Staring at the Priory Road Drill Hall, one might not immediately grasp the depth of its history. This military installation at Hornsey in London has been around since 1903. Before the Priory Road Drill Hall existed, the Territorial Force used a small drill-hall at Crouch End. They then moved to the National Hall on Hornsey High Street in 1888.
That National Hall served its purpose until 1896. Then, The Elms, an old house on this very site, was purchased as headquarters for the 3rd Middlesex Rifle Volunteers. Imagine The Elms. It was extended by 1903 to form the first version of the Priory Road Drill Hall.
In 1908, the Hornsey unit transformed into the 7th Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment. The Priory Road Drill Hall became a place of mobilization. In August 1914, the battalion gathered here. They were then deployed to the Western Front.
The Priory Road Drill Hall underwent a complete rebuild in 1936. This is the structure we see today. It has witnessed many changes.
After cutbacks in 1967, the presence at the Priory Road Drill Hall diminished. By 1975, only one company remained. This was B Company 6th / 7th (Volunteer) Battalion, the Queen’s Regiment. In 1988, it became B (Albuhera) Company, 8th Battalion The Queen’s Fusiliers.
The London Regiment formed in 1992. By then, the Priory Road Drill Hall housed only a single rifle platoon. This platoon was from B (Queen’s Regiment) Company, the London Regiment.
Even now, the Priory Road Drill Hall remains an active Army Reserve Centre. It stands as a testament to time and service. From its humble beginnings as The Elms to its current role, the hall has served Hornsey. It has supported the military for over a century. As you pass by, remember the soldiers who trained here. Think of those who marched from this very spot to serve their country. The Priory Road Drill Hall embodies their legacy.