Schoolchildren, veterans and local people lined Woolwich High Street last week to welcome the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery to its new home.
The unit left its long-term home in St John’s Wood on 6 February and the seven officers, 164 soldiers and 109 horses moved into their brand new barracks – Napier Lines – the following day.
“We have been tremendously heartened and humbled by the strength of public support for the King’s Troop and The Army,” commanding officer Major Mark Edward told H&H.
Napier Lines was commissioned and designed exclusively for the King’s Troop, and work on the £16m project began in October 2010.
The horses will be hacked on nearby Woolwich Common and where there is also a grassed training area.
The barracks also has a canter track, an outdoor school and a 120x80m indoor arena.
This is big enough for them to practise the musical ride, where horses tow the troop’s six World War I guns at a gallop in choreographed manoeuvres.
For pictures and more on this story see the current issue of H&H (16 February)
