THE BARRACKS PRE AND POST WAR

Chelsea Barracks was built in the early 1860s and was built to house two battalions of the footguards regiments. This was so they could march to do the ceremonial duties at the royal palaces nearby. It housed the longest parade square in London which made it ideal for rehearsing ceremonial marches. 

It served as Barracks for the Guards regiments right through both world wars. Its original building was taken down and large tower blocks replaced them in the 1950s and 1960s. The site was sold off to be turned into the private housing development in 2008. 

All that remains of the original site is the garrison chapel which dates to the original site. Also, the large metal perimeter fence that sounds the site is also original dating to 1860s.