{{Short description|Military installation in Oxfordshire, England}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox military installation | name = MOD Bicester | native_name = | partof = | location = Bicester, Oxfordshire | country = England | image = 250px | caption = Entrance at DE&S Bicester | image2 = MinistryofDefence.svg | map_type = Oxfordshire | coordinates = {{coord|51.87881|-1.14682|type:landmark|display=inline}} | map_size = | map_alt = | map_caption = MOD Bicester within Oxfordshire | type = Storage and Distribution Centre <br>Barracks | code = | built = {{Start date|1942}} | builder = | materials = | height = | used = 1942–Present | demolished = | condition = | ownership = Ministry of Defence | open_to_public = No | controlledby = | garrison = | current_commander = | commanders = | occupants = 1 Regiment RLC | battles = | events = }} '''MOD Bicester''' is a large military installation consisting of two barracks and a storage and distribution centre, just outside Bicester in Oxfordshire. The St David's Barracks part of the base, home to 1 Regiment RLC, is set to close in 2028.
==History== thumb|left|COD Bicester prior to D-Day, 1944. The site dates back to September 1942, when a depot was constructed near Bicester to provide logistical support for operations in Europe during the Second World War.<ref name=history>{{cite web|url=http://www.blhs.org.uk/index.php?page=bicester-cod|title=Bicester Military Railway|publisher=Bicester Local History Society|accessdate=2 May 2015}}</ref> In 1961 the ordnance depots at Didcot and Branston were closed and a '''Central Ordnance Depot''' was created at Bicester.<ref name=history/> Between 1980 and 1982, the ordnance depots at Chilwell and Ruddington were also closed, resulting in an increased role for the remaining central ordnance depots at Bicester and Donnington.<ref name=history/> The depot became known as the '''Defence Storage and Distribution Centre''' in April 1999.<ref name=history/> The base is serviced by the Bicester Military Railway.<ref name="history" />
A bomb disposal training base, built at a cost of circa £100 million and including a cave complex, a dive pool and roadways was established at '''St George's Barracks''' on the site in March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-21805882|title=Bicester bomb disposal training base opens|publisher=BBC|date=15 March 2013|accessdate=2 May 2015}}</ref>
In September 2014, 23 Pioneer Regiment, which had been based at '''St David's Barracks''' on the site since the 1940s, was disbanded.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-29365433|title=Disbanded 23 Pioneer Regiment in final parade|publisher=BBC|date=26 September 2014|accessdate=2 May 2015}}</ref>
1 Regiment RLC moved from Gütersloh in Germany to St David's Barracks at Bicester in 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sce.web8.devwebsite.co.uk/_files/users/12/356B18DEC47C4BE44AD3C73605E578E6.pdf|title=Future of British Army bases in Germany Revealed|publisher=Ministry of Defence|accessdate=2 May 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304130131/http://sce.web8.devwebsite.co.uk/_files/users/12/356B18DEC47C4BE44AD3C73605E578E6.pdf|archivedate=4 March 2016}}</ref>
== Current units == Units based at the site include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=1 Regiment RLC {{!}} The British Army |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/corps-regiments-and-units/royal-logistic-corps/rlc-regular-units/1-regiment-rlc/}}</ref>
'''St David’s Barracks'''
* 1 Regiment ** 74 Headquarters Squadron ** 23 General Support Squadron ** 12 Close Support Squadron ** 2 Close Support Squadron ** REME Light Aid Detachment '''St George’s Barracks'''
* Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), Munitions, and Search (DEMS) Training Regiment<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 September 2023 |title=British Army - DEFENCE EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL, MUNITIONS AND SEARCH - DEMS TRAINING REGIMENT |url=https://www.army.mod.uk/who-we-are/formations-divisions-brigades/field-army-troops/land-warfare-centre/rsme-group/defence-explosive-ordnance-disposal-munitions-and-search/}}</ref>
==Future== The St David's Barracks portion is earmarked for disposal, with a closure date of 2028.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forces.net/news/your-military-base-closing-read-full-list-sites-shutting|title=Is Your Military Base Closing? Read The Full List Of Sites Shutting|date=20 October 2020|publisher=Forces News|accessdate=20 October 2020|archive-date=5 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805215139/https://www.forces.net/news/your-military-base-closing-read-full-list-sites-shutting|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==See also== *MoD Donnington
==References== {{reflist}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Bicester}} Category:Installations of the British Army Category:Barracks in England Category:Installations of the Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) Category:Military installations established in 1942