Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

South Front Barracks was built in the early 1860s. The principal building was the Casemated Barracks which stood on the southern slope. The barracks ceased to be used for accommodation in the early 20th century and became fully disused by 1927. Some parts were used during the Second World War and were also damaged during this period. The main buildings were demolished in 1959. (location accurate to the nearest 100m based on available information)

Monument Types

• BARRACKS (Demolished, Post Medieval to Modern - 1858 AD? to 1945 AD?)

Full description

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Summarised from report:

In 1860, the Defence Committee was of the opinion that the vicinity of the South Lines was the best site for the new barracks. The construction of the barracks involved the modification of the pre-existing South Lines Casemates, the Napoleonic gun rooms which are shown on a plan of 1810. New work on the South Front of the Western Heights began around 1858 as part of a larger design and construction programme to upgrade all of the defences. It was in April 1860 that the Defence Committee considered the construction of casemated barracks in the South Lines, to provide bombproof accommodation for 400 men. This was to bring the Western Heights garrison up to the recommended strength of 91 officers and 2437 men.

Work on the South Front as a whole began in 1860 and continued until mid-decade. More buildings were added gradually thereafter, to meet new or changing requirements. The main building of South Front Barracks, referred to as the Casemated Barracks, stood on the moderate southern slope of the Western Heights, in a protected position provided by a contemporary extension to the South Lines. The remainder of the complex, in 1871 comprising a Canteen and Recreational Establishment, Married Soldiers Quarters, Laundry, Stables and Bread and Meat Store, was built on rising ground between the Casemated Barracks and Citadel Road. Store buildings were added along Citadel Road before the end of the century. By 1912, the Casemated Barracks ceased to function as accommodation, instead serving the Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) for Records and Pay Offices. These were disused in 1927, though store buildings may have remained in use. Some buildings were probably in use during the Second World War; aerial photographs taken in 1941 show bomb or shell damage in the area, including two direct hits on the Married Soldier’s Quarters. The damage had not been repaired in 1945 and 1950; by 1953 the site appears derelict. In 1959 the Casemated Barracks, Married Quarters, Laundry and most other structures were demolished but some buildings on Citadel Road were taken on by the Home Office (and remain in use). The site of the Casemated Barracks is occupied by a haulage yard. (1)

<1> RCHME, 2001, The Western Heights, Dover, Kent. Report No 9: South Front Barracks. Later 19th and 20th-century barracks complex (Unpublished document). SKE17505.

Sources and further reading

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