Pirbright Camp Explained

Pirbright Camp
Map Type:	Surrey
Pushpin Map Caption:	Location within Surrey
Location:	Pirbright
Ownership:	Ministry of Defence
Built:	1875
Used:	1875 – present
Built For:	War Office

Pirbright Camp is a British Army installation in Pirbright, Surrey. It houses the Army Training Centre Pirbright, and a number of other units.

History

In 1875, the War Office acquired 3070acres of Pirbright's heath which is the southern end of the north-south range of sand hills in Surrey heath, known as Chobham Ridges. It established rifle ranges, a training depot and an 'encampment' for the Brigade of Guards here.^[1] Many of the current buildings date from the 1950s, with significant expansion in the 1970s.^[2]

In April 2021, following the Death of the Duke of Edinburgh, members from across the armed forces, including:^[3] the Household Cavalry, Queen's Royal Hussars, Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Welsh Guards, The Highlanders,^[4] Royal Gurkha Rifles, and The Rifles; along with personnel from the Royal Marines, Royal Navy, and Queen's Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force all took part in training at Brunswick Lines in preparation for his funeral.

Current units

• Alexander Barracks^{[2] [5] [6]}
  • Army Training Centre Pirbright^[7]
• Elizabeth Barracks
  • 3rd Battalion, Ranger Regiment^[8]
• Brunswick Lines
  • Household Division and Parachute Regiment Centralised Courses^[9]

In media

Pirbright was the filming location for British Army Girls, a three-part television documentary first shown on Channel 4 in April 2016.^{[10] [11]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Pirbright History. Surrey Property. 30 March 2014.
2. Web site: Plan to improve barracks accommodation for returning forces. Get Surrey. 11 March 2014. 30 March 2014.
3. Web site: 15 April 2021 . Prince Philip's Funeral: What's The Military's Role On The Day? . 2021-04-15 . Forces Network . en.
4. Web site: Scottish Troops Prepare to Say Goodbye to Beloved Royal Colonel, Prince Philip. 2021-04-15. www.army.mod.uk. en-GB.
5. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/surrey/vol3/pp363-365 'Parishes: Pirbright'
6. Web site: Army recruit found hanged at Pirbright camp. Get Surrey. 22 September 2008. 30 March 2014.
7. Web site: Army Training Centre, Pirbright. Ministry of Defence. 18 July 2015.
8. Web site: Future Soldier Guide. 70. 25 November 2021. 9 December 2021.
9. Web site: IG Junior Non-Commissioned Officer . bot: unknown . 20 July 2005 . nationalarchives.gov.uk . 27 July 2015 . http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20050720205042/http:/www.army.mod.uk/irishguards/careers/why_join/your_career/junior_nco.htm .
10. Web site: British Army Girls. Channel 4. en. 18 May 2017.
11. News: The army girls proving they are prepared to kill. Wallop. Harry. 3 April 2016. The Telegraph. 18 May 2017. en-GB.