I would also love any more information on regiments that were stationed there around 1900-1903. Thank you.

My great great grandfather was a tailor for the army and, in 1845, married at Preston parish church. His address was just given as 'The Barracks'. Would there be any records of his employment or time there? Please can anyone advise me.

I find this info very helpful. My grandfather was stationed at Preston Barracks in 1914-15 before being sent to France. Is there anyway I can find which regiments were stationed there. He was RFA.

I served with the Loyal Regiment later became the 1st Battalion, The Queen's North Lancashire Regiment from 1962 untill 1972. I lost my medals over the years. Any chance of getting them? Editor's Note: If you contact the Military of Defence Veterans' Agency - they have a website - there is a section about medals which will give you information. Best of luck

Are there any other photos available of Preston Barracks at all? Or even more in-depth history?

My great grandfather(Charles Poulter) was stationed at the barracks on the 1891 census.if this is of any help to anyone ,he was in the 6th Dragoons.

My father Frank Cresdee was in the Royal Artillery and stationed at Preston Barracks around 1925. Each day the horses where taken out for exercise up Hollingdean Road and on to Hollingbury. It was on these rides that my mother and father struck up their friendship as Roedale Road, where she lived, was on the route. They were married on June 21st 1926 and as Mum was a Brighton Resident and Dad's home town was Portsmouth, the knot was tied at Steyning Register Office. I believe that this was something to do with the area boundaries at that time. They remained married up to his death in 1979; mum lived on for another nine years. I seem to remember dad saying that his Commanding Officer at that time was a Major Strickland (possibly Strictland). I know that he was a man that my father greatly respected. In 1930 my father's was posted to India, my mother, brother and sister went with him. When they returned to England in 1938 my father returned to Preston Barracks under the same C.O.

Does anyone know of Regiments stationed there in around 1850-1856 please? Especially the 17th Lancers?

It's great to see my small piece has created such interest and my appogies to those who asked for specific further info, but much of the research that was not published in my book was subsequently lost when my old computer died.

In the 1930s I was still a wee lad and my mother took me down to Preston Barracks as they were holding a searchlight tattoo. We watched the soldiers marching with the horses and gun carrages around the parade ground to the army band. We then had a walk around to see the stables . After that we were given a ride in a new invention, a small tank with seats either side.( A bren gun carrier.) At night after dark they turned the searchlight on and lit up the sky.

I was interested to see an article about Preston Barracks as my ancestor Sir Charles Lilley was stationed there until friends helped to buy his discharge from 1st Royal Dragoons in 1854. I would be interested to see a photo of the uniform.

A soldier from Preston Barracks founded Brighton Rugby club in the 19th century.

A number of you asked about which regiments were in the Barracks at certain dates. I have lost my final list but have found some notes I made to work from. My field of interest was 1793 - 1900, so I have made no notes beyond that date. I also stress that this is a "One OFF" from those rough notes, anyone wanting more info will just have to do a bit of digging for themselves.

Graham Camfield wanted 1820 - 1830
1820 1st Grenadier Guards
1821 10th Dragoons
1821 2nd Queens Royal West Surrey Regt.
1821-1822 3rd Kings Own Hussars
1822 58th Rutlandshire Regt.
1822 - 1824 1st Life Gaurds
1822 - 1824 7th Royal Fusileers
1822 10th Prince of Wales' Own Hussars
1822 7th Queens Own Hussars
1824 - 1825 Prince of Wales' Own Royal Lancers
1825 1st Grenadier Guards
1826 17th Duke of Cambridge Own Lancers
1826 52nd Hospital Regiment
1827 8th KIngs Royal Irish Hussars
1829 Princess Charlottes Dragoons
1829 6th Inniskiling Dragoon Gaurds
1829 15th Kings Regiment of Dragoons
1829 10th Prince Of Wales' Own Hussars
1830 7th Royal Fusileers

Ben Caine asked 1850-1856. They were as follows
1848 - 1854 Princess Royals Dragoon Guards
1851 8th Kings Royal Husars
1852 1st Royal Dragoons (Life Guards)
1853 17th Duke of Cambridge Lancers

Brighton must have been a very colourful place as the Barracks had space for 1000 horses and as you can see from the above, the cavalry regiments were constantly changing. A more detailed history of the Barracks themselves is in my book, but as there has been so much interest, I will have a look at my collection of illustrations and see if the website will allow me to make a suplementary submission.

