The Queens Division began training recruits at Bassingbourn in January 1970 with permanent staff drawn from the Regiment’s former Depots in Kent, Warwickshire and Suffolk. The first Commanding Officer was Lt Col WC Deller who had previously commanded Depot The Royal Anglian Regiment at Bury St Edmunds. The first adult Recruit intake formed up on 22 January and on 15 July the Headquarters The Queens Division moved from Colchester to Bassingbourn.

The depot was responsible for training recruits undergoing their 14 week basic training before joining a regular battalion of the Queens Regiment, Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the Royal Anglian Regiment. In addition the Regiment trained junior Bandsmen, Junior Drummers and Junior Infantrymen on 2 year and 18 month courses respectively. From 1970 until 1985 adult recruits of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps (RAVC) and from 1985, those of The Royal Pioneer Corps were also trained at Bassingbourn.

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