York Historic Environment Record

By 1876 a site of about 35 acres on the south side of the cavalry barracks had been acquired by the War
Department and the infantry barracks were built between 1877 and 1880. Renamed Imphal after 1951 in commemoration of campaigns in Burma, the site was developed under the new ‘Cardwell Reform’ policy of combining regular and reserve battalions on the same site. The West Yorkshire Regiment 14th Foot (renamed the Prince of Wales Own Regiment) occupied the north side and the 2nd West York Light Infantry occupied the south side, with a shared parade ground in between.

During the First and Second World Wars, practice trenches (assets MYO2214-2220) and an assault
course (MYO2224) were created within the Walmgate Stray, the remains of which exist at the site today. The remains of rifle ranges (MYO 2213) are extant to the north and in close proximity to the car park development area.

The military establishments continued to expand during the early 20th century with the appearance of the Royal Army Medical Corps on a site adjoining the hospital, and further staff accommodation: however, the dominant military presence declined in the latter part of the century with the closure of the Cavalry Barracks (to the north of Imphal barracks) and the removal of most buildings other than the front guard houses. (Mott Macdonald)

NMR Information

Summary description
Infantry barracks on Fulford Road, York, built between 1877 and 1880 on land immediately to the south of the 18th-century cavalry barracks. In 1951, the infantry barracks were renamed the Imphal Barracks; they are still used by the army.

Full description
Infantry barracks on Fulford Road, York, built between 1877 and 1880 on land immediately to the south of the 18th-century cavalry barracks (SE 65 SW 467). In 1951, the infantry barracks were renamed the Imphal Barracks; they are still used by the army. (1)

Sources
1 Field Investigators Comments English Heritage: Urban Commons project: Walmgate Stray survey

Mott Macdonald, 2014, Imphal Barracks Fulford Road York (Unpublished document). SYO1523.

WYAS, 2015, Imphal Barracks, Fulford (Unpublished document). SYO1798.

NMR, 2019, NMR data (Digital archive). SYO2214.