Gamecock Barracks is a British Army installation located at Bramcote, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) south-east of Nuneaton in Warwickshire.
| Gamecock Barracks | |
|---|---|
  Gamecock Barracks Location within Warwickshire | |
| Coordinates | 52°29′23″N 01°23′57″W / 52.48972°N 1.39917°W |
| Type | Barracks |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Operator |  British Army |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1959 |
| In use | 1959–present |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 30 Signal Regiment |
History
editThe barracks was established on the site of the former RAF Bramcote airbase in 1959. It was named after HMS Gamecock, the naval ship name given to the airbase by the Royal Navy before the British Army took over.[1]
The barracks were home to the Junior Leaders' Regiment Royal Artillery between the 1960s and the 1990s, which was a training establishment for the future non-commissioned officers of the Royal Artillery. It was one of many different types of Junior establishments for soldiers serving from the age of 15 to 17 years (until the school leaving age was raised to 16). After completing their military and trade training, which initially took two years, but was latterly reduced to 12 months, they would muster to their designated Field Army artillery regiments.[2]
In 1993, 30 Signal Regiment moved to the barracks. The regiment's personnel are held at very high notice to move, to be utilised worldwide in a matter of days, earning the regiment the nickname 'The Globetrotters'. The regiment's primary role is to support the Standing Joint Force Headquarters (SJFHQ).[3]
Current units
editSince 1993, the barracks has been occupied by 30 Signal Regiment. The Regimental Headquarters, Queen's Gurkha Signals is also based here. Commander QG SIGNALS is also the Commanding Officer of 30 Signal Regiment.[4]
Future
editIn November 2016, following a review of the defence infrastructure, it was announced that Gamecock Barracks would additionally be home to the following units:[5]
- 30 Signal Regiment - (remaining in location)
- 170 (Infrastructure Support) Engineer Group, Royal Engineers - relocating from Chetwynd Barracks, Chilwell
- Headquarters, 2nd Medical Brigade - relocating from Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall
- 34 Field Hospital - relocating from Queen Elizabeth Barracks, Strensall
- Medical Training Facility
Together with Whittington Barracks, this would form a West Midlands-based Defence Medical Services centre of excellence.
References
edit- ^ "RNAS Bramcote / HMS Gamecock". Royal Navy Research Archive. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ "The Junior Leaders Regiment RA". G Carline. Archived from the original on 13 March 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
- ^ "30 Signal Regiment | The British Army".
- ^ "Queen's Gurkha Signals | The British Army". 30 September 2023.
- ^ "A Better Defence Estate" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. November 2016.