Weedon Barracks

Lying in the centre of the village and the centre of England Weedon barracks became vital in the supply of ordnance to the troops.

Prior to the start of World War II the internal railway was improved so railway trucks could be loaded. In 1939 a platform with a roof was constructed so vehicles could use the ramps to unload the railway trucks. The war meant much more traffic so the improvements were very valuable.

Prison labour paved the depot with granite 'sets' and these were replaced with a level gravel concrete surface in 1939. The magazines were used again for ammunition storage instead of gunpowder and were known as an Intermediate Ammunition Depot until 1942. The depot held bulk ammunition used for heavy anti-aircraft sites and equipment ammunition magazines. Then after 1942 the depot reverted to storehouses again.

The offices in the barracks were heavily used for clerical work and an additional office block was built to accommodate the staff. Also a brick decontamination centre was built with the casemates beneath being used as air raid shelters. Two other external air raid shelters were also added outside the perimeter wall of the barracks.

The Equitation School stables were used as an ordnance store and the Royal Army Ordnance Corps occupied the barracks having a hutted camp near the A5 Watling Street nearby. 3,500,000 weapons were issued from Weedon barracks and its shadow depot after the Battle of Alamein in October 1942 until November 1943. It was here at Weedon that the 'Landing Reserves' and 'Beach Maintenance Packs' were prepared for 'D' Day in 1944.