In 1972, the garrison was the site of one of the worst UK mainland IRA attacks of the time when a car bomb was detonated outside the headquarters mess of 16 Parachute Brigade, killing seven and injuring nineteen.

The Official IRA claimed responsibility, stating that the attack was in revenge for the shootings in Derry that came to be known as Bloody Sunday.

[1] Before the establishment of the 'Camp at Aldershot', the British Army did not have any single permanent camp for training troops on a large scale.

Historically, troops had been stationed in long established garrisons, many of which could trace their histories back as mediaeval, or earlier, defensive positions.

In 1852, following the death of The Iron Duke, a group of reformers, which included Prince Albert, forged an alliance that would seek to improve the training of the Army.

[2] In 1853, a summer camp was established at Chobham Common and two divisional size military exercises were conducted.

Initially, Reigate was selected as a location that was strategically sound, and close enough to London, to defend against invasion from across the English Channel.

Despite its obvious advantages, Reigate was situated in prime agricultural land that would prove too expensive to purchase.

Lord Hardinge suggested Aldershot Heath as the location for the new training area, as land was less expensive, but still close enough to the South Coast to defend London.

[2] In January 1854, the British Government's War Department purchased areas of heathland around the small village of Aldershot at £12 an acre.

[4] Queen Victoria and Prince Albert showed a keen interest in the establishment and the development of Aldershot as a garrison town.

Major-General Sir Evelyn Wood had recently been appointed General Officer Commanding at Aldershot and was keen to push forward the building of the new accommodation.

Wood advocated that the new barracks should all be named to commemorate famous British victories; initially this proposal met with some resistance, but was eventually adopted.

Today, the garrison is home to the headquarters of the Regional Command of the British Army, and is also the administrative base for 101st Operational Sustainment Brigade.

[17] Following Aldershot's establishment as a large permanent training camp in the 1850s, the military presence continued to grow.

The Victorian buildings were largely demolished in 1958, and then rebuilt with more modern facilities, although the original officers' mess survives.

This consists of around 3,900 resident soldiers, some 1,000 transient military personnel on courses or sport, 770 MoD Civil Servants and some 5,000 service dependents.