The Dover Garrison - 

Western Heights

Dover has been continuously garrisoned for many hundreds of years and even now Connaught Barracks, just north of Dover Castle is home to the army; the 3rd Parachute Regiment.  These pages concentrate on the part that constituted the Western Heights garrison.  The main resource for this is a little known publication written by a local chap, Barry Smith.  The best introduction is probably Barry's own words...

'This is a revised thesis on the Dover Garrison.........It has been made possible by all those interested people who purchased the original and by the assistance and co-operation of Dover Transport Museum Society without whose help the project would never have been started.  The space available does not allow the inclusion of supporting arms and services.  I have concentrated on the regular of the Foot and Horse.  The early battalions saw little of England initially so our first garrison appears in 1685 when the Monmouth rebellion produced more of them.  You will appreciated however that the responsibility for home defence often fell upon the volunteers and militia battalions.  I acknowledge their contribution by including a representative selection as space permits.  I have tried to produce the titles to conform with their presence here..........Before the early 19thC our detachments of horse or dragoons were billeted in town quarters.  The infantry were at the castle with often a detachment at Archcliffe Fort.  I will try to show the emergence of the barracks and forts as they occur..........You will appreciate that the garrison at all times included many detachments and details.  Regimental depots, regiments landing and embarking and personnel involved with courses and leave in transit.  Units landing would often move quickly inland so I do not consider their entry appropriate unless of particular interest.

Nothing is entered wrong by intent.  Should any person show convincing evidence that an error exists I will gladly acknowledge.  The information presented has been derived mainly from the regimental returns which are held by the Public Records Office at Kew.  Although I am interested to hear of any errors or omissions I dare not quarrel with those official documents.

Barry Smith'

Unfortunately some of Barry's document can appear ambiguous and there are some abbreviations which I am unable to fathom.  Hopefully I will be able to sort them out in time.  

This section is divided into the main barrack accommodation on the Heights and a list follows each heading.  The only exception to this is during the world war years where it seemed more logical to list the various regiments slightly differently.  The first section is entitled just 'Western Heights'.  This is because the exact location was not given.  Often Grand Shaft Barracks are referred to as 'Western Heights Barracks' so in some instances this could be the case.

Where regiments and personnel have been included which are NOT part of Barry's research these will be indicated by the use of an alternative colour.  Where square in the table are left blank this indicates that no information is available.  

If you have anything to add please get in touch.  It should be noted that the aim of 'Western Heights Today' is not to build a definitive list of personnel, only to weave a thread of 'life' into otherwise empty brickwork.

Western Heights

Drop Redoubt

Archcliffe Fort

 Grand Shaft Barracks         

Citadel

South Front Barracks

Casemated Barracks

The War Years-  WW2

Much more to follow...

(14.03.00)