Pirbright Barracks

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One of the two main infantry depots in the country - the other being Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.
Originally the Guards depot (training establishment).
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   51°18'15"N   -0°39'59"E

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  • Home of the world famous Grenadier Guards
  • I will be going there soon to do my training.
  • cant wait. then will be joining my friends that are already there.
  • im going on monday for my army selection!!! i cant wait !!
  • am goin ther in october for my phase 1
  • i was there in july 1983. couldnt believe how hard the training was. the four sisters! the march and shoot! bayonet assault course. queen mary!the disused canal, and last but by no means least....THE SANDHILL. omg..lol, passed out and joined the 2ndbtn grenadier guards and served in belize and northern ireland. met some great mates and would love to contact a few i havent seen for over 20yrs.to anyone who is about to join? best of british and keep your heads down.
  • i was there in 1980 had a great time there alot different now i think im goin back there after 30yrs i joined the 2nd batt coldstream guards in germany loved the sandhill ? not lol and the queen mary
  • I should be going on ACF training here with the City of London & NE Sector (CoLNES) ACF - 2 Coy cadets next month
  • to be correct original home of the guards divison
  • did my training for 6 weeks after ijlb in 1971.very hard work but you realise in the end that it was all worth it.Joined 2nd battalion coldstream guards 1972-1978.Served in n.ireland,cyprus,sharjah.Great mates,anyone going there for training remember what i said hard work but worth it.
  • done my training as a boy soldier in 1971 and passed out into the irish guards 1973. training was very hard and if i had my time again, i would do it again just for the great mates i had, namley smokey robinson scots guards, bleinhem platoon. so many memories and evan now at 57 yrs young, it all seems like yesterday... best regards one and all, budgie.
  • I joined the Lifeguards at Pirbright October 1971 . Five months training and its a totally alien environment in the army in the early days. I remember how much I envied the civilians going around doing normal day to day routine such as walking their dog or waiting for a bus. SOMEHOW we got through it - well, some of us did - not half so many at the end as there was at the beginning. I hated it at the time and would have left if Id known that I could. I thought the 20 weeks would never end. Seems a long time ago now. I was 18 then now Im 60. Glad I did it. Civilians would never understand what we went through.
  • I was there in 1973, bloody hard work, lived in D Lines initialy, home to the Household Division, SEPTUM JUNCTO IN UNO
  • I was at the Guards depot in 62. Joined as a Junior Guardsman on my 17th birthday and was part of the first squad to join 13 company before being posted to 2nd Battalion Coldstream. I was based at various times in Chelsea, Kenya, Aden, Mauritius, Windsor and finished up back at Pirbright Elizabeth Barracks. Can't say I enjoyed my time at the depot but so pleased I stuck it out. Great mates, Great regiment and Great memories.
  • Pirbright, home to a sgt 'S***h' that seriously injured a recruit by smashing a drill manual against his ear (from behind) while said recruit was marching. There are Guardsmen and there is the occasional coward.
  • I was at guards depot 1970 blues and royals junior training high borstal intake especially amongst junior ncos, I saw and experienced unpleasant incidents of bullying and violence, that still haunt me to this day.
  • I was the side-drum instructor with Tich Morrison from 1960 until 1964. There is a group of us having a plaque and tree dedicated to the JGC Junior Guardsmen and the Staff at the National Arboretum in memory to those who are passed on RIP - anyone interested in helping can contact Barry Robinson (Gold-Sergeant Rtd) at barry&lynda@sky.com - we hope to be able to have a get-together when it has been done. :-)
  • I joined Coldstream Guards at 16, in 1969. I can't say that I had a bad time, enjoyed training most of time, plus playing rugby. Remember being over the moon on finding out I was joining 2nd Battalion, as they where in Germany. Then informed was joining them in Belfast.
  • you are correct james it was a dog fight . I was there 1970 rhine platoon
  • off to Pirbright tomorrow. wish me luck.
  • Was there in the early 60's - JLSG's as a piper - loved it.. especially the 'sand hill' at the rear of the gym..
  • Good luck!! Keep your head down - don't volunteer and remain positive.. you should enjoy it!
  • WELL I NEVER!!! One of my favourite juniors was Budgie Bird. I was his drill instructor along with Davie Hawksworth and Reg Lawrence from the Life Guards. Do Budgie whats my name? Same Regiment as the Platoon Sergeant.
  • Your number is familiar and I expect from around July 1964. my number was 23969190. Iwas one of the Scots Guards recriuts who helped win the Army Cup in football. Trainer was L/Sgt Ken Hanson "who didnt like people from Aberdeen"
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This article was last modified 7 years ago