Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Site of barracks first built in 1797 as barracks for the local West Kent Militia and cavalry. By 1813 it was being used for training army horses and as a depot for cavalry units for India.

Monument Types

• BARRACKS (Cavalry and later Infantry, Post Medieval to Modern - 1797 AD to 1963 AD)
• PARADE GROUND (Post Medieval to Modern - 1797 AD to 1980 AD)
• SIGNAL STATION? (Possible site of, Modern to Unknown - 1914 AD?)

Full description

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Site of barracks first built in 1797 as barracks for the local West Kent Militia and cavalry regiments departing to India by John King a local magistrate who won the contract. By 1813 it was being used for training new army horses. During the later 19th century additional brick barrack buildings were built and some of the wooden barracks blocks, with the exception of the Officers Mess (TQ 75 NE 294) replaced. In 1963 Invicta Barracks were built to the north and the exisiting barracks closed as a result of a reorganisation of Regiments. The site, with the exception of the Officers mess were demolished in the late 1980's. (1,2, 3)

Evaluation trenching revealed building and structural remains forming part of the 18th century and later barracks. No earlier remains were identified. (4)

Excavation undertaken by Pre-Construct Archaeology in 2010 at the site of Maidstone Cavalry Barracks, adjacent to James Whathan Way, Maidstone, prior to construction works. Site of the Maidstone Cavalry Barracks, known to have been constructed in 1797-8 and demolished in 1995. Several phases of construction were noted: firstly the construction of a barracks block, ancillary buildings, and a separate stongroom. Two revetment walls allowed terracing of the land; possibly dating to the original phase of construction, though maybe related to later development on the site. By the early 20th century two further substantial buildings appear; one probably another barracks block; the other possibly an officer's block. The mid 20th century sees the expansion of the officer's block, further ancillary buildings, and another barracks block or stables. Demolition of the site in 1995 truncated archaeological deposits on the west of the site. (5)

A possible early wireless telegraph exists archeologically on the site. An Admiralty order (OA43) confirms the use of wireless equipped aircraft in a spotting capacity for coastal gun batteries. This identifies Maidstone barracks as one of the ground receiving stations. (7)

Additional bibliography. (6)

Oxford Archaeological South, 2016, First World War Wireless Stations in England. (Bibliographic reference). SKE31551.

<1> Clark, P. & Murfin, L., 1995, The History of Maidstone: The Making of a Modern County Town (Monograph). SKE8080.

<2> Russell, J. M., 1881 & 1978, The History of Maidstone, Page 368 (Monograph). SKE8081.

<3> Douvet, J., 1998, British Barracks 1600 - 1914, Page 81-2, 104, 196 (Monograph). SKE8083.

<3> Oxford Archaeology, 2002, James Whatman Way, Maidstone: Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SKe8082.

<4> Douvet, J., 1998, British Barracks 1600 - 1914, Page 81-2, 104, 196 (Monograph). SKe8083.

<4> Oxford Archaeology, 2002, James Whatman Way, Maidstone: Archaeological Evaluation (Unpublished document). SKE8082.

<5> Pre-Construct Archaeology, 2010, Land off James Whatman Way, Maidstone, Kent: Assessment of an Archaeological Investigation (Unpublished document). SKE16381.

<6> Pre-Construct Archaeology, 2010, Rediscovering The Cavalry Barracks: Archaeological Investigations Adjacent to James Whatman Way, Maidstone (Unpublished document). SKE17121.

Sources and further reading

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