It was only twenty years after the last conflict, but everything at Park Hall had either been removed or left to decay. However, in May 1939, the land was earmarked once more for military use, with the expectation of four battalions being on site by the following July. As a result, construction crews moved in and within a very short time, the camp began to take on the shape that it was to retain for many years.

Park Hall Camp was huge in those days. At that time there were fifty-four infantry regiments in the British Army (severely reduced following the re-organisations of the late sixties) and all were represented at IJLB. The camp itself sprawled over a huge area and had at least four parade squares, one, Wingate Square, named after General Orde Wingate of WWII Burma Chindits fame, was the main parade square and reputedly the largest square in a UK barracks.
At its peak, Park Hall Camp housed nearly two thousand ’boy soldiers’ plus all the training and admin staff needed to keep the place functioning. Goodness knows how many boys entered training there and left as young men over the years of it’s existence as IJLB and later the additional Junior Soldiers Wing.

Memories of Park Hall Camp

Park Hall Camp, in 1966
Written by Malcolm Thomas Austin
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"Known as Camp cripple, always in trouble for fighting, did car repairs on the side inside Camp for Officers, when our Billet was posted to Senerlager Germany I was asked to fall out & was sent to HQ, where I did Special Forces Training, since being recognised as SAS. Still active with The British Legion & SSAFA"

Forces Reunited Forum Posts involving Park Hall Camp

" Hi, I’m looking for anyone who was at Park Hall Camp in 74. We were in JIW and were the last ones in the camp before it was pulled down. I was in Rhine Company/ 3 Platoon. I would also like to chat with any of the regular army instructors. Thanks"

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" I was a National Serviceman from 1948 until 1950.   Prior to this I was a member of the 390(Rushden)Sqdn ATC and had hoped to get into the RAF but when I asked I was given a stern "NO" you will go into the army boy.   Consequently I was posted to the R.A at PARK Hall Camp, Oswestry. ..."

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" We trained together in 1956 at Park Hall camp then went to Woolwich to do a clerks course. we were then posted to Barton Stacey 23rd Field RA.  You became clerk to Battery Office and I became gun crew.  You were demobbed in september 1958 and I in september 1959. Would be good to hear from you. "

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"hello david and welcome to f/r - may you have many posts and make new friends - incidentally i was a junior leader at ijlbn 1959 to 1961 - didnt like it much but stayed on in the army for 17 years - was a boy in plymouth and then park hall camp oswestry - all for now take care - colum "

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" Hi Peter . I hope you are warm and well and yes I am proud to say I was a gunner 22615509 gnr g w woolley sir. I was called up for n/s Aug 1950 went to Park Hall Camp Oswestry stayed for two weeks for selection. Put down my pref for trianing as a driver ,but they know best was sent to N Wales ..."

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