New panels celebrate military history of University of Cumbria's Lancaster campus
New interpretation panels commemorating the rich military history of the University of Cumbria’s Lancaster campus have been unveiled.
The university’s Bowerham Road site previously served as a military barracks and training depot for the 4th Regiment of Foot, later named the King’s Own Royal Regiment.
An event marking the installation of the displays, which explore how the buildings were used and the activities of soldiers stationed there, was held over Remembrance weekend.
The panels were officially unveiled by Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire Helen Bingley OBE and the Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Colin Hartley, on Saturday 7 November.
Claire Aindow, Pro Vice Chancellor for Growth and Development at the University of Cumbria, said: "The University of Cumbria feels keenly the beneficial weight of our long and distinguished history.
"The event, recognising our connection with the King's Own Royal Regiment at what was the Bowerham Barracks and is now the University of Cumbria's Lancaster campus, served to remind us of our historic military connections, continued to this day by our founding membership of the Defence Universities Alliance.
"It gave us an opportunity to thank our armed forces for the work they do in protecting us, and, so close to Remembrance Sunday, to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe."
The teal-coloured panels are situated on the Keep, Askwith Building, College North and College Main.
Veterans from the King's Own were among those who attended the unveiling, alongside representatives of the Cumbria Museum of Military Life and the College for Military Veterans and Emergency Services.
The leader of Lancaster City Council, Caroline Jackson, also arrived on campus to see the new panels.
An Act of Remembrance included a rendition of the Last Post and a two-minute silence.
Help throughout the day was offered by Army Cadets drawn from Wingate Company based in Lancaster and Morecambe.
Following the unveiling, Colonel David Bates, Senior Lecturer in Disaster Response at the university, offered guests a guided tour of the campus.
He described the installation of the panels as a "major achievement" for the university in recognising the history of the Bowerham Road site.
Image: Senior Lecturer Colonel David Bates and Claire Aindow, Pro Vice Chancellor for Growth and Development
"The interpretation boards remember the lives of the soldiers who trained and deployed from here," he added. "This is a great way to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to supporting our armed forces communities, both within and out with the University of Cumbria."
Built between 1876 and 1880, the former military buildings continue to play a key role in campus life.
The Keep, once used to store ammunition, uniforms and equipment, now houses staff offices.
Students at the university's International College are taught in the former drill shed, where soldiers practised battle formations and marching.
The barracks housed more than 800 troops at a time until its closure in 1959.
In 1964 the site opened as St Martin’s College, a Church of England teacher training facility and one of the University of Cumbria's legacy institutions.
The new panels will help preserve and celebrate the military heritage of the historic buildings and their significance to the Lancaster community.
Image: (L-R) Padre Graham Young, Pro VC Claire Aindow, Mayoress Elaine Hartley, Mayor Colin Hartley, DL Helen Bingley OBE, bugler Stuart Bateson and Andrew Dennis OBE
The project reflects the university's connection with the armed forces.
Last week it was announced that government funding had been secured to establish a new centre to support the armed forces community in Cumbria.
The University of Cumbria was among the organisations to support the bid.
Earlier this year the university became a founding member of the Defence Universities Alliance, a partnership working to strengthen the UK's defence and national security capabilities.
The university received the Ministry of Defence's Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award in 2023. The award is the highest recognition available to organisations that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to supporting serving personnel, veterans and military families.
People can find more information about the King's Own by visiting the regiment's collection in the Lancaster City Museum or through the QR code on the Bowerham Barracks panel on campus.