Source/Archive record SCH8014 - Drill Halls; Introductions to Heritage Assets

Historic England’s Introductions to Heritage Assets (IHAs) are accessible, authoritative, illustrated summaries of what we know about specific types of archaeological site, building, landscape or marine asset. Typically they deal with subjects which lack such a summary. This can either be where the literature is dauntingly voluminous, or alternatively where little has been written. Most often it is the latter, and many IHAs bring understanding of site or building types which are neglected or little understood. Many of these are what might be thought of as ‘new heritage’, that is they date from after the Second World War. Drill halls came into existence following the formation of large numbers of rifle and artillery volunteer units in 1859-60, representing a concerted effort by the authorities to create a reserve of men with military training, arranged along the lines of the regular Army. These units required a large, open space within which to practice, secure storage for weapons and a covered area for drilling. Thereby drill halls became a common sight in almost every English town and city and, as ‘TA Centres’, continue to be built up to the present day. At least 1,863 are documented in England, of which perhaps 1,500 survived in 2015.