Thanks for that info Roy. My Army ancestor Thomas Roberts lived in Brighton for 7 years after his 17th Lancers Army discharge in 1856. I now know why, because he was stationed there in the Lancers once or twice, he must have liked the place so settled there after he was discharged.

I know the 17th Lancers, 'The Death or Glory boys', where stationed in Brighton on their return from the Crimea in 1855 possibly. There is a photo of some troopers at Preston Barracks with a horse who were all survivors of the Charge of the Light Brigade. The book is quite recent and oddly was written by a certain Terry Brighton!

It is known that infamous Lord Cardigan (of the Charge of the Light Brigade) was at Preston Barracks. He was not very well liked and often disciplined his men and officers by sending them to live in the Infantry barracks in Church Street. In 1840, a Captain Roberts was dismissed from the service by Lord Cardigan in a Court Martial that was held in what was then the barrack hospital. The building still stands in the north west corner.

I'm most interested to see the Crimea photo which must be a very early one. Hopefully it is Preston near Brighton, because in the past I have had some info on Preston Barracks that eventually turned out to be Preston in Lancashire.

My knowledge of Preston Barracks is more recent than the comments I have read. My grandfather had been in the 10th Hussars (in SA and India) at the start of the 20th century; he was then in the RE's TA becoming a Sgt/Major. He had a military funeral in 1935, on a gun carriage from Holland Street. My father join the RE's TA, 209 Field Park Sqn, after demob following the war, rising to the rank of Sgt. My cousin joined in 1960 and I joined in 1964, both remaining sappers!

Hi Roy, I have a Great, Great Grandfather who lived at an address "Opposite Calvary Barracks, Brighton", in 1836-1837. Could you shed any light on what this would actually have been like? I believe he had been sent to Brighton to recover, he was staying with some relatives at the address shown above. Have you any pictures, or plans of what "Opposite Calvary Barracks" would have looked/been like? Please could you reply to my email account. Many thanks. Martin_Gooding@btinternet.com

My dad was was based in Preston Barracks in WW2 he was a Bombardier, Royal Artillery.

My Grandfather's regiment was based at the barracks. He was in the 4th/7th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards in the 1st World War. My mother told me of the regiment attending St Martins Church in Lewes Road and the guards clattering their spurs on the steps as they walked into the church.

I think my father was stationed in Preston Barracks in 1939/40. He was in the Royal Artillery and he met and married my mother at this time. He was a Liverpool lad but he stayed in Brighton after he was demobbed and raised a family. He later moved to Liverpool in 1954.

My great great grandfather was living at Preston Barracks in 1877. I believe he was a private in the 20th Hussars. I have no idea where to look for what regiments were there at this time, would anyone be able to help? Many thanks.

For Alison Gladdish. 1875 Second Scotts Greys: 1877 - 1878 Twentieth Hussars (your year was right): 1778 - 1880 Sixteenth Queens Lancers. For Martin Gooding. Replied to you direct, regarding "opposite the barracks" but no acknowledgement.

Do you know which regiment was stationed in the barracks at the time of the 1881 census?

To Maureen Harrison:
1880 - 1881 The 5th Princess Charlottes of Wales' Dragoons
1879 - 1885 The 4th Royal Irish Lancers
and possibly others

The 1901 England Census taken on the 31st March of that year shows my grandfather as being present in the barracks. The census is marked as a Public Record Office document ref:13/946. My grandfather was a member of the Royal Field Artillery as were several other soldiers staying at that time.

