David Otton

Hilsea Barracks

7 min read

  • Jun 1795: Prisoners Carried to Hilsea Barracks

    In June, French prisoners from captured ships at Spithead disembark, with most taken to Hilsea Barracks. Many prisoners sing Republican hymns. One of the parties of men mutinies during transport, but order is restored after a member of the Gloucester militia shoots one of the mutineers. Approximately 3,500 prisoners are brought to Hilsea.

  • Jan 1801: A New Adjutant

    In January, Stevenson, the adjutant of the Loyal Tarbert Fencibles, is appointed adjutant to Hilsea Barracks. He is replaced in the Fencible regiment by Lieutenant James Wilson from the West Norfolk Militia.

  • Oct 1803: Stephen Carroll, A Terrible Example

    Stephen Carroll, a soldier of the 70th Regiment, is executed for repeated desertion at the beginning of December. Marched from Hilsea Barracks to Portsdown Common under guard, he is accompanied by a priest and his coffin. The firing squad botches the process, and Carroll is eventually dispatched at close range. Witnessed by 12,000 military personnel and numerous civilians, the event serves as a public example to deter desertion, with the sentence read aloud to troops across the British army.

  • Dec 1803: A New Adjutant

    At the end of December, Ensign Barron of the 1st Royal Garrison Battalion is appointed adjutant at Hilsea Barracks, replacing Stevenson, who moves to a similar role with the 1st Royal Garrison Battalion.

  • Jan 1805: Fat Tender

    The Committee for regulating the meat supply for Portsmouth and its dependencies invites sealed tenders for purchasing fat produced from livestock slaughtered for His Majesty’s troops in the area.

  • Feb 1807: 1500 Lashes

  • Jun 1807: A New Commandant

    Lieutenant-Colonel John James Barlow, on half-pay, is appointed commandant at Hilsea Barracks in June. He replaces Mair.

  • Mar 1808: Mad Dogs and Officers

    In March, a rabid dog bites an officer and two men, severely tearing the face of one of the men. A soldier named Glew (?-1808) (likely the man whose face was torn) develops hydrophobia and succumbs at some point in May. Initially he shows no signs of illness, but after the full moon his condition worsens, leading to bouts of delirium and convulsions. In his final days he barks like a dog and experiences disturbing hallucinations. He also bites his attendant, who subsequently falls ill. Glew’s case is considered one of the worst on record. His body is dissected in the presence of local medical professionals.

  • 1808: To Be Majors in the Army

    Captain John Midgeley, on the staff at Hilsea Barracks, is promoted Major in May.

  • 1810: Morbid Anatomy

    Dr. James McGrigor begins a collection of morbid anatomy specimens at Hilsea. In 1816, the collection is transferred to York Hospital in Chelsea.

  • 1813: Purchase for Works at Hilsea Act

    Various lands and properties in Hilsea are compulsorily purchased to extend defensive works around the Hilsea Lines and Hilsea Barracks. Numerous landholdings near Hilsea Barracks are listed, including pasture, arable land, and buildings. The barracks serve as a key reference point, with many acquisitions described in relation to the barracks.

  • 1815-1819: Broadsword Exercises

    “Hilsea Barracks are an extensive set of cottage buildings.”

  • July 1816: Military Reduction

    The contingent of men at Hilsea Barracks is to be reduced from 1500 to 1000 men.

  • Jan 1817: Appointments Cease?

    This one doesn’t make a lot of sense to me. It looks like they mothballed the whole barracks? Can that be right?

  • Feb 1817 Death at Purbrook

    An inquest at Purbrook reviews the death of Hannah Pratt, who falls from the front of a stage wagon traveling from Hilsea Barracks to London. She is run over by the wheels, resulting in immediate death. The verdict is “Accidental Death.”

  • Nov 1870: An Abominable Offence

    William Florence and George Twelvetrees, gunners of the Royal Artillery, are both jailed for twelve months for “an abominable offence”.

  • Sept 1875: An Outbreak of Enteric Fever

    A localised outbreak of typhoid fever at Hilsea Barracks.

  • Sept 1887: Riot at Hilsea Barracks

    A riot breaks out at Hilsea Barracks involving Royal Artillerymen preparing to embark for foreign service. After drinking heavily in the canteen, quarrels escalate into physical violence. The canteen is briefly cleared, but as the situation worsens, the men are re-admitted to prevent further destruction. With the aid of sober Artillerymen and non-commissioned officers from the Scots Greys, the rioters are eventually subdued. Around a dozen men are arrested, and all but one are released the next morning. The detained soldiers continue their disruptive behaviour as they march to their ship, shouting and singing. Such incidents are common before deployment, but this one is unusually severe.

  • 1894: Army Medical Report

    Small sanitary improvements made at Hilsea.

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