Copthorne Barracks welcomes veterans at reunion

Around 2,000 veterans flocked to Shrewsbury, many of whom served in county regiment, the King's Shropshire Light Infantry and its offshoot The Rifles.

For a large part of its life Copthorne Barracks was used as a training depot for the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry – drilling recruits from all over the country.

Local hotels and pubs were expecting roaring trade as old comrades from across the UK reunited for the special day.

Highlights of the event on Saturday included a veteran's marching parade, followed by a speech by former light infantry general, Robin Brims.

Distinguished guests included the Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Algernon Heber-Percy.

Nigel Jones, Rifles Midlands regional secretary said: "A lot of people who trained here with the KSLI consider Copthorne Barracks as their spiritual home.

"It is a wonderful occasion for these old servicemen to return to the place where they trained."

On Saturday morning a church service was held at the barracks to remember the gallantry of the 4th (Territorial) Battalion of the KSLI during the First World War.

The battalion was awarded the unusual distinction of a "unit award" in the form the French Croix-de-Guerre avec Palme for its gallantry in seizing the important Bligny Hill in June 1918.

The annual reunion brings all Light Infantryman together from all over the country and the rest of the world.

The Shrewsbury reunion is organised by the Light Infantry Committee and gathers support from all ex-Light Infantryman, regardless of their association, branch or group. The reunion also organises a prize draw to help fund the weekend.

The formation of the barracks began on September 21, 1872, when town clerk of Shrewsbury Town Council reported Lt Colonel Akus of the War Department had approached him with plans for a new barracks on the site of the House of Correction, at Kingsland.

The council were still debating the matter when Shrewsbury School nipped in with an offer that enabled them to move from the town centre to its present location.

A barracks had to be built within two miles of the town centre, so land between Copthorne Road and The Mount, all of which was privately owned pasture land, was chosen.

The War Department had offered £12,000 for the Kingsland site but there is no mention of the sum for the Copthorne land.

The eventually builders were a local firm, Treasure & Sons, and the contract was the largest ever awarded in the district, £50,000.

Building of the barracks started in 1877 and the area covered about nine acres, with about four million bricks being used.

The new barracks also included a hospital and married quarters, stabling, stores and the whole area was bounded by walls 15 feet high.

Earlier this year, it was announced that part of Copthorne Barracks is to be sold off – throwing into doubt the future of the reunion. But Mr Jones said he was hopeful it would return next year.

"It is hoped the reunion will take place next year with the wonderful co-operation of the barracks."

Around 80 military and civilian staff serving with The Headquarters 143 (West Midlands) Brigade at the Copthorne Road base will transfer to Donnington in Telford by 2015.

The move signals the end of the regular Army's 138-year presence at Copthorne Barracks.