Carver Barracks

Carver Barracks is a British Army base on the former site of RAF Debden, approximately 1 mile north of the village of Debden, in Essex. The nearest town is Saffron Walden. It is set to close in 2031.

Carver Barracks
Debden, Uttlesford
Entrance to Carver Barracks
Carver Barracks is located in Essex
Carver Barracks
Carver Barracks
Location within Essex
Coordinates51.98757°N 0.28416°E / 51.98757; 0.28416
TypeBarracks
Site information
OwnerMinistry of Defence
Operator British Army
Site history
Built1935–1937
Built forWar Office
In use1975–present
Garrison information
Occupants33 Engineer Regiment and 35 Engineer Regiment

History

The airfield was built in 1935–37 and the runways laid in 1940. It was first occupied by the Royal Air Force (RAF), followed by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in September 1942. It was returned to RAF control on 5 September 1945. After the RAF withdrew from the station in 1974, the site was handed to the British Army and re-established as Carver Barracks in 1975.[1] The barracks was named after Field Marshal Lord Carver, a former Royal Tank Regiment officer.[2]

In the 1980s, Carver Barracks was home to the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, the 13th/18th Royal Hussars, the 9th/12th Royal Lancers and the 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers – all armoured reconnaissance regiments. The site is now home to 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search)[3] and 35 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal).[4]

Based units

The following units are based at Carver Barracks.[5]

Future

In November 2016, the Ministry of Defence announced that the site would close in 2031 as part of the Better Defence Estate plan.[6]

References
  1. "Debden Airfield". Pastscape. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  2. "A Short History of Carver Barracks – Wimbish". Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  3. "33 Engineer Regiment (EOD)". Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  4. "35 Engineer Regiment (EOD)". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  5. Lancaster, Mark (29 November 2018). "Army:Written question - 194616". UK Parliament. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  6. "A Better Defence Estate" (PDF). Ministry of Defence. November 2016. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
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