Queen Katherine Street drill hall, Kendal
The Queen Katherine Street drill hall, sometimes known as the Aynam Road drill hall is former military installation located in Queen Katherine Street, off Aynam Road, in Kendal, Cumbria.History
The building was designed as the base for the Westmorland-based companies of the 1st Volunteer Battalion, The Border Regiment and was built in the late 19th century. These companies became part of the 4th Battalion, The Border Regiment in 1908. The companies were mobilised at the drill hall in August 1914 before being deployed to India. A Squadron, Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry and the 3rd West Lancashire Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps were also based at the drill hall.
After the Strand Road drill hall in Carlisle closed, the Queen Katherine Street drill hall became the headquarters for the whole battalion. The presence at the drill was reduced to a single company, D Company, 4th Battalion, The Border Regiment in 1967. This unit evolved to become B Company, Northumbrian Volunteers in 1971, C Company, 4th Battalion, The King's Own Royal Border Regiment in 1975 and B Company, 4th Battalion, The King's Own Royal Border Regiment in 1988. The presence at the drill was further reduced to a mortar platoon in 1992 and ceased altogether in 1999. The building remains an active Army Cadet Force Centre.
