Kempston Barracks

The Victorian barracks at Kempston, the Regimental Depot of the 16th Foot or Bedfordshire Regiment, were built in 1875-6 at the cost of about £50,000. The first troops arrived on 29th May 1877 and over the next sixty years thousands of men were trained here. In 1881 they became the Depot of the Bedfordshire Regiment and in 1918 the depot for the Beds & Herts. Between 1886 and 1900 the southern frontage of the Bedford Road was developed from New Town as far as the parish boundary, linking Kempston to Bedford. During the Second World War the barracks were used mainly as a convalescent centre, other functions having been transferred to Bury St. Edmunds. In 1958 the barracks closed and after nearly 80 years of decision making, a use as a Masonic Lodge has been found for the building. At least part of the Barracks, including the Keep is to remain as is the Regimental War Memorial opposite.

Click to see larger version

Behind the the monument is a garden of remembrance containing the ashes of those from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment 1945-1958. These are remembered on a plaque in the garden itself.

The two pillar monuments document details of the Regiment, the left detailing World War 1 and the right World War 2. Click on the left or right pillar or the building to see more details of that section.

Each year the Remembrance Parade is held one week later than the other services. This enables the individuals to take part in their own memorial services and then to combine for the Regimental Service. In 2007 photographs were taken of the memorial service and can be found on a separate page.

The Memorial in the Remembrance Garden

Medals:
Palestine Medal
The Defence Medal
George VI 1939-1945 Medal
George VI Coronation Medal
Elizabeth II Coronation medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Long Service & Good Conduct Medal

Husband of Mrs M A Berridge (below).

COMPANY SGT MAJOR W H DIEMER - Service No 32983 Private DIEMER Territorial War Medal For Voluntary Service Overseas 1914-1918. Service no 23983 Corporal DIEMER Bedford Regiment Great War For Civilisation 1914-1919. He is featured in the book "The History Of The 5th Battalion Beds And Herts Regiment TA"

Medals received
George the Fifth Medal 1914-1918
Service No 5945477 George the Fifth Efficient Service Medal And Bar
George the 6th Defence Medal 1939-1945
George 6th Medal 1939-1945

Details

Wounded December 1951

Killed in action 3rd March 1951

Wounded November 1951