Staffordshire Drill Halls

The drill hall has been a part of British military and social life since the 1860s, when Corps of Rifle Volunteers constructed premises for drill, funded by benefactors or public subscription.

The heyday of the drill hall began in the 1880s, following the Cardwell reforms of the Army, in which the Rifle Volunteers were formed into Volunteer Battalions of the County regiments to which they were affiliated.

Many of the Senior Officers of the units were also local businessmen or landowners, and funded not only the building of premises but the raising and equipping of the units themselves. Other units raised funds for building by means of the formation of limited companies, or public subscription and fundraising events such as fêtes and bazaars.

Further changes in the development of the drill hall occurred following the disbandment of the Volunteers and the formation under the Haldane reforms in 1908, of the Territorial Force and the County Territorial Associations who provided the administrative support for the units in their area. In Staffordshire for example, a number of premises were built which provided shared accommodation for infantry, artillery, engineer or medical units, and facilities for the local Yeomanry units.

For more information on Staffordshire Drill Halls and their role in the Great War see the Drill Halls web-site.