Monthly feature
The Camera Returns
April 2024
Hereford Prison
A non-military photograph comparison this month - but there is a military connection!
Hereford County prison stood in Commercial Road where the old cinema and bus station stand now. The only remnants are the governors house and the rear wall of the prison (backing onto the hospital).
The prison was closed shortly before the First World War, but was reopened during the war as a military prison - little else is known about it - how long it was opened and it capacity - but accounts exist of prisoners being escorted from the Railway Station to the prison and in one account the prisoners escaped en route!
Another military prison was established as Rotherwas House for Conscientious Objectors and Terrorists but little is known about this prison.
January 2024
Friars St Barracks
This month’s photographs are of the Friars St Drill Hall in Hereford.
The Barracks were the home of The HQ and Hereford Companies of The Herefordshire Rifle Volunteer Corps and after the formation of the Territorial Force in 1908 it became the location of a Rifle Coy of the new Herefordshire Regiment. The HQ of the new Regiment was in the old Militia Barracks in Harold St.
The Barracks ‘closed’ after the Second World War – the corrugated iron Drill Hall became a bus garage and the only link to the military was (and still is) the Military Club on the site. The club is still there and the site is now a sheltered housing development – ‘Williams’ Grange’ names after a permanent Staff Instructor who served at the Barracks for many years – William Pullinger.
It is difficult to get the exact perspective of the then and now due to new buildings but the church spire of All Saints and the tower of St Nicholas are excellent reference points.
December 2023
Ledbury Railway Station
This month's feature shows a photograph of C (Ledbury) Company of The Herefordshire Regiment mobilising on August 5th 1914. The company had formed up at the Drill Hall in New Street and marched to the station led by a Boy Scout band. They then entrained and joined with the rest of the Battalion at Hereford before travelling on to their war station at Pembroke Dock.
The 1914 photo is taken looking towards Hereford, the rails to the branch line to Gloucester (a Beeching loss!) can clearly be seen. In the current photo all of the station buildings have gone as has the roof of the bridge.
November 2023
Officers Dining At The Green Dragon Hotel Hereford
Thi month' s featured 'old' photographs shows the officers of the Regiment dining at The Green Dragon Hotel in Hereford. The photo is taken outside the 'backdoor' which leads to Aubrey Street.
The Regiment would hold regular dinner nights for their own amusement but also to entertain visiting officer and local dignitaries.
It is thought the photograph was taken in the early 1930s - many officers are wearing First World War medals and some served with the Regiment including: Col Pateshall, Majors Green and Barker and Maj (QM) Millington (who was RSM) and Capt Taylor who also served with the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force. Capt Taylor was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross which is always interesting to see a Herefordshire Regiment Army Officer wearing this decoration.
The rear door has changed but is still clearly identifiable.
A Dinner night is still held annually to maintain the tradition - but is now somewhat less formal!
January 2024
Little Marcle Road (previously Gasworks Lane!) - Ledbury
This month photos are taken at the junction of Albert Road and Little Marcle Road in Ledbury.
The TA garages were here (but long gone) whilst the Drill hall was in New St.
The ground behind the garages was 'open' and a wooden hut located there became the Army Cadet Force hut. This old hut was replaced by a more modern building in the 1960s.
The phot is taken looking North West towards the 'Brook bridge' over the River Leadon towards the 'Jam factory'. The area has changed totally with new houses and the Ledbury bypass and a new bridge.
