51-451: Catterick Garrison is a major garrison and military town 3 miles (5 km) south of Richmond , North Yorkshire , England. It is the largest British Army garrison in the world, with a population of around 13,000 in 2017 and covering over 2,400 acres (about 10 km). At the beginning of August 1907 Robert Baden-Powell , Inspector-General of Cavalry, held his experimental camp for boys on Brownsea Island . In October 1907, he
102-577: A cinema, 60-bedroom hotel as well as places for eating and drinking. There is no longer a railway station at the garrison. Catterick Camp railway station was a terminus station on the Eryholme-Richmond branch line until its closure in 1964; the closest mainline railway stations are now at Northallerton and Darlington ; they are equidistant, at 15.9 miles (25.6 km) south-east and north-east respectively. Regular bus services to Richmond and Darlington are operated by Arriva North East ;
153-688: A number of barracks , most of which are named after historical British Army battles, many of which took place in Northern France during the First World War . The current units based within Catterick Garrison include: The Infantry Training Centre conducts infantry training combining Phase 1 and 2 of the Combat Infantryman's Course. Junior soldiers destined for the infantry continue to receive Phase 1 training at
204-513: A small shopping parade (on Catterick Road between Byng Road and Vicarage Road) and the town centre. The town centre developed around Richmond Road from the 2000s. Richmondshire Walk and a supermarket were opended in 2000 on the west side of Richmond Road near village shops on east side of the road. From 2013 to 2015, the centre was expanded with the Princes Gate development, on MoD-owned land north of Richmondshire Walk, with new retail outlets,
255-829: A soldier of the Royal Regiment of Scotland , killed themselves in Catterick Garrison. That same year an 18 year old soldier, Josh Kennington, died after collapsing during training at Catterick Garrison. In 2022, two soldiers belonging to Catterick Garrison died on the same weekend in separate unrelated incidents. In 2022 Lance Corporal Ryan Mackenzie, a veteran of the War in Afghanistan , was found dead in his barracks. His body had not been discovered until 6 days after his death when his friends called Catterick Garrison to alert them to his absence. In 2023, another soldier based at Catterick Camp died from unknown circumstances while on
306-621: A training exercise. In September 2023 an 8 year old boy was killed in Catterick Garrison after being hit by a vehicle. Between 1974 and 2023 it was in the Richmondshire district of North Yorkshire, within the Central Richmondshire electoral division of North Yorkshire County Council and divided between the Hipswell and Scotton wards of Richmondshire District Council. The town is divided between two civil parishes ,
357-638: Is a Roman Catholic memorial church built in 1930 and situated within the Diocese of Middlesbrough , but owing to its position is governed by the Bishopric of the Forces . on the same road is St Aidan's Garrison Church, and The Garrison Memorial Church of St Martin and St Oswald. Catterick Garrison Cemetery, on the north side of St John's Churchyard in Hipswell, was opened by the War Office in 1930 to serve
408-520: Is a purpose-built complex opposite the retail park, opened in July 2009; it offers a broad spectrum of leisure and fitness facilities including a swimming pool and a gym, as well as an adjoining public library. Catterick Garrison once had one of Yorkshire 's largest cinemas, the Ritz Cinema, which opened on 21 December 1940 and had over 1000 seats. It closed on 2 July 1977 after declining usage; today,
459-490: Is also primarily a kilted one and there are concerns that the much older Lowland units, which traditionally wore trews , will be effectively absorbed into a Highland tradition. However, the Ministry of Defence's case that change was necessary to enhance operational efficiency through economies of scale , improve and create more flexible conditions of service and to resolve chronic recruiting and retention problems amongst
510-592: Is now vacant since Prince Philip 's death in April 2021. In August 2005, the new regimental cap badge was unveiled at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo . The design was the result of a collaborative effort, led by Brigadier Andrew Mackay, along with other serving and retired officers and Regimental Sergeant Majors , with advice from the Lord Lyon King of Arms . The new cap badge incorporates
561-545: The Arab Islamic conquests of Middle Eastern lands by Arab - Muslim armies to increase their dominance over indigenous populations. In order to occupy non-Arab, non-Islamic areas, nomadic Arab tribesmen were taken from the desert by the ruling Arab elite, conscripted into Islamic armies, and settled into garrison towns as well as given a share in the spoils of war . The primary utility of the Arab-Islamic garrisons
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#1732790251395612-772: The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders , would be reduced to the status of an incremental company, similar to the three companies in the Guards Division , and be transferred to become a permanent public duties unit in Scotland. On 1 December 2021, as part of the Future Soldier programme , the 1st Battalion (Royal Scots Borderers), was disbanded and subsequently reformed as part of the new Ranger Regiment and based in Northern Ireland. All battalions in
