|
Grand Shaft Barracks
(Take the Soldiers' Trail)
Overview
Built in 1803 to house 1,200 soldiers, the Grand Shaft Barracks
was an impressive series of buildings and designed to be the
main accommodation for the Western Heights. It was linked to the
Drop Redoubt via a staircase leading up to a bridge (now
removed) and, by 1809, to the sea front via the Grand Shaft
staircase.
Today, all that remains of this complex of barracks are the
terraces upon which they were built and the vestiges of their
walls and associated outbuildings. Steps linking one terrace
with the next also still exist. The handrails and fencing around
the remains are a more recent addition. Apart from
accommodation, the facilities provided for the troops were: a
recreation room, reading room, coffee bar, ball court, skittle
alley, wash house, cook house, workshop, meat store, library,
gymnasium, latrines, officers’ quarters, and a stable block.
The busiest period for the Barracks came during the return of
troops from the Crimean War in 1856, and during World War II.
During this latter conflict the need for barrack accommodation
was high and many regiments were based at the barracks, others
being stationed elsewhere around the fortifications. At this
time, the whole of Western Heights would have been a hive of
activity and the site was heavily guarded. Unauthorised access
to the barracks site would have been near impossible through the
North Entrance and Archcliffe Gate, and armed sentries guarded
all other means of entry.
 Grand
Shaft Barracks in the 1850s, from the top of St.Martin’s Steps.
The top of the Grand Shaft is on the right of the parade ground,
with Drop Redoubt in the background
Courtesy of Dover Museum
The Barracks 1945-1960
After World War II, the need for barrack accommodation of this
size diminished and alternative uses were being sought. Up to
1959, shortly before its final closure, some of the buildings
provided temporary accommodation for officers and their families
between postings. During this period, only a few of the
buildings or facilities were open, the rest acting as stores or
simply left empty and locked up. At this time, the officers’
accommodation was known as 20 MFH (Married Families Hostel) and
by the end of 1959 was home to around 150 people.
 An
impressive view of Grand Shaft Barracks from the Harbour.
Photo courtesy of Paul Wells
By 1960 the buildings were being condemned as unfit for
habitation, and it was decided to demolish them. Just before
this happened, the site was used in the production of the film
‘War Game’ - produced by the BBC - portraying the aftermath of a
nuclear attack in Britain. The crumbling buildings of the Grand
Shaft Barracks provided a suitable setting. Following
demolition, despite several plans to develop the site, it was
abandoned for many years. Slowly, all that remained of the
buildings were covered by trees, bushes and grass and the site
became wasteland. It was the home to burnt-out cars and used for
socially undesirable activities.
Today, the site is owned by Dover District Council and
administered by the White Cliffs Countryside Project. In 1999,
improvements were made to the area. The trees were cut back,
undergrowth removed and the whole area was opened up and
provided with interpretation panels.
1 Rifle Range
2 Married Quarters
3 Officers’ Mess
4 Officers’ Quarters
5 B Block – Soldiers’ Quarters
6 A Block – Soldiers’ Quarters
7 C Block – Soldiers’ Quarters
8 Gymnasium
9 Vehicles
10 Wood and Coal Store
11 Group Officers’ Quarters
12 Woman Officer’s Quarters
13 Married Soldiers’ Quarters
14 Guard Room
15 Regimental Institute
16 Armourer’s Shop
17 Carpenter’s Shop
18 Garage
19 R.E.Stores
20 M.E.W. Stores
21 (Off plan) Infants’ School
22 (Off plan) Playground
23 (Off plan) R.E. Store
24 W.O.’s Quarters
25 R.E.Office
26 R.E.Quarters
== Present road & carpark
Gallery
View from Wellington Bridge
Commercial Quay in foreground
Site of Grand Shaft Barracks as seen today
Remains of Soldiers' Quarters
Guard House privies and magazine (far right)
|
