Type Barracks In use 1800-Present | Year built 1800 | |
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Occupants 6th Battalion, The Rifles | ||
Wyvern Barracks is a military installation on Topsham Road in Exeter.
History
The site was established as an artillery barracks for the Board of Ordnance under the name of Topsham Barracks around 1800. In 1873 a system of recruiting areas based on counties was instituted under the Cardwell Reforms and the barracks became the depot for the two battalions of the 10th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot. Following the Childers Reforms, the regiment evolved to become the Devonshire Regiment with its depot in the barracks in 1881.
During the First World War a reserve brigade of the Royal Field Artillery was based there and during the Second World War units of the United States Army were based there. After becoming home to the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment in 1958, the barracks went on to become the regional centre for infantry training as the Wessex Brigade Depot under the name of Wyvern Barracks in 1960. It is currently home to Battalion HQ, HQ Company and an Assault Pioneer Platoon of 6th Battalion, The Rifles and Exeter UOTC, as well as B Detachment of 243 Field Hospital and 72 Military Intelligence Company Detachment of 7 Military Intelligence Battalion.