Wyvern Barracks

For the Cavalry barracks in Exeter, see Higher Barracks, Exeter.

Wyvern Barracks

Exeter

Entrance to Wyvern Barracks

Wyvern Barracks

Location within Devon

Coordinates| 50°42′41″N 03°30′41″W﻿ / ﻿50.71139°N 3.51139°W﻿ / 50.71139; -3.51139
Type| Barracks
Site information
Owner| Ministry of Defence
Operator|  British Army
Site history
Built| 1800
Built for| War Office
In use| 1800-Present
Garrison information
Occupants| 6th Battalion, The Rifles

Wyvern Barracks is a military installation on Topsham Road in Exeter.

## History

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The site was established as an artillery barracks for the Board of Ordnance under the name of Topsham Barracks around 1800.[1] In 1873 a system of recruiting areas based on counties was instituted under the Cardwell Reforms and the barracks became the depot for the two battalions of the 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot.[2] Following the Childers Reforms, the regiment evolved to become the Devonshire Regiment with its depot in the barracks in 1881.[2]

During the First World War a reserve brigade of the Royal Field Artillery was based there[3] and during the Second World War units of the United States Army were based there.[4] After becoming home to the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment in 1958,[5] the barracks went on to become the regional centre for infantry training as the Wessex Brigade Depot under the name of Wyvern Barracks in 1960.[6]

## Current units

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It is currently home to:[7][8]

* Battalion HQ, HQ Company and an Assault Pioneer Platoon of 6th Battalion, The Rifles
* Exeter University Officers' Training Corps
* B Detachment of 243 Multi-Role Medical Regiment
* 715 Military Intelligence Section of 71 Military Intelligence Company of 7 Military Intelligence Battalion.

## References

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wyvern Barracks, Exeter.

1. ^ Historic England. "Guard House and attached wall Wyvern Barracks (1109979)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
2. ^ a b "Training Depots". Regiments.org. Archived from the original on 10 February 2006. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
3. ^ "The Royal Artillery depots, training units and home defences". Retrieved 10 April 2014.
4. ^ "Black American GIs arrive in Exeter". Retrieved 18 April 2014.
5. ^ "Amalgamation 1958". Retrieved 10 April 2014.
6. ^ "Infantry Brigade Depots (Location)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 7 March 1958. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
7. ^ "6th Battalion The Rifles". The Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
8. ^ "Local Army Directory". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 10 July 2015.