{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox military installation |name=Pontefract Barracks |image=Barracks Business Centre - Wakefield Road - geograph.org.uk - 997478.jpg |caption =Pontefract Barracks |type = Barracks |map_type = West Yorkshire |pushpin_map_caption = Location within West Yorkshire |location = Pontefract |coordinates = {{Coord|53.68554|N|1.32647|W|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}} |ownership = Ministry of Defence |operator = {{army|United Kingdom}} |built = 1879 |used=1879–1963 |architect = |built_for = War Office |garrison = |occupants = King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry<br>York and Lancaster Regiment }} '''Pontefract Barracks''' is a former military installation in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England.
==History== The barracks were built in the Fortress Gothic Revival Style and were completed in 1879.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.propertypilot.co.uk/pdf/129+3373.pdf |title=Office investment with development potential |publisher=Edisons |accessdate=16 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128230727/http://www.propertypilot.co.uk/pdf/129+3373.pdf |archivedate=November 28, 2014 }}</ref> Their creation took place as part of the Cardwell Reforms which encouraged the localisation of British military forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9383385/Echoes-of-the-past-in-these-Army-cuts.html|title=Echoes of the past in these Army cuts|date=8 July 2012|accessdate=13 November 2014|archive-date=28 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141128154103/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/9383385/Echoes-of-the-past-in-these-Army-cuts.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The barracks were intended as depot for the 51st (2nd Yorkshire West Riding) Regiment of Foot and the 105th Regiment of Foot (Madras Light Infantry).<ref name=training>{{cite web|url=http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/depot/1873.htm|title=Training Depots|publisher=Regiments.org|accessdate=16 October 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210172841/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/depot/1873.htm|archivedate=10 February 2006}}</ref> Under the Childers Reforms these regiments amalgamated to form the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry with its depot at the barracks in 1881.<ref name=training/> The King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry remained at the barracks until 1938 when they moved to Strensall Camp.<ref name=focus>{{cite web|url=http://www.pontefractus.co.uk/focusyears/pontefract_1959_009.htm|title=Years in Focus|publisher=Pontefractus|accessdate=16 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129012209/http://www.pontefractus.co.uk/focusyears/pontefract_1959_009.htm|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The barracks were also intended as depot for the 65th (2nd Yorkshire, North Riding) Regiment of Foot and the 84th (York and Lancaster) Regiment of Foot.<ref name=training/> Under the Childers Reforms these regiments amalgamated to form the York and Lancaster Regiment with its depot at the barracks in 1881.<ref name=focus/> The barracks were demoted to the status of out-station to the Yorkshire Brigade depot at Queen Elizabeth Barracks in 1958 and closed in 1963.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1964-06-10a.436.8|title=Oral Answers to Questions — British Army|publisher=They work for you|date=10 June 1964|accessdate=16 November 2014|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129070023/http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=1964-06-10a.436.8|url-status=live}}</ref> The barracks were redeveloped by Asquith Properties and converted into serviced offices in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://planning.wakefield.gov.uk/online-applications/propertyDetails.do;jsessionid=D83ECE3E7B0E15727573CAA3A3808CD6?previousCaseType=Application&previousKeyVal=MAJLC3QQ90000&activeTab=summary&previousCaseNumber=12%2F01903%2FFUL&keyVal=002W3OQQLI000|title=Planning application|accessdate=16 November 2014|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129031254/https://planning.wakefield.gov.uk/online-applications/propertyDetails.do;jsessionid=D83ECE3E7B0E15727573CAA3A3808CD6?previousCaseType=Application&previousKeyVal=MAJLC3QQ90000&activeTab=summary&previousCaseNumber=12%2F01903%2FFUL&keyVal=002W3OQQLI000|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/west-yorks-property-development-firm-asquith-properties-in-administration-1-2191897|title=West Yorks property development firm Asquith Properties in administration|newspaper=Yorkshire Post|date=12 September 2008|accessdate=16 February 2019|archive-date=17 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217084928/https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/west-yorks-property-development-firm-asquith-properties-in-administration-1-2191897|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Installations of the British Army Category:Military installations established in 1879 Category:Military installations closed in 1963 Category:Former barracks in England