The volunteer battalion of the East Surrey Regiment acquired a leasehold interest over a property known as Gothic Villa on St John's Hill in 1882.

[2] Lord Wandsworth funded the acquisition of a freehold interest in the site in 1897.

[1] A drill hall, designed by B. T. L. Thomson, was added at the back of the property around that time and a three storey castellated building, designed by H. Wakeford & Sons, was added at the front of the property in 1902.

[1] The battalion evolved further to become the 23rd (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment in 1908[3] and was mobilised at the drill hall in August 1914 before being deployed to the Western Front.

[2] The drill hall went on to become battalion headquarters for the 8th (Volunteer) Battalion, the Queen's Fusiliers (City of London) in 1988 and regimental headquarters for the London Regiment in 1993.