Former soldiers' home given listed status

A former mental health and welfare home for soldiers is one of six historic buildings at an army base in North Yorkshire to be newly listed.

Built in 1928, the former Sandes Soldiers’ Home at Catterick Garrison has been given Grade II* listed status.

Historic England said the building had been listed due to its "architectural quality and its historical association with Elise Sandes", the Christian philanthropist and founder of a welfare movement for soldiers.

The other five buildings to be listed include three mess buildings and an education centre.

Catterick Garrison, near Richmond, began life as a temporary military training facility during World War One to accommodate two army divisions, numbering around 40,000 troops.

During the 1920s, the camp became permanent and an extensive building programme took place over the following two decades, with the Sandes Soldiers' home described as the "most architecturally impressive".

Historic England said Sandes' vision for the facility was "revolutionary for its time".

A spokesperson said: "Whilst many Victorian charities focused on supporting soldiers' families, Sandes' organisation prioritised the soldiers themselves, providing them with a sanctuary away from the temptations of alcohol, gambling, and prostitution.

"Run by women, the Sandes Soldiers' Home offered a pioneering approach to mental health support within a military setting."

Sarah Charlesworth, listing team leader for the North at Historic England, added: “Newly listing a building at Grade II* is a rare occurrence but the former Sandes Soldier’s Home thoroughly deserves this higher level of listing in recognition of both its architectural quality and its historical association with Elise Sandes."

The five other buildings to be listed are, the Army Education Centre; Vimy Officers' Mess, Servants Quarters, and Squash Racket Court; Building 55, former Officers' Mess; Baden Powell House; and Pinhill Mess.

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