My father Douglas Tozer was stationed at Preston Barracks during the late 30s and early years of WWII. He was in the Royal Artillery. He met my mother Jessie Mansfield in Brighton in 1937. They married in 1938. I spent most of the war years in Brighton.
johntz@videotron.ca

Does anyone know if the The Buffs were stationed at the Cavalry Barracks, Preston in 1881 census?

My research shows that there were two regiments in Preston Barracks in 1881, The 4th Royal Irish Lancers and 5th Princess Charlotte of Wales' Dragoon Guards. Both were mounted regiments, for Preston Barracks mostly catered for either cavalry or field artillery. I believe The Buffs however, were predominently foot soldiers, and as such, they were unlikely to be there.

Hello Roy: Please could you inform me which regiment was stationed in the Preston Barracks early 1871? Just discovered that my mother in law's g/grandfather was there prior to serving in Ireland. Thank you

Hello Roy, please could you throw any light on how I find out about James Alfred Scrase who on the 1901 census is down as a Royal Reserves Lance Corporal . He was in Coleridge Street then. Thank you.

How would I find out more about an ancestor who served in the 10th Dragoons in the ealy 1800s? His pension papers indicate dishcarge in 1821 after a 21 year service - moving from Corporal and eventually to Sergeant. He was discharged due to 'reduction, loss of a finger and rheumatism' as an out-pensioner of the Royal Chelsea Hospital. He was married by the Chaplain to the Garrison to someone who was residing in Glasgow at the time. Where would I find out if the regiment was in Scotland prior to this? Is this likely? I would like to know more and also to know where to head for official documents etc if any. Any help would be appreciated.

My Great, Great Grandfather, Henry Smith joined the 7th Dragoon Guards in 1840 and, on his marriage cert. in 1849 gave his address as 'Barracks' - he was married at (?) church in the parish of Preston. His wife was from Newhaven.
He was pensioned out in 1854 having served at the Cape of Good Hope in the Kaffir(?) war of 1846/7.

Responseses are like buses, you spend ages looking and there are none, but as soon as you turn your back, four come along at once!
Phil Adams: Haven't got the data to hand at present, but will try to look it up for you later.
Clare Scrace: Quite often those in the Reserve were not associated with Preston Barracks itself, they were more probably located in various drill halls around the town. 1901 is too early for the drill hall in Dyke Road, and as your ancestor was a lance corporal rather than a bombadier, I doubt that he used the Artillery Hall in Gloucester Road. That leaves two possibilities: the Rifle Brigade centre in Church Street, Brighton and the Sussex Yeomanry in Kemp Town. Take your choice? Lynn Welan: The 10th were definitely in Preston Barracks in the years you have given (they even built a real tennis court there) so you will need to go to the regimental archives. Unfortunately, over the last two centuries there have been numerous cuts and amalgamations of various regiments, so firstly you will need to find out what the 10th are called now. Can't help in that respect, but if you browse through my book, the Brighton Garrison, or my index of military baptisms, marriages and burials at St Peter's Church in Preston Village, you may pick up some useful background material.
Leroy Smith: I'm afraid my index of St Peter's in Preston (not Brighton) stops at 1837, but the years you have given (the Cardigan Years) were a most interesting time at Preston Barracks and well worth reading up.

I have just found my grandfather's birth certificate, his father, my great grandfather Haryy G.Ewins, was a farrier major with the 6th Dragoons in 1892. Has anyone got any infromation of the 6th Dragoons at Preston Barracks?

Where can I buy the book Brighton Garrison by R.C.Grant? I have tried everywhere.  Please can someone help. I really want to read this book.

To Phil Adams (as promissed)
The regiments there in early 1871 were the 4th Queens Own Hussars and the 6th Inneskilling Dragoons. They were followed by the 19th Queen Alexanders Royal Hussars in 1872.
Margarette Cooke
Have replied to you on the My Brighton messages site.

To Roy - Many thanks for the information - further investigation confirms my in-law served with the 6th (Inneskilling) Dragoons. They were posted to Ireland late 1871 and returned to Aldershot in 1873. Thank you again & best wishes.

