We had a family Christmas this year, staying in Byams House,
the Officers' Mess of 17 Port & Maritime Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps.
Staying at Byams House was not just a lovely way to spend
the holiday, but it brought together my interests in the 19th
century and the history of the British Army.
17 Port & Maritime Regiment is the regiment that
concerns itself with things naval. In the same way as the Army has its own air
wing (the Army Air Corps), it also has a sea-going capacity. In the past, this
has been much more extensive than now, with Army ships (flying the Blue Ensign
with crossed sabres) forming a significant fleet. Nowadays the Army's fleet is
much reduced, with most military transport being contracted to private vessels.
Even so, while the Navy is responsible for fighting on the sea, the transport
and landing of military supplies across water is the responsibility of the Army's
seamen navigators. (Don't call them sailors: they don't like it.)
British commitments in Afghanistan and the Falklands mean
that supplies are continually being shipped to and from these overseas
operations and many of these go through 17 Port & Maritime's own docks in
Marchwood, just outside Southampton. In fact, while the Army has seen regular
cuts since World War II, these docks have been expanded.
Although there are no stables at Marchwood, the British Army
(traditionally run by generals from the prestigious cavalry regiments) is still
not sure that the day of the horse is over. So Marchwood is not referred to as
an Army Port, or a Maritime Logistic Centre. No, it is the Sea Mounting Centre
(and RLC officers in mess uniform still wear spurs to remind them that their
job is all about horses). In fairness, Wikipedia refers to it as Marchwood
Military Port but no one working there does.
The port was built in 1943, to support the Normandy
landings. It was 17 Port & Maritime who were responsible for the Mulberry
Harbours. This was a system of prefabricated jetties that could be towed to
Normandy to provide a working harbour within hours. It was crucial to the
success of the Allied attack and remains a core element of 17 Port &
Maritime's capability.
Byams House was a rather splendid house conveniently close
to the docks. There was a house there before the 19th century, but
it was rebuilt as a grand home in 1878. The Army has built a new accommodation
wing, and decorated the exterior with cannon, but the feel of the place is much
as I
Modern entrance to
Byams House. The original building is on the left.
latter part of the 19th century. The number of people staying there varies as officers pass through or
are posted away, but at any one time around seven or eight will view Byams
House as home. It being Christmas (we don't start wars at Christmas) only our
host was at home, so we spread ourselves on the leather sofas round the log
fire in the grand hall and unwrapped gifts we
feet high, was sitting unobtrusively in a corner. We didn't get to use the reception
rooms: two rooms separated by folding doors so they can convert to one grand
ballroom. The rooms are still used for formal dinners and regimental balls,
their elegant proportions and enormous windows ideal for such occasions. Beyond
the windows there is a lawn, rather sad in a rain-soaked December, but ideal
for summer parties. Byams House also boasts a traditional walled garden, now
largely unloved except by officers' dogs who enjoy the chance to run off the
lead in safety.
© Copyright Peter Facey and
licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
We strolled up and down the grand staircase, or clattered
less splendidly on the servants stairs that provide a convenient short-cut. We
admired the oil paintings (mainly military vessels) and the regimental trophies,
and for two days we allowed ourselves to slip back to the 19th
century. By 1878, the end of the great houses of Britain was already in sight,
but William Gascoigne Roy Esq didn't know this when he rebuilt his family seat.
Thirty-six years later the Great War would end the way of life that had
supported these grand homes. Now most that remain are corporate headquarters,
hotels or nursing homes. A few have become military property. There, in a world
where tradition is valued and dinners still end with a loyal toast, we can
catch a glimpse of what life then must have been like.
