H.M.S. Royal Arthur

 

330095-219224-thumbnail.jpg

During the WWII an assessment camp for new recruits to the navy was set up in a Butlins holiday camp in Skegness after the war they were moved to Wiltshire as I assume Butlins wanted their camp back!

The new assessment camp in Corsham consisted off several barrack blocks with shower areas a main building 330095-219215-thumbnail.jpgcomplex where all of the camps attendees would have their meals, this building also included a bar area and a sports Hall. The back of this building held an 330095-219233-thumbnail.jpgoutdoor swimming pool although swimming in it now would be a bad idea!

Venturing further into the complex was a library and what seemed to be a viewing room, possibly a lecture hall and towards the far end was an assault course. Dotted around the site are various teaching rooms and also a few stores and an armoury which despite how much we searched we were unable to find! Probably because we left the map behind!

 

330095-219223-thumbnail.jpg

At the bottom of the complex there was the officer’s mess quite a new building compared with the others on 330095-219228-thumbnail.jpgthe site and sadly damaged by arson, the remains of a parquet floor can be seen and also the remains of the officers kitchens where I am sure that they had better than usual food!

330095-219219-thumbnail.jpgThe site finally closed in 1993 and since then it has been widely vandalised, I did not see an intact window in the entire place! Graffiti is widespread throughout the complex, some of it surprisingly artistic! I believe that the site was once used as a gypsy camp and people use parts of the site for fly tipping.

A plan has been submitted and approved by the local council for the site to be demolished and in its place would be built a retirement village.

H.M.S Royal Arthur Tour Gallery