Victoria Barracks, Windsor

Victoria Barracks is a British Army barracks located 0.25 miles (0.40 km) south of Windsor Castle.

Victoria Barracks
Windsor, Berkshire in England
Band of The Scots Guards leaves Victoria Barracks
Victoria Barracks Shown within Berkshire
Coordinates	51°28′43″N 000°36′26″W
Type	Barracks
Site information
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Operator	British Army
Site history
Built	1853 (1853)
Built for	War Office
In use	1853-Present
Garrison information
Occupants	1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards

History

The original barracks were built in 1853^[1] and were enlarged in 1911.^[2] The old barracks were completely demolished in 1988 and new barracks were built between 1989^[3] and 1993.^[4]

The barracks remain the place from where troops set off to change the guard at Windsor Castle.^[5] The Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle takes place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 11am.^[6]

Intruder

In April 2022, an intruder who was a priest managed to spend the night at the barracks despite showing no identification or credentials, reportedly eating and drinking with senior officers, having claimed to have been a friend of the battalion's padre.^[7] Thames Valley Police officers attended and removed the intruder, Father Cruz, from the barracks. No further action was taken. However, an Army spokesman said: "The Army takes this breach of security extremely seriously and it will be thoroughly investigated as a matter of priority."^[8]

Units

The sole garrisoned unit, the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, is a light infantry battalion operating as part of the 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade.^[9]

References

1. "A brief history of Windsor". Retrieved 31 March 2014.
2. "The royal borough of Windsor: Introduction, A History of the County of Berkshire: Volume 3". 1923. pp. 1–5. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
3. "Victoria Barracks". Hansard. 18 October 1889. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
4. Naylor, p. 199
5. "Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle". Retrieved 31 March 2014.
6. "Guard at Windsor Castle - Ceremonial Events - The Household Division - Official site". www.householddivision.org.uk. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
7. McSherry, Gemma (2 May 2022). "Fake priest 'spends night at army barracks near Windsor Castle'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
8. "Army investigates intruder reports at Windsor base". BBC News. 3 May 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
9. "Future Soldier Guide" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. 1 October 2023.

Sources

• Naylor, Murray (1995). Among Friends: Scots Guards 1956-93. Pen & Sword. ISBN 978-0850524550.