North Yorkshire Military Base Recognised for Historic Significance
A pioneering mental health and welfare facility for soldiers is 1 of 6 new historic buildings to be listed at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.
Situated south of Richmond, Catterick Garrison began life as a temporary military training facility during the First World War to accommodate 2 army divisions, numbering around 40,000 troops. In the 1920s, the camp became permanent and an extensive building programme over the next 2 decades made it the most significant addition to the army’s estate during the inter-war period.
The most architecturally impressive and historically significant building constructed during this period is the former Sandes Soldiers' Home, which has been listed at Grade II*, elevating it to among the top 8% of England’s most important historic sites.
The facility was built in 1928 as the brainchild of Elise Sandes, a remarkable woman who dedicated her life to the welfare of British Army soldiers. Born in 1851, she founded the Soldiers' Home organisation in Ireland in 1869, which provided mental health support and welfare facilities to soldiers, irrespective of rank or religion.
Sandes' vision for the Soldiers' Home was revolutionary for its time. Whilst many Victorian charities focused on supporting soldiers' families, Sandes' organisation prioritised the soldiers themselves, providing them with a sanctuary away from the temptations of alcohol, gambling, and prostitution. Run by women, the Sandes Soldiers' Home offered a pioneering approach to mental health support within a military setting.
Newly listing a building at Grade II* is a rare occurrence but the former Sandes Soldier’s Home thoroughly deserves this higher level of listing in recognition of both its architectural quality and its historical association with Elise Sandes.
Also newly listed at Catterick Garrison
Baden Powell House, Grade II
Constructed in 1935, Baden Powell House originally served as the headquarters of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division. Designed in a neoclassical style with Art Deco interior elements, the building represents a blend of tradition and modernity reflective of the progressive ethos of its time.
Army Education Centre, Grade II
The Army Education Centre was built for the Royal Corps of Signals in 1933, specifically for training radio operators. With its specialised training facilities, the Centre played a crucial role in equipping soldiers with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of modern warfare, particularly during the Second World War.
Vimy Officers' Mess, Servants Quarters, and Squash Racket Court, Grade II
Vimy Officers' Mess was built in about 1926 and was occupied by the officers of the newly formed Royal Corps of Signals. It is a handsome and imposing building that blends the elegant architectural style with military functionality.
Building 55, former Officers' Mess, Grade II
The oldest building to be listed at Catterick Garrison, Building 55 is one of the original 2000 concrete Armstrong huts built at the site during the First World War.
Pinhill Mess, Grade II
Constructed in 1928, Pinhill Mess was one of the first new buildings at Catterick Garrison, following the decision to make it a permanent base. Architecturally, the building is in the Queen Anne style reminiscent of country houses from the late 17th and early 18th centuries, which invokes a sense of status and tradition.