663-854: The Army Foundation College in Harrogate . ITC Catterick is the major user of the Warcop Training Area . ITC Catterick is also home to the Army School of Ceremonial ('ASC'), where recruits learn to take part in the massed bands of the British Army. In 2016–17, the ASC moved from their former school (an old stately home) to modern facilities. Garrison A garrison (from the French garnison , itself from
714-543: The Black Watch was particularly controversial. When the confirmed plan to amalgamate the regiments was announced, 1st Battalion The Black Watch was deployed away from Basra at Camp Dogwood in a relatively dangerous region of Iraq . Hoon was accused by the SNP of "stabbing the soldiers in the back" and being motivated purely by political and administrative concerns, with little regard to the effect on morale. This controversy
765-577: The Royal Regiment of Scotland , was found hanged in the Bourlon Barracks of Catterick Garrison. In 2019, a soldier driving a Supacat Jackal in Catterick Camp died of brain injuries after crashing his vehicle. A jury-led inquest concluded that "a lack of supervision by chain of command and inadequate safety enforcement contributed to Sgt McKelvie's death." In 2020, the decomposing body of Royal Signals Lance Corporal, Bernard Mongan,
816-752: The Saltire of St Andrew and the Lion Rampant of the Royal Standard of Scotland , which are two prominent national symbols. The cap badge is surmounted by a crown, in this case the Crown of Scotland . The regiment's motto is Nemo Me Impune Lacessit (No One Assails Me With Impunity)—which is the motto of the Order of the Thistle , Scotland's highest order of chivalry , and was also the motto of four of
867-578: The "garrison game" or the "garrison sport" for its connections with British military serving in Irish cities and towns. Royal Regiment of Scotland The Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS) is the senior and only current Scottish line infantry regiment of the British Army Infantry . It consists of three regular (formerly five) and two reserve battalions , plus an incremental company , each formerly an individual regiment (with
918-642: The Islamic state established in their midst. In the United Kingdom , "Garrison" also specifically refers to any of the major military stations such as Aldershot , Catterick , Colchester , Tidworth , Bulford , and London , which have more than one barracks or camp and their own military headquarters , usually commanded by a colonel , brigadier or major-general , assisted by a garrison sergeant major . In Ireland , Association football (as distinct from Gaelic football ) has historically been termed
969-452: The Ministry of Defence merged Garrison FM's contract with that of overseas forces' station BFBS , who took over local broadcasting for the garrison area. The Catterick Garrison Military WAGS Choir , formed in 2010 was the basis for the BBC programme The Choir: Military Wives and the 2019 film Military Wives (film) , which also has scenes filmed in the garrison itself. Catterick Leisure Centre
1020-855: The Rifles , the Royal Regiment of Scotland is also one of only two line infantry regiments to maintain its own regular military band within the Royal Corps of Army Music , which was formed through the amalgamation of the Highland band and Lowland band of the Scottish Division . In addition, there are two Territorial bands, the Highland Band and the Lowland Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland , which are administered by
1071-443: The Royal Regiment of Scotland, to preserve regional ties and former regimental identities, took the name of their former individual regiments. The order of battle is as follows: The regiment also currently has three military bands and four pipes and drums: The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland falls within the Royal Corps of Army Music . The reserve bands are administered by the Royal Corps of Army Music , though fall under
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#17327902513951122-535: The camp. Among its graves are those of 42 Commonwealth service personnel of the Second World War and some Polish servicemen. Previously soldiers from the camp and military hospital were buried in St John's Churchyard, which now contains the war graves of 64 Commonwealth service personnel of the First World War and two of the Second World War. The town's football club, Catterick Garrison Football Centre,
1173-566: The closest airport is Teesside International Airport , 21.3 miles (34.3 km) north-east. Primary education is provided by Carnagill Community Primary School, built in 1966, Wavell School, Le Cateau Community Primary School and Cambrai Primary School, a free school opened in 2019 on the complex formerly housing a campus of Darlington College . Pupils then receive secondary education at Risedale School . Alternatively, children may also attend school at Richmond School and Sixth Form College . The town has three existing churches, St. Joan of Arc
1224-555: The command of their respective battalions. The Museum of the Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) and the Royal Regiment of Scotland is located in Edinburgh Castle . Operating as an independent museum, the exhibits include dioramas, uniforms, medals, weapons, drums, ceremonial regalia and silver. Displays focus on the regiment's activities since its founding up to contemporary Army life. The regiment's colonel-in-chief
1275-530: The east, as well as Colburn , 1.9 miles (3.1 km) to the east. Foxglove Covert , a local nature reserve , was the first of its kind in North Yorkshire and the first to be located on Ministry of Defence (MoD) land in the UK. It covers 100 acres of moorland edge, and was opened in 1992. In 2001 it was declared a Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCI). The town has two centres for shopping,
