bermuda Regiment. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ a b c "Warwick Camp Bermuda". Bermuda Attractions. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ The Bermuda Regiment website: overhead photo of the barracks area on the North side of the South Shore Road (at bottom-right). 6" battery at bottom-left. 25 metre rifle range and FATS building to right of battery. Parade ground in centre. Barracks, PRI, RHQ, and Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess to right. Rifle company offices and Officers' Mess at bottom. RQMS and mess hall at top-centre.
- ^ Photos: Bermuda Regiment Assault Course. Bernews. 25 January, 2013