Wyvern Barracks

For the Cavalry barracks in Exeter, see Higher Barracks, Exeter.

Wyvern Barracks is a military installation on Topsham Road in Exeter.

Wyvern Barracks
Exeter
Entrance to Wyvern Barracks
Site information
Type	Barracks
Owner	Ministry of Defence
Operator	British Army
Location
Wyvern Barracks Location within Devon
Coordinates	50°42′41″N 03°30′41″W
Site history
Built	1800
Built for	War Office
In use	1800-Present
Garrison information
Occupants	6th Battalion, The Rifles

History

The site was established as an artillery barracks for the Board of Ordnance under the name of Topsham Barracks around 1800.^[1] In 1873 a system of recruiting areas based on counties was instituted under the Cardwell Reforms and the barracks became the depot for the two battalions of the 11th (North Devonshire) Regiment of Foot.^[2] Following the Childers Reforms, the regiment evolved to become the Devonshire Regiment with its depot in the barracks in 1881.^[2]

During the First World War a reserve brigade of the Royal Field Artillery was based there^[3] and during the Second World War units of the United States Army were based there.^[4] After becoming home to the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment in 1958,^[5] the barracks went on to become the regional centre for infantry training as the Wessex Brigade Depot under the name of Wyvern Barracks in 1960.^[6]

Current units

It is currently home to:^[7][8]

• Battalion HQ, HQ Company and an Assault Pioneer Platoon of 6th Battalion, The Rifles
• Exeter University Officers' Training Corps
• B Detachment of 243 Multi-Role Medical Regiment
• 715 Military Intelligence Section of 71 Military Intelligence Company of 7 Military Intelligence Battalion.