PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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DRILL HALL
The site of the former Millbay Barracks, Plymouth, was used for the headquarters of the 2nd Devon Volunteer Corps and in 1871 a huge drill hall, or drill shed as the Ordnance Survey seemed to favour calling it, was erected alongside Walker Terrace, where the present Territorial Army headquarters is situated. Designed by a Lieutenant Pearse, it was a large building, measuring 260 feet in length, 86 feet in width and was some 45 feet high, and cost £2,000 to erect. It became very useful as a venue for large conference, exhibitions and public gatherings, so much so that when Mr Gladstone, the Prime Minister, visited the Town in 1889, temporary galleries were installed and an audience of over 7,000 people were packed in to hear him speak. Sources:
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