UNCOVERING RIPON’S BRIDGING ROLE IN WORLD WARS AND THE COLD WAR
The vital role of Ripon’s military establishment in both World Wars and in the Cold War has been highlighted in new research initiated by Ripon Civic Society as plans for housing and employment on the city’s former army camp are finalised.
The Society has been closely engaged with the planning process and has been keen to stress the importance of last remaining remnants of the city’s vast World War I camp, in which the poet Wilfred Owen was stationed. Setting up the Ripon Military Heritage Trust to aid further research, it has now discovered that from the start of World War II the remaining site was the test-bed for developing and trialling demountable bridges, including the famous Bailey Bridge.
The Society has been closely engaged with the planning process and has been keen to stress the importance of last remaining remnants of the city’s vast World War I camp, in which the poet Wilfred Owen was stationed. Setting up the Ripon Military Heritage Trust to aid further research, it has now discovered that from the start of World War II the remaining site was the test-bed for developing and trialling demountable bridges, including the famous Bailey Bridge.