Ubique Barracks, Widnes Explained

Ubique Barracks
Type:Barracks
Map Type:United Kingdom Cheshire
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within Cheshire
Location:Widnes, Cheshire
Ownership:Ministry of Defence
Garrison:4th Battalion, Mercian Regiment
Used:1985[1] –Present

Ubique Barracks, Widnes is a military installation of the British Ministry of Defence occupied by the British Army located in Widnes, Cheshire WA8 6TH, England.

History

Following the reorganisation of the Territorial and Army Volunteer Reserve, a Light Air Defence Troop was formed at the (then) Territorial Army Centre, Widnes part of the also newly formed 213 (South Lancashire Artillery) Light Air Defence Battery. In 1986, following the formation of the Home Service Force (a home defence roled infantry force), a new detachment formed at the barracks part of A (Home Service Force) Battery. At this time the centre was expanded to the modern barracks.[2] [1] [3]

As part of the Options for Change reform announced after the Dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Home Service Force Battery was disbanded, and the LAD troop based in Widnes reduced to the battery LAD, where it remained until 2001.

In 2001, an internal reorganisation of 103rd (Lancashire Artillery Volunteers) Regiment Royal Artillery saw the regimental Light Aid Detachment (LAD), Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers disperse and join each battery individually, leaving the barracks vacant.

In 2007 following the Future Army Structure programme whereas B (Cheshire) Company, 4th Battalion Mercian Regiment was based. This company was later to be disbanded by 2018, but under the Army 2020 Refine programme, the company remained at the location.[4] [5]

On 19 April 2018, a 'suspicious package' was notified to the Cheshire Constabulary, but this was later found to just be a false alarm.[6] [7]

Ubique Barracks forms part of Cheshire Garrison, a regional garrison overseeing all units based within the county of Cheshire.[8]

Current garrison

The current garrison of the barracks includes the following:

British Army

Community Cadet Forces

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Farewell to arms. 2021-04-13. Warrington Guardian. en.
  2. Web site: 2007-12-10. 103rd Regiment, RA (V) [UK]]. 2021-04-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20071210145242/http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/vols-tavr/art-eng-sig/ra103.htm. 2007-12-10.
  3. Web site: 27 March 2003. Farewell to arms. 13 April 2021. Warrington Guardian.
  4. Web site: 2013-07-03. Military bases to close in reservist shake up. 2021-04-13. ITV News. en.
  5. Web site: Summary of Army 2020 Reserve Structure and Basing Changes. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131203193356/http://www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/20130703-SUMMARY_OF_ARMY_2020_RESERVE_STRUCTURE_AND_BASING.pdf. 3 December 2013. 13 April 2021. British Army.
  6. Web site: Brit primary school EVACUATED over bomb alert in police swoop. 2021-04-13. Brit primary school EVACUATED over bomb alert in police swoop.
  7. Web site: Gavin. Harvey. 2018-04-19. Cheshire primary school evacuated after 'suspicious package' prompts bomb scare. 2021-04-13. Express.co.uk. en.
  8. Web site: The official site of the Commanding Officer 75 Engineer Regiment, Commander Cheshire Garrison and Chairman of Royal Engineer Basketball.. 13 April 2021. CO 75 Engr Regt – Twitter.
  9. Web site: Live. Cheshire. 2012-05-22. Ellesmere Port TA officer and Great Sutton cadet honoured by Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire. 2021-04-13. CheshireLive. en.
  10. FOI(A) Response, Information related to the Army 2020 Refine. 10 March 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  11. Web site: Army Reserve Centre, Peelhouse Lane, Widnes WA8 6TH. 9 April 2021. Army Careers.
  12. Web site: FOI(A) regarding Army 2020 Refine Army Reserve locations. 9 April 2021. What do they know?. 11 May 2020.
  13. Web site: 25 December 2016. Further supplementary evidence submitted by the Ministry of Defence on the Army 2020 Refine. 2021-04-10. United Kingdom Parliamentary Publications.
  14. Web site: Cheshire Army Cadets. 2021-04-13. Army Cadets UK. en-GB.
  15. Web site: Home - Sea Cadets Widnes. 2021-04-13. www.sea-cadets.org. en.
  16. Web site: 310 (Widnes) Squadron Air Cadets. 2021-04-13. 310aircadets.co.uk. en.
  17. Web site: 310 (Widnes). 2021-04-13. RAF Air Cadets. en-GB.