The Silksworth Drill hall was built in 1883 by the 5th Lord Londonderry in Tunstall Village Road. It was Royal Artillery based. Londonderry had a number of such units in the area.

 

From the History of Seaham Harbour

“In 1859 the Government, alarmed by the apparent belligerency of France under Napoleon III, formed the Volunteer movement and invited towns and cities, especially those on the south and east coasts, to look to their own defence. The Marchioness of Londonderry responded by creating the Seaham Volunteer Artillery Brigade in 1860. In 1862 she built Seaham's first Drill Hall on Castlereagh Bridge. Seaham Harbour and Seaham Colliery men flocked to the colours. Drill Halls were also constructed by Frances Anne or her heir at Silksworth, Rainton, Durham and Seaham Colliery. Eventually 12 batteries (over 1,000 men) were created, out of a total County strength of 16 batteries. An indication of how seriously the Londonderry family took their private army can be found throughout the 1861 and later censuses - the number of professional soldiers they were prepared to employ and house in order to keep 'their' Volunteers in tip-top condition. All Londonderry agents were expected, indeed required, to train as officers. The 6th. Marquis, grandson of Frances Anne, built a huge new Drill Hall in 1888 and donated the Drill Field, now the site of Princess Road school playing field. He used to delight in leading the annual inspection and parade from the Drill Hall to the Drill Field in full ceremonial dress. One of the Volunteer uniforms is retained at Durham Records Office at County Hall. In 1908 the Volunteers were absorbed into the Territorial Army. There is a still a pub in Seaham called The Volunteers, last remnant of Frances Street. ”

In 1890s the Sergeant Major instructor was a Thomas Alexander Childs ex RA regular and a County Durham man. He had served in St Helena, India (where his two elder sons were born), London (daughter born there) and retired to Rainton County Durham. His fourthchild Henry Edward was born there. Henry died on the Somme Feb 1917 and he is remembered on the Theipval memorial. Thomas was succeeded by Amos Gurney again ex RA (CSM RGA) and hailed from Wegginton, Herefordshire. His children were born in Jamaica and Devonport. They were much travelled men. The hall had accommodation attached and both lived there with their families (Gurney in 1901 census).

The hall eventually became offices for the local Dairy. It was demolished to make way for a care home named Marquis Court. The foundation stone is incorporated with the homes foundation plaque.

Interestingly there is a clip from a news reel of 1913 in the Manchester Film Archives. This shows a Military Funeral in Silksworth. The event was to bury the local doctor, Doctor Beeks. He was a territorial. There is a full turn out, gun carriage and guard of honour presumably from the drill hall. Sadly it is a short clip and not in the best of condition.

 

The Drill Hall