1326-705: The eight single-battalion Scottish regiments was endorsed by the then Chief of the General Staff , Sir Mike Jackson . Jackson delegated the decision on how the reduction of battalions would be achieved to the Council of Scottish Colonels. The Council recommended that the Royal Scots should be amalgamated with the King's Own Scottish Borderers reflecting the former regiment's long term poor recruiting record and high reliance on Commonwealth recruits. The status of
1377-531: The exception of the former first battalion (now disbanded and reformed into the 1st Bn Rangers based in Northern Ireland), which is an amalgamation of two regiments). However, three regular battalions maintain their former regimental pipes and drums to carry on the traditions of their antecedent regiments. As part of restructuring in the British Army , the Royal Regiment of Scotland's creation
1428-532: The idea to make Catterick a permanent military barracks was first suggested after the partitioning of Ireland in 1921, to replace The Curragh . The required land was purchased and building plans were put forward in 1923. Construction was undertaken by John Laing & Son , and by the mid-1930s most of the camp's facilities were complete. During the Second World War the camp was once again used to house prisoners of war. RAF Catterick closed in 1994 and
1479-519: The new numbered battalion designations as subtitles. There is however a common regimental cap badge, tactical recognition flash (TRF), tartan, stable belt and Glengarry headdress but distinctively coloured hackles are also worn by each separate battalion on the Tam o' Shanter headdress to maintain their individual identity and the pipes and drums of each battalion continue to wear the ceremonial uniforms and tartans of their former regiments. Along with
1530-402: The outbreak of the First World War . The original intention was for Catterick to be a temporary camp to accommodate two complete divisions with around 40,000 men in 2,000 huts. The base was originally named Richmond Camp but was changed to Catterick Camp in 1915, and later modified to Catterick Garrison in 1973. After serving as a prisoner of war camp at the end of the First World War ,
1581-450: The pre-existing Scottish regiments. The new regiment's various Dress Uniforms incorporate a number of "golden threads" from the antecedent regiments. Some of the most prominent include: While in PCS combat dress, each battalion wears its own unique coloured hackle on the Tam O'Shanter : The official mascot is a Shetland pony named Cruachan. He was originally the regimental mascot of
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1632-590: The regiment's two Territorial battalions. The regiment also has previously had its own Parachute Display Team called the Golden Lions (disbanded in 2011) and shinty team, the Scots Shinty Club . In 1948, every regiment of line infantry was reduced to a single battalion. The subsequent process of reducing the overall number of infantry regiments in the Army through disbandment or amalgamation of
1683-609: The seat was abolished. Subject to moderate boundary changes, it was reformed as Richmond and Northallerton , first contested at the 2024 general election . These seats have been represented since 2015 by Conservative Rishi Sunak . Catterick Garrison is located on the A6136 road , connecting Richmond with the A1(M) at Catterick Village , 4.7 miles (7.6 km) to the east. Nearby are the suburban settlements of Scotton 1.6 miles (2.6 km) south and Hipswell 0.7 miles (1.1 km) to
1734-516: The site is used as a health and beauty salon. The town would gain a seven screen cinema in 2015 as part of the Princes Gate retail complex. The town has a leisure centre and its primary healthcare provider is the Harewood Medical general practice managed by South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust . The Duchess of Kent Hospital was a military hospital opened on 6 October 1976 and closed its major surgery and hospital wings in 1999, it
1785-457: The southern part of the town, south of a small stream known as Leadmill Gill, is in the civil parish of Scotton , the northern part forms the greater part of the civil parish of Hipswell . Each parish has its own parish council . Catterick Garrison was within the Richmond (Yorks) parliamentary constituency, following the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies ,
1836-559: The town is also in the catchment area of the Great North Air Ambulance . North Yorkshire Police and the Royal Military Police have stations located on a shared complex while North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue provide firefighting services mainly from Colburn Fire Station (between the town and Colburn ). The garrison consists of many different groups of buildings spread over a wide area and includes
1887-534: The town's central roundabout. Between 1990 and June 2004 there were 27 non-combat related deaths at Catterick Garrison. Between 1995 and 2003, 7 soldiers had been found hanged in Catterick Garrison and another 6 soldiers had been killed by gunshot wounds. In 1997, 18 year old British soldier Daniel Farr of the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire , died under mysterious circumstances in Catterick. His death
1938-479: The traditional county regiments that were formalised in the Childers Reforms of 1881 to form larger multi-battalion regiments, has continued to affect most of the British Army Infantry since the 1957 Defence White Paper outlined the first mergers. The creation of the Royal Regiment of Scotland encountered considerable opposition amongst former soldiers , and nationalist groups. The new regiment
