Imphal History
The Infantry Barracks, Fulford were built between 1877 and 1880, at a cost of £15,000, next to the older Cavalry Barracks (now largely demolished) which were erected in 1795-96.
History of Imphal Barracks
The Localisation of Forces Act of 1873 resulted in the establishment of Brigade districts, each centred upon a regular infantry regiment, which provided and staffed the Brigade Depot.
In 1879 Brigade districts became regimental districts, each taking the number of the regiment which formed the depot. In 1873 the 14th Regiment of Foot established a brigade depot in Bradford and in 1878 this was moved to York and the following year became the depot for the 14th Regimental district.
The 14th Regimental district was raised in Kent in 1685 and during its existence bore 3 different county titles, starting with Bedfordshire in 1782 and changing in 1809 to Buckinghamshire. In 1876, at the request of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) 'Prince of Wales' Own' was added to the title and in 1881 the regiment became "The Prince of Wales' Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment'.
In 1958 the West and East Yorkshire Regiments were amalgamated becoming "The Prince of Wales' Own Regiment of Yorkshire"
Apart from some interruption during the two World Wars the Regimental Depot occupied the buildings on the North side of the Barracks, those on the South side being used to accommodate a succession of different infantry units until 1951 when the Regimental depot expanded to become the Depot of Yorkshire and Northumberland Brigade and took over the accommodation on the South side as well, less the Officers' and Sergeants' mess.
Also in 1951 the barracks were named Imphal Barracks. Imphal was considered to be the most significant battle honour won by the West Yorkshire Regiment in the Second World War. In 1944 both regular battalions of the Regiment had played a distinguished part in the vital defence of Imphal Plain, Burma against japanese attacks.
The siege of Imphal Plain was deemed to have been raised on 22 June 1944 and this date continues to be observed as a Regimental day by the present Regiment .
In 1958 Regimental Depots were abolished in favour of the Brigade system and the Depot at York closed after being in existence of 80 years. Regimental Headquarters of The Prince of Wales' Own Regiment of Yorkshire were established in Imphal House adjoining the present Garrison Officers' mess, in what was previously the official residence of the Depot Commander.
In the 1970's the present North East District Headquarters complex was built on what was the depot sports field. A row of soldiers' married quarters, to the East of the present Regimental Headquarters, 2 Signal Regiment (and formerly the Depot Sergeants' mess), was demolished to make way for a new building. The reason for naming the 6 barrack block on the South side of the Barracks after the Yorkshire towns of Dewsbury, Knaresborough, Ripon, Rotherham,Selby and Wetherby is not absolutely certain.
It is thought that they were named, quite early in their existence, because they were used at times to accommodate men of the 2 militia battalions of the West Yorkshire Regiment during their annual periods of training.
The Keep, as in other similar barracks, was designed as an arsenal for both Regular and Militia units capable of defence in the event of civil disturbance.