Royal Marine Barracks, Chatham


The Royal Marine Barracks, Chatham was a military installation occupied by the Royal Marines and located at the Gun Wharf at Chatham in Kent. The barracks were situated immediately to the south of the Dockyard, just above the Ordnance Wharf.

History

The Royal Marine Barracks were completed and first occupied by the Royal Marines in September 1779. By February 1894 a total of 7 officers and 1,049 non-commissioned officers and men were quartered in the barracks. The Melville Hospital for Seamen and Marines was built on an adjacent site between 1827 and 1828: the hospital was converted into living accommodation and functioned as a barracks extension, known as Melville Barracks, from the early 20th century. The Royal Marine Barracks remained in use until 1950 when Chatham ceased to operate as a Naval base. Both the Royal Marine Barracks and the adjacent Melville Barracks were subsequently demolished. The Medway Council offices and car park now stand on the site.