Ramsden Garden Wall Memorial, Montgomery Lines

Ramsden Garden Wall Memorial, Montgomery Lines

This commemorative garden wall dates from 1962 and measures approximately 24 metres in length. It forms the southern edge of a part-sunken garden within the Montgomery Lines, a cluster of barracks and parade grounds at Aldershot.

The wall is constructed in concrete, designed in a consciously Brutalist style. Its aggregate is comprised of brick from the demolished Victorian Corunna, Barossa and Albuhera barracks. The material effect is deliberately rough, with irregularly exposed aggregate and an irregularly stepped profile to the top. The shuttered concrete finish features vertical grooves.

A stone inscription band runs at the base of the wall, executed in blocky sans serif lettering. It reads: "THIS STONE UNVEILED BY MR JAMES RAMSDEN MP PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR ON 4TH OCTOBER 1962 COMMEMORATES THE START OF THE REBUILDING OF BARRACKS IN ALDERSHOT". The rear elevation is plainer, though the brick aggregate and geometric styling remain apparent.

Historical Context

The four barracks that comprise Montgomery Lines — Arnhem, Bruneval, Normandy and Rhine — are collectively named after Field Marshal the Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, who was Colonel Commandant of the Parachute Regiment from 1944 to 1956. Built in 1962 to house the 16th Parachute Brigade, they occupy the original site of the Victorian barracks they replaced.

The wall commemorates the beginning of this post-war rebuilding, unveiled by James Ramsden, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for War. Ramsden held this office from 1960 to 1963 and was the last holder of the title; the position was renamed Secretary of State for Defence in 1964. The wall was constructed partly from re-used brick salvaged from the Victorian barracks demolished to make way for the new development.