Stonehouse Barracks

Stonehouse Barracks, or RM Stonehouse, is a military installation at Stonehouse, Plymouth. It is the home of 3 Commando Brigade and referred to by commandos as 'the spiritual home of the Royal Marines'. Since the Corps' foundation in 1664, Marines have been quartered in Plymouth. Following their formation into three divisions in 1775, His Majesty's Marine Forces became the first corps in Britain to be fully accommodated in their own barracks, which were established in the three divisional towns of Chatham, Portsmouth and Plymouth; Stonehouse is the only one of these to have survived. As a whole, Stonehouse is described as "the oldest and most important group of barracks in England not forming part of a fortification: a very rare example of C18 planning, and a complex of great historic value". History of the Royal Marines The earliest parts of Stonehouse Barracks date from 1756, but the main phase of construction was undertaken between 1779 and 1785 by James Templer and Thomas Parlby, with later additions in the 19th century by Colonel Godfrey Greene. The original 1780s barracks complex consisted of a rectangular parade ground bounded by a long symmetrical barrack range on the east side (which provided accommodation for the 'private marines') together with a matching pair of shorter, officers' barrack blocks to the north and south. The south block included houses at either end for the commandant and his deputy; the north block housed the more junior officers. The west side of the parade ground was closed off with railings and gates, with a small guard house (topped by a clock and cupola) in the centre. A 'canteen' was built at the east end of the south range, and a separate infirmary to the north. The east and south blocks remain in situ and in use (though both were extended in the mid-19th century); the east block is said to be 'one of the earliest surviving barracks for a large unit of men in England'. During the Napoleonic Wars a decision was taken to expand the barracks; this was achieved by purchasing land to the south.