Celebrating Lancer Barracks Bicentenary | Parramatta History and Heritage

Council celebrates the Bicentenary of Parramatta’s Lancer Barracks

- the oldest military barracks in mainland Australia.

The City of Parramatta pays tribute to the Lancer Barracks legacy and the invaluable role it has played in the past, and continues to play today. To commemorate this 200^th anniversary, City of Parramatta is hosting this Online Experience.

Council and Macquarie University Archaeological students have collaborated on an initiative to create 3D images of Council’s collection of artefacts that were uncovered from a dig at the Lancer Barracks.

In addition to the online content, a display acknowledging the 200th anniversary will be in place at the Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre for you to explore, from 16 to 30 November. The Lancer Barracks site was laid out in November 1817 and the buildings were largely constructed in 1819, and then completed in 1820. The Barracks and surrounding buildings provide historical context not only for the development of an army establishment, but they are also significant as the centre of Parramatta’s military history. Click here to book through the Lancer Barracks Museum.

The Lancer Barracks were established by the orders of Governor Macquarie in 1820, and were designed by Lieutenant John Watts of the 46^th Regiment, they are some of the last surviving structures of the Macquarie period in New South Wales.

On display at the Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre, this flag was gifted to Parramatta City Council in appreciation of the continued support given to 1st 15th Royal New South Wales Lancers. It was originally presented by Mayor Alderman A.R.C Thomas, on behalf of the City of Parramatta, on 06 March 1960 to the Regiment to commemorate the granting of the 'Right of Freedom of Entry' in 1959. A new flag was presented to 1st 15th RNSWL 19 August 2014.

See our stories below

3D scanning initiative - Lancer Barracks archaeological artefacts

3D scanning initiative - Lancer Barracks archaeological artefacts Council and Macquarie University archaeological stu...

Lancer Barracks Parramatta - significance

Our banner image: It was the open day in the Barracks after the 2014 street parade, taking the entire history of the Reg...

Grant of 'The Freedom of Entry' to Royal New South Wales Lancers

The Freedom of Entry ritual dates back to medieval Britain (c.480-1500AD) when groups of armed soldiers seeking entry to...

Lancer - Corp Frederick Isaac Kilpatrick

Fred Isaac Kilpatrick was born in 1873 in Adelong, New South Wales. In 1884, his family moved to Leichhardt, Sydney wher...

Charles Frederick Cox – World War One

Charles Frederick Cox, was 51 when he enlisted 15 September 1914. At this time he resided at 26 Croydon Road Croydon. He...

World War Two – Parramatta Soldier – Richard Andrew Phipps Waugh

Major Richard Andrew Phipps Waugh was born on the 11 April 1876, and attended the King’s School Parramatta where he was ...

World War One – Parramatta Soldiers – Ormond Julian Lake

Ormond Julian Lake was born in 1899 in Bega, New South Wales to Quartermaster Sergeant Arthur Lake of the Parramatta Squ...

World War One – Parramatta Soldiers – Arthur James Mills

Arthur James Mills was a 31 year old dentist when he enlisted on the 18 December 1914.While he lived with his wife Flo...

If Ben marched too: The story of Corporal Harkus, Parramatta Lancer

The Parramatta Lancers in front of Lancer Barracks, 1899. Source: Lancer Barracks Museum On 4 April 1900, as Corporal...

Boer War Memorial, Parramatta Park, 1904, by W. Hanson

The Memorial to Parramatta’s involvement in the South African Boer War was unveiled 30 April 1904, by the Colonel James ...

World War One – Battle of Beersheba

The Battle of Beersheba is one of the most notable mounted charges by the Australian Light Horse Regiments. On 31 Octobe...

1st/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum

Within the hub of Parramatta City, on the site of the Royal New South Wales Lancer (RNSWL) Barracks, is situated an allu...

Lancer Barracks – timeline of the site

Adapted from Plan of the Military Barracks Parramatta c1820 Mitchell Library Bonwick Transcripts Box 36, Plan 9 1799&...

Lancer Barracks photographic journey

Lancer Barracks c. 1950 - 70. City of Parramatta Local Studies Collection. LSP01041 A Lancer with his horse c. 1900 - City of Parramatta Local Studies Collection. LSP01016

A Lancer with his horse c. 1900 - City of Parramatta Local Studies Collection. LSP01016 Adapted from Plan of the Military Barracks Parramatta C1820 Mitchell Library Bonwick Transcripts Box 36, Plan 9)

Adapted from Plan of the Military Barracks Parramatta C1820 Mitchell Library Bonwick Transcripts Box 36, Plan 9) ACE Matilda tank - Lancers Memorial Museum

ACE Matilda tank - Lancers Memorial Museum Lancer Barracks c. 1985 - City of Parramatta Local Studies Collection. LSP00926

Lancer Barracks c. 1985 - City of Parramatta Local Studies Collection. LSP00926 Lancer Barracks c. 1950-70 - Parramatta Local Studies Collection. LSP00961

Lancer Barracks c. 1950-70 - Parramatta Local Studies Collection. LSP00961 Lancer Barracks c. 1970-80 - Parramatta Community Archives. ACC002_074_069

Lancer Barracks c. 1970-80 - Parramatta Community Archives. ACC002_074_069 Lancer Barracks c. 1980 - Parramatta Local Studies Collection. LSP00184

Lancer Barracks c. 1980 - Parramatta Local Studies Collection. LSP00184 Lancer Barracks and grounds. The Royal NSW Lancers website

Lancer Barracks and grounds. The Royal NSW Lancers website Lancer Barracks date unknown.

Lancer Barracks date unknown. Lancer Barracks date unkown - City of Parramatta Local