{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox military installation | name = Mitcham Road Barracks | image = Mitcham Road Barracks, Croydon.jpg | caption = Mitcham Road Barracks, Croydon | type = Drill hall | map_type = Greater London | pushpin_map_caption = Location within London | location = [[Croydon]] | coordinates = {{Coord| 51.37781|N| 0.11003|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | ownership = | operator = | built = 1794 | used = 1794-Present | architect = | built_for = [[War Office]] | garrison = }}
'''Mitcham Road Barracks''' is an [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Army Reserve]] centre in [[Croydon]], [[London]], with a history dating back to 1794. ==History== The barracks were designed as a depot for recruits of the [[Grenadier Guards]], the [[Coldstream Guards]] and the [[Scots Guards]] regiments and were completed, as part of the British response to the [[French Revolution]], in 1794.<ref name=drill>{{cite web|url=https://www.drillhalls.org/Counties/Surrey/TownCroydon.htm |title= Mitcham Road Barracks|publisher=The Drill Hall Project|accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref> The barracks became the headquarters of the [[4th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)|2nd Surrey Rifle Volunteers]] in 1859.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/militia_vol_territorials/mvt41_1.shtml|title=The Surrey Rifle Volunteers 1859 - 1908|publisher=Queen's Royal Surreys|accessdate=31 January 2020}}</ref> The 2nd Surrey Rifle Volunteers evolved to become the [[4th Battalion, Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)]] in 1908.<ref name=drill/> The battalion was mobilised at the drill hall in August 1914 before being deployed to [[India]].<ref name=trail>{{cite web|url=https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/queens-royal-west-surrey-regiment/|title= Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment)|publisher=The Long, Long Trail|accessdate=31 May 2016}}</ref> After benefitting from a major modernisation of the barracks in the 1930s, the battalion became a searchlight regiment in 1938 and a light anti-aircraft regiment in 1942.<ref name=regiments4>{{cite web|url= http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vinf-so/sy-W4.htm|title= 4th Battalion, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)|publisher= Regiments.org|accessdate= 29 June 2017|url-status= bot: unknown|archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20051116043935/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vinf-so/sy-W4.htm|archivedate= 16 November 2005}}</ref>
The battalion was reconstituted as 598th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, [[Royal Artillery]] in 1947 and evolved to become a battery within 565th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery in 1955, while still based at the Mitcham Road Barracks.<ref name=regiments4/> The unit reverted to its county infantry regiment status title as part of the 3rd Battalion, The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment in 1961.<ref name=regiments4/> The battalion was reduced to company size as D Company, 6th (Territorial) Battalion, The Queen's Regiment (Queen's Surreys), still based at the Mitcham Road Barracks, in 1967.<ref name=reg>{{cite web|url=http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vinf-so/sy-q6.htm|title=The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment|publisher=Regiments.org|accessdate=29 June 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051122173338/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vinf-so/sy-q6.htm|archivedate=22 November 2005}}</ref> However the company was disbanded following a reorganisation in 1971.<ref name=reg/>
Meanwhile, C (Kent and County of London) Squadron, the [[Royal Yeomanry]] had also been formed at the Mitcham Road Barracks in 1967;<ref name=regimentsry>{{cite web|url=http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vcav/1RYR.htm|title=The Royal Yeomanry|publisher=Regiments.org|accessdate=29 June 2017|url-status=bot: unknown|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051123115227/http://regiments.org/regiments/uk/volmil-england/vcav/1RYR.htm|archivedate=23 November 2005}}</ref> it evolved to become C (Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry) Company, the Royal Yeomanry in 1999.<ref name=regimentsry/>
==Current use== The barracks still remains an active [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|Army Reserve]] Centre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Drill Hall Register |url=https://www.steppingforwardlondon.org/assets/docs/sections/17.pdf |accessdate=29 June 2017 |publisher=Stepping Forward London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=C Squadron, the Royal Yeomanry |url=http://www.army.mod.uk/armoured/regiments/34091.aspx |accessdate=29 June 2017}}</ref> It currently accommodates:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Army Reserve Units {{!}} Croydon |url=https://jobs.army.mod.uk/army-reserve/find-a-reserve-centre/south-east/mitcham-road-the-barracks/}}</ref>
* C Squadron ([[Kent and Sharpshooters Yeomanry]]), [[The Royal Yeomanry]], in Sharpshooter House<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Local armed forces presence {{!}} Croydon Council |url=https://www.croydon.gov.uk/community-and-safety/support-groups-and-advice/armed-forces-community-covenant/local-armed-forces-presence |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=www.croydon.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref> * 150 Platoon, 133 Divisional Recovery Company, 103 Force Support Battalion, [[Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers]] * Mortar Platoon of B Company, [[4th Battalion, Parachute Regiment]], in Arnhem House<ref name=":0" />
==References== {{reflist}}
[[Category:Drill halls in London]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in the London Borough of Croydon]] [[Category:History of the London Borough of Croydon]] [[Category:Military installations established in 1794]]