Ripon Military Heritage Trust - RMHT

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Ripon Military Heritage Trust - RMHT

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Ripon Military Heritage Trust - RMHT, Charitable organisation, 30 Market Place West, Ripon.

The RMHT has been established to research, conserve, interpret and provide access to the tangible and intangible military heritage of the City of Ripon and its environs.

06/06/2026

Today marks the anniversary of D-Day and we remember all those who landed on the Normandy beaches. Many of those troops were allied engineers who had trained or benefited from others who trained at Ripon. Recent research has revealed that 3 of the historic huts still remaining at Deverell Barracks were teaching huts - the very huts in which those allied engineers would have received instruction about all aspects of assault engineering. All the historic WW2 huts remain under threat of demolition; the Trust continues to fight for the survival of a representative group so that this forgotten and vital story can be told.

!HERITAGE WORTH FIGHTING FOR!

03/06/2026

The Trust was deeply saddened to hear recently of the death of the legendary off-road rider and motor cycling champion Arthur Lampkin. We were honoured to interview Arthur as part of our Oral History Project - in fact Arthur was our first recording, another record for the Lampkin family! In 1958 he found himself at Harper Barracks in Ripon undertaking National Service in the Royal Signals. Arthur had fond memories of his time at Ripon and was able to carry on with his racing career bringing many trophies back to Ripon.

R.I.P. Arthur Lampkin (30 May 1938 - 21 February 2026)

08/05/2026

We will be on the Market Place tomorrow celebrating 'Ripon Weekend'. The Trust is campaigning to save a number of the important and historic WW2 huts at Deverell Barracks which are of national and international significance. Come along and see us to find out more and help save "Ripon's Historic WW2 Huts!"

Special thanks to Matthew at 'Colour It In' for all his help.

21/04/2026

As part of our Oral History Project we have just had the privilege of interviewing three amazing ladies who remember Ripon during WW2. One of the many stories they told, between talking about the American troops and Canadian airmen, was about Ripon's "Canary Girls". These were women who were bused everyday from Ripon to the munitions factory at Thorp Arch outside Wetherby. The exposure to toxic chemicals at the factory turned their skin and hair yellow giving them the nickname "Canary Girls". Despite the high risks and huge workload, British female munitions workers have only just been recognised for their bravery and sacrifice. We would love to hear from anyone who has any information about Ripon's "Canary Girls" - please get in touch if you can help.

Photo: Women from R.O.F. Thorp Arch at a promotion day at Leeds, WW2.

26/03/2026

The Trust was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Arthur Preece R.E. Arthur recently shared his memories of training and maintaining Bailey bridges just after the end of WW2. His story was full of fascinating facts and is now a valuable part of our Oral History Project, preserved for future generations. Although his eyesight had deteriorated, Arthur was interested to feel and hold parts of our model Bailey bridge, commenting on the individual pieces.

Arthur Preece 1928-2026 Rest In Peace

25/02/2026

Our Oral History Project is revealing some fascinating stories. From the army padre who carried out an exorcism at the scene of a Bosnian massacre to tales from the Falklands Conflict. R.E. veteran Tony Douglas remembered coming ashore at San Carlos Bay after the paratroopers had secured the beaches. Ordered to carry their spare kit in suitcases the sappers arrived on landing craft, suitcases in hand, much to the amusement of the watching paratroopers!! Weeks later any embarrassment was forgotten, as the sappers had spare kit and were not forced to borrow Argentinian uniforms as some other British troops were.

We are still keen to speak to and record the memories of anyone who was stationed and trained in Ripon or had some connection to the military in the city. The Trust is particularly keen to speak to those who served in more recent conflicts such as the Gulf and Iraq Wars, Afghanistan, the Falklands Conflict and Northern Ireland. You can contact us through the Oral History Page on our website:

www.riponmht.org

Photo: Tony Douglas in the Falklands

29/11/2025

In August 1943 the artists stationed at the School of Military Engineering (SME) put on an exhibition at Ripon Town Hall. All proceeds went to the British Red Cross and the exhibitors were all members of H.M. Forces. The SME was fortunate to have a number of professional artists including Dennis Flanders who specialised in architectural drawings. We are thrilled to have acquired a drawing of Ripon Market Square made by Dennis Flanders in April 1943. The Trust would love to know more about the artists at the SME during WW2 - please get in touch if you have any more information.

09/11/2025

"We Will Remember Them"

IWM. Artist, J. Lavery c.1919 - a view of an informal cemetery at Étaples, France, tended by the female staff of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission working in their brown uniforms.

07/11/2025

We have always known that there was a 'Canadian Connection' to Ripon in WW2, with many Canadian Royal Engineers attending courses throughout the war at the School of Military Engineering. Recently we were thrilled to be contacted by a Canadian lady researching her father's military record who had several references to his training in Ripon. Together we are uncovering an amazing story and much more information about this transatlantic link. If anyone has any information or photos connected to this we would love to hear from you.

Photo: IWM - Royal Visit to 2nd Canadian Div. Canadian Royal Engineers, 27 March 1941 (Nr. Aldershot)

HERITAGE WORTH FIGHTING FOR!!

20/09/2025

We have been continuing with our research over the summer and have started to look at some of the areas on the edge of the City: Ripon Parks/Ure Bank and Quarry Moor. Both have strong links to the military heritage with Ripon Parks/Ure Bank being used by 'Territorial' forces during the 1920s and Quarry Moor by the School of Military Engineering (SME) during WW2. If anyone has any information about either site we would love to hear from you!

Photo 1: Ure Bank - Territorial Camp 1927, including a lovely view of the end of the old Bathing Pavilion, now demolished
Photo 2: Quarry Moor - 1947 SME Open Day 1947

Address

30 Market Place West
Ripon
HG41BN

Website

http://riponmht.org/

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