17/08/2026
Today's is this photograph from the Catterick Resettlement Centre, at (now) Catterick Garrison, Yorkshire c.1940s.
Catterick Garrison was set up by Sir Robert Baden Powell in 1907, after he was appointed into the Territorial Army. His HQ in Richmond Castle was too small to establish a garrison, so Catterick was chosen to be developed into a military camp.
Upon the outbreak of WW1 construction began, although this was originally supposed to be a temporary camp that could accommodate around 40,000 men. This was firstly called Richmond Camp, changing to Catterick Camp in 1915. It would not be renamed again until 1973, when it became Catterick Garrison.
The role of Catterick Camp was varied, especially after it became a permanent military barracks, following the end of the First World War and partitioning of Ireland in 1921. In both the First and Second World War, parts of the Camp were used to house prisoners of war.
The Resettlement Centre served to prepare serving soldiers for employment in civilian life. There were multiple areas of study, such as police and prison service, civil service, commerce and business studies, as well as general trades (carpentry, mechanics, plumbing etc.). All of which were focused on training soldiers in skills they could transfer into jobs outside of the military.
These men were likely soldiers preparing for life in a civilian role following the end of the Second World War.
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