Baker Barracks

Baker Barracks
Thorney Island, West Sussex in England
Entrance to Baker Barracks
Baker Barracks Shown within West Sussex
Coordinates	50°49′14″N 000°55′34″W / 50.82056°N 0.92611°WCoordinates: 50°49′14″N 000°55′34″W / 50.82056°N 0.92611°W
Type	Barracks
Site information
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Operator	British Army
Site history
Built	1984
In use	1984-Present
Garrison information
Occupants	12th Regiment Royal Artillery 47th Regiment Royal Artillery

Baker Barracks is a British Army barracks located on Thorney Island around 6.58 miles (10.59 km) east from Portsmouth, Hampshire.

History

The barracks were established, on the site of the former RAF Thorney Island airbase, in 1986, when 26th Regiment Royal Artillery moved on site.^[1] Named after Field Marshal Sir Geoffrey Baker, a former Royal Artillery officer, they have been home to 47th Regiment Royal Artillery, armed with the Starstreak missile, since 1989.^[2] In January 2008, 12th Regiment Royal Artillery moved to the island upon their return from Germany.^[3]

A public footpath circles the site. However, to access this area visitors are required to show identity details (e.g. a passport) to the army, who control access because live firing exercises take place on/near the site.^[4]

In 2009, the airfield was used as a test track for a British-built steam car hoping to smash the longest standing land speed record. The British Steam Car Challenge team included test driver Don Wales, nephew of the late Donald Campbell and grandson of Sir Malcolm Campbell.^[5]

References

1. "26th Regiment RA". British Army units 1945 on. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
2. "47 Regt RA". Ministry of Defence - British Army. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
3. "12 Regt RA". Ministry of Defence - British Army. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
4. "RAF Thorney Island". Airfields of Britain Conservation Trust. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
5. "British-built steam car unveiled". BBC News. Retrieved 20 February 2014.