Ladysmith Barracks depot at the barracks in 1881. The name of the barracks was changed to commemorate the actions of the Manchester Regiment at the Siege of Ladysmith during the Second Boer War. During the Second World War the barracks served as home to the 14th Technical Training Centre of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. The Manchester Regiment amalgamated with the King's Regiment (Liverpool) to form the King's Regiment in 1958 and the barracks were decommissioned. They were demolished in 1985 and the site was subsequently redeveloped for residential use. A blue plaque now commemorates the location. Ladysmith Barracks Ladysmith Barracks
Siege of Mafeking town showed they were well trained as they performed remarkably well in their intended mobile role. The Mafeking defending forces totalled around 2,000, including the Protectorate Regiment of around 500 men, around 300 from the Bechuanaland Rifles and the Cape Police and a further 300 men from the town. The British garrison armed 300 African natives with rifles, these were nicknamed the "Black Watch" and used to guard the perimeter. Prior to the siege, Lord Edward Cecil formed the Mafeking Cadet Corps of boys aged 12 to 15 (claimed to be one of the inspirations for the Boy Scouts) who