1989-499: The verb garnir , "to equip") is any body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it. The term now often applies to certain facilities that constitute a military base or fortified military headquarters . A garrison is usually in a city , town , fort , castle , ship , or similar site. "Garrison town" is a common expression for any town that has a military base nearby. "Garrison towns" ( Arabic : أمصار , romanized : amsar ) were used during
2040-519: Was Queen Elizabeth II , who was replaced by King Charles III . Princess Anne is the regiment's deputy colonel-in-chief. The colonels-in-chief of the constituent regiments making up the new regiment have become the Royal Colonels of their representative battalions: ^1 The position is vacant following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. ^2 The position
2091-522: Was announced by the Secretary of State for Defence , Geoff Hoon in the House of Commons on 16 December 2004, after the merger of several regiments and the reduction in total regular infantry battalions from 40 to 36 was outlined in the defence white paper , Delivering Security in a Changing World , several months earlier. The regiment consisted originally of a total of seven battalions: one of these
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2142-590: Was appointed to command the Northumbrian Division of the newly formed Territorial Army . His headquarters were in Richmond Castle , which was too small to hold the garrison, so he chose as a replacement the site for the Catterick military town. The following year saw the founding of the Scouting movement. On 12 August 1914, the order was issued for the construction of the camp, following
2193-422: Was discovered in his barracks in Catterick. He had been missing for three weeks before his absence was noticed. Before his disappearance and death, there had been reports that Mongan had suffered from abuse from fellow British military staff. In January 2020 a 57 year old civilian contractor, Alistair Ferguson, was crushed to death by a Wolfhound troop carrier at Catterick Garrison. In 2022, Nicholas (Nicki) Hart,
2244-403: Was formed by the amalgamation of the Royal Scots and King's Own Scottish Borderers , while the others are each formed from one of the remaining single-battalion regiments of the Scottish Division . Of all of the new regiments formed following the announcement of 16 December 2004, the Royal Regiment of Scotland is the only one where the former regimental titles have been prominently retained with
2295-839: Was founded in 2006, and the senior team play in the Wensleydale Creamery League , an affiliate league of the North Riding County Football Association . The Catterick Crusaders rugby league team play in the North East Division of the Rugby League Conference , originally known as the Northallerton Stallions, they adopted their current name after relocation in 2012. The town was formerly home to Garrison FM until 2013, when
2346-687: Was further exacerbated in the minds of some by the fact that the Colonel of the Black Watch, Lieutenant-General Alistair Irwin , was a member of the Army Board at the time that the options to change the size and structure of the infantry by forming large regiments, including to amalgamate regiments of the Scottish Division into a single regiment, were being considered in the Ministry of Defence and final decisions taken. The regiment
2397-441: Was initially formed of six regular and two territorial battalions on 28 March 2006. On 1 August 2006, the Royal Scots Battalion and King's Own Scottish Borderers Battalion were amalgamated into the 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Borderers , leaving the final regular roll of five regular battalions. In 2012, as part of the Army 2020 programme , it was announced that the 5th Battalion, while not losing its name, connection and history as
2448-415: Was still used as a medical facility until 2015, when services were relocated to RAF Leeming . However, an upgraded and brand new facility, known as the Catterick Integrated Care Campus is expected to open in 2026. Groundwork on the £55 million facility, a joint venture between the NHS and the Ministry of Defence, began in January 2024. The local ambulances are run by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service ,
2499-476: Was to control the indigenous non-Arab peoples of these conquered and occupied territories, and to serve as garrison bases to launch further Islamic military campaigns into yet-undominated lands. A secondary aspect of the Arab-Islamic garrisons was the uprooting of the aforementioned nomadic Arab tribesmen from their original home regions in the Arabian Peninsula in order to proactively avert these tribal peoples, and particularly their young men, from revolting against
2550-447: Was transferred to the British Army to become Marne Barracks which falls under the command of Catterick Garrison. In 2007 an investigation began after allegations that a parachute regiment soldier was filmed being sexually assaulted in Catterick. In 2018, to celebrate the centenary of the Armistice and the end of the First World War , four stone monuments, including a steam locomotive and a likeness of Lord Baden Powell, were erected on
2601-537: Was widely covered in British news media and led to the creation of the Daniel Trust. In 2003, Lance Corporal Derek McGregor was found hanged in Catterick Camp. He reportedly left behind a note alleging that he was beaten up and his superiors failed to take action. In 2004, the corpse of a 24 year old soldier belonging to the Coldstream Guards was found in Catterick Camp. In 2016, Adam Hosford, died on his 25th birthday at Catterick Garrison. In 2018 (sometimes reported as 2019) Alistair McLeish, an 18 year old soldier of
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