| Bovington Camp | |
|---|---|
| NearDorchester | |
 Tank Training Area | |
| Site information | |
| Type | Barracks |
| Owner | Ministry of Defence |
| Operator |  British Army |
| Location | |
  Bovington Camp Location within Dorset | |
| Coordinates | 50°42′N2°14′W / 50.70°N 02.24°W /50.70; -02.24 |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1899 |
| Built for | War Office |
| In use | 1899–present |
Bovington Camp (/ˈbɒvɪŋtən/) is aBritish Armymilitary base inDorset,South West England. Together withLulworth Camp it forms part ofBovington Garrison.
The garrison is home to The Armour Centre and contains two barracks complexes and two forest andheathland training areas that support Phase Two training for soldiers of theRoyal Armoured Corps and trade training for theHousehold Cavalry Regiment as well as other armoured units. It also housesThe Tank Museum on its property.
The camps at Bovington andLulworth were originally established in 1899 as aninfantry training area and ranges. In 1916, they became training camps for the Heavy Branch of theMachine Gun Corps which relocated fromNorfolk. The Heavy Branch was responsible for the operation of thetank in theBritish Army. In 1917 the Heavy Branch split from the Machine Gun Corps to become the Tank Corps, with the Depot and Central Schools being based at Bovington.[1]
In 1937 the Central Schools became the Armoured Fighting Vehicles School, with driving and maintenance training at Bovington and gunnery atLulworth. The School became known as the Royal Armoured Corps Centre in 1947, now renamed The Armour Centre.[1]
The camp is home to:
Ministry of Defence
British Army
Royal Navy
Soldiers and Officers attend stage 2 training at the Armoured Fighting Vehicle Training Group following initial training and undertake courses in gunnery, signals, driving, vehicle maintenance and tactics. The centre also provides through career, and promotion, training for soldiers and officers. The group delivers course through three operating sections; Communications, Gunnery and Driving & Maintenance. The majority of this training is delivered at Bovington Camp with live gunnery activities taking place at nearbyLulworth Ranges.[11]
Media related toBovington Camp at Wikimedia Commons