The 'Buffs' were at the barracks in 1899 my grandfather went to Preston Barracks in preperation for the Boer War. The 'Buffs' did have a mounted battalion. He got married in Brighton 24th May 1899 which shows his address as Preston Barracks.

My father Henry Keats (Keet), was stationed at the barracks during the 30s/40s. He was Henry Keet until he enlisted as a young man. The sergeant misheard his name and when dad pointed out to him that his name was Keet, his response was; 'not now, son', you're Henry Keats. And he remained so for the rest of his life. At least two of his children and two grandchildren have his name. He was a Romany Gypsy, born in a bender tent where he spent his childhood. He came from Dorset, but stayed in Brighton after marrying my mother, who was a local girl. I know everyone had the best ever parents, but we really did!!

My third great grandfather James Glenn and his brother David Glenn were both stationed at Lewes Barracks in June 1814 both serving with the Royal Horse Artillery under Major N Oliver's – ‘B’ Troop. They were transferred to Blatchington Barracks two years later. Please would you advise if you have any documents to warrant this, my information came from the Muster Rolls at Kew. I would appreciate that you contact me by e-mail as I have a considerable amount of information relating to the RHA and the Battle of Waterloo where my 3ggf later served. Many thanks.

Hello Roy, I was stationed at Preston Barracks in 1947. I was in the REME and on a Vehicle Mechanics Course. The Crimean Block was still used I had friends billetted in it. I was in a Brand New Barrack Block. The barrack room floor was stained and very highly polished, it had to be buffed with a big bumper three or four times a day. We were not allowed to enter the barrack room wearing boots. Each man had a small tin of stain varnish, any marks or scratches had to be varnished immediately. In October 1947 German POWs were still employed in the Cook House and on other jobs around the barracks. They were allowed out when not on duty but could not go very far.

My Grandfather was stationed at Preston I believe some time between 1900-1915 in the 4th Royal Dragoon Guards I have photos of this time which I think are of Preston Barracks. It looks like the Coombe Terrace Houses beyond the entrance and possibly Bear Road before it was made up. There is one of gun carragies carrying two coffins and another with a Vicar taking a service maybe for the dead. One other showing the regiment. I wonder if anyone else might have something like this and know a bit more about them.

Hi, I would like to ask Mr Brian Grundy if he knew, or could tell me anything about my Grandfather. I know he was in R.E.M.E around that time and was also a vehicle mechanic. His name was William Haywood (Biffo). My mum thinks he made Sgt Major by the age of around 24 years. He went on to marry my Nan, Pamela Croucher. If you, or any one has any information - would be truly grateful.

Message please for June Hadaway - from her comment of 4th April. My great uncle was in the 4th Dragoon Guards, I'm not sure of the dates, but Preston Barracks was the address given on his marriage certificate in 1909. I do not have any photos of him at all, and would be interested to see any that you may have. Thank you.

I have read these recollections with interest regarding Preston Barracks. I was especially interested to see that 'The Lifeguards' mounted regiment where stationed there back in the 1820s. By an odd coincidence I joined the Lifeguards in Brighton back in 1971 and was sent to Preston Barracks for my medical - it was the old 'drop em and cough' routine. I spent nine years in the mounted side of things and left in 1980. I had no idea that the forerunner of the present day regiment was once stationed there. I may see if I can find out more through my regimental connections.

For Lorraine Whelan. I do not remember your Grandfather at Preston Barracks, Lorraine. I do not think I ever knew him but it is 63 years ago and the memory fades.

My great grandfather, Silas Billenness, was pensioned from the 5th Enniskillen Dragoons in 1870s. Any info would be useful.

My dad was posted to Preston Barracks in 1980. We left there in '84 but I have some very fond memories of living there. Our house was two houses in one and is one of the few that still stands to this day. I remember there being an old jail block (which used to scare me!) and a medical centre not far from it. Going pasT there now makes me feel quite sad that they have demolished quite a bit of it. Such a shame.

I was stationed at Preston Barracks from 1961, when the Royal Army Pay Corps moved its Pay Office from Foots Cray to the Barracks. I left in 1963. We lived at No 3 Married Quarters, and the thing I remember most was the dreadful winter of 1962/63, just before we left for Kenya. My wife Elizabeth was bearing our son Philip and had the dreadful struggle of getting up and down the icy hill to the Lewes Road with our small daughter Amanda in a push chair. It was a fortuitous posting for me, as I had lived in Brighton, and went to Stanford Road School and the Grammar School before joining the army in 1954. It meant that we could take our family to the Sergeants' Mess for their excellent lunches and the Christmas festivities before setting off for sunnier climes.

What a very interesting web site, thank you Roy. I have a photo of my Grandfather Arthur Vertue and on the reverse it states Private A Vertue, 4761 RC Squadron, 4th Royal Dragoon Guards, Preston Barracks, Brighton. It is not dated but I believe it to be between 1912-13 as he was at in Wiltshire in 1914. I would be very interested in contacting both Jude Hadaway and Steven Levitt to see if we can establish whether their ancestors were in the same regiments. My Grandfather was with 'Long Tom' Sgt. E. Thomas MM when he fired the first shot in Ypres in WW1. Long Tom was later a commissionaire at the picture house in Brighton. Sorry to go on, best wishes

Would anyone know how I can trace records of soldiers stationed at Preston Barracks in 1877?

To Mrs Gladdish: Try finding the person that interests you on the 1881 census and piece together as much as you can about them first. If possible try to identify the regiment they were in so that you could approach them. You may be also be lucky and find they received an army pension if they reached an old age, or a copy of their entire service record from enlistment to de-mob being held by the GRO at Kew. But be warned, a good number of these military records were unfortunately lost in a fire after a bomb dropped on the Government archives during WW2.

This is a message for Sue Peggram from 12/09/2010. I believe that my great-uncle Richard James Brenchley was at Preston Barracks from November 1908 to September 1909. When your grandfather was there in 1912-1913, my relation was with the company in Egypt. It would have been great if you had a picture of him in a group photo, as we do not have any pictures of him at all! Good to hear from you, regards, Mrs. Steph Levitt.

My husband's great grandfather was stationed at Preston Barracks in 1876/77. He was troop Sgt Major William McNamara with the 9th Royal Irish Lancers. He married a local Brighton girl called Elizabeth Eliza Gates in 1880. He was then with the Somerset Yeomanry, then he returns back to Brighton to retire by 1896.

I lived in the old officers' mess, which was by that time the WRAC accommodation, from January 1977 until I married in August 1978 when I married and moved to the MSQ's.

In the 1930s my mum used to get all of her children up at 5.30 every thursday morning. At 6am coming up Coombe Rd at full gallop were were 6 horses with 2 outriders pulling their guns. There used to be atleast 6 gun carridges with out riders. I was only 5 or 6 years old and was terrified. Once past we all had to follow them up the road and collect the dung ,then go from door to door to sell it for tuppence as we were so poor.

My husband was born at 45 Married Quarters in February 1962. As he has never been back since his family moved on we decided to go and visit, hence looking up this site.

To Steph Levitt re-comment 15/04/2010 re pictures of Preston Barracks. Hi Steph they say better late than never- hope you pick this up. You are welcome to see the photos. My email is. june.hadaway@ntlworld.com Regards

To Beverley Backstrom (05/04/2011). This is going to break your heart Beverley, and anyone else who knew the magnificent WRAC accom. Look at how they just left it be vandalised on the following website: http://www.28dayslater.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=32731

My dad was a REME VM at Preston Barracks for 14 years. He got me into the army cadets there in 1984-1989 then I joined the TA RMP unit there. It was 253 Pro Coy which eventually became HQ 163 Pro Coy. The building was shared with 583 which became 222 field squadron. I have many good memories, as when i joined the A.C.F. the Royal Army pay corps ,medical centre, P.O.L. point, gym and Crimean building were still there.

Message for Steph Levitt. Sorry for the delay in replying but I don't have any group pics of Arthur Vertue at Preston but I do have some of when he was at Tideworth with the Irish Dragoon Guards if that helps but there are no names on the back of the photos which is a pity. If you send me your e.mail address I will gladly share them with you. Best wishes.

I have recently been given a diary with a press cutting in it about the farewell dinner for the 9th Lancers in 1864 from the Brighton Herald which names the senior officers and local dignatories present. If you wish further details please get in touch.

Roy - as an ex Lifeguard and Brightonian I'm interested to know about the connections between the Lifeguards and the 1st Royal Dragoons - can you throw any light on that please?

Such a shame about the old WRAC building being left to go to waste. I bet the vandals think themselves as heros? I joined the Army in 1970 and had my medical at Preston Barracks. My grandfather was in the RFA and stationed there for a while in WW1 as was my father during the WW2. I slowly saw the place go to ruin and be re-developed to a retail park. The pub I went to that was opposite was 'The Ship'. The Hussar was further along the road. Some good memories

I spent a considerable amount of time at Preston Barracks in the late 50s - early 60s when a large area was converted to REME workshops. I was a member of P Battery, 257 Field Regt. RA. TA based in Church Street. (It later became 258 Sussex Yeomanry) RA. TA based in Dyke Road. Much of our field gun training took place on the square outside the workshops close to the officers mess.

Ivor Williams' comments bring back so many memories. I drank in the Hussar and the Ship and also had my medical at the barracks. My grandfather who was a draughtsman at Allen West next door to the Ship, built the large model of a liner which for many years was a feature of the bar. I played bar billiards in there every lunchtime and drank the watery 'Mild'.

I was a member of the army cadet force around 1953-55, which had it's armory and HQ at the barracks around that time. I believe it was a RE Regiment, but can't remember the official designation. We used to train, practice marching, and every Friday would divide into two units and march to Moulsecoombe with weapons and blank ammo for manouvers. Commanding officer was an ex regulars from the war. Can't remember his name.

According to 1841 census records the Scots Greys were station at Preston Barracks, New Shoreham, Sussex. A company of some 400 men.

From the census records the following are shown: 1841 Scots Greys Commander: Captain MG Adams Class: HO107; Piece 1112; Book: 16; Civil Parish: Preston; County: Sussex; Enumeration District: Preston Barracks; Folio: ; Page: 1; Line: 1; GSU roll: 464160. 1851 The Cavalry Barracks Commander: Lt Col Fredk G Shewell Source Citation: Class: HO107; Piece: 1647; Folio: 143; Page: 4; GSU roll: 193552. 1861 Headquarters 5th Dragoon Guards Commander: Major F H Swinfen Source Citation: Class: RG9; Piece: 604; Folio: 18; Page: 1; GSU roll: 542670. 1871 Barracks Commander: Major Edware Gore Source Citation: Class: RG10; Piece: 1093; Folio: 92; Page: 1; GSU roll: 827505 1881 The Cavalry Barracks Commander: 2nd Lieutenant Douglas A Hamilton Class: RG11; Piece: 1103; Folio: 101; Page: 1; GSU roll: 1341260. 1891 6th Dragoons Commander: Major Chas Wm Crosse Class: RG12; Piece: 824; Folio 106; Page 1; GSU roll: 6095934. 1901 R.F.A. Commander: Captain Edward Charles Massy Class: RG13; Piece: 946; Folio: 21; Page: 1.

My great grandfather was Sergeant Frederick HARVEY of the 5th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, based in Preston Barracks, Brighton. He was in Natal by the mid 1880s and my grandfather (Alfred HARVEY) was born in a Britsh Army Transit Camp at Pinetown, Durban, in 1888. Frederick was a Donegal Protestant! Any further info on his later life would be appreciated. The Regiment returned to Brighton in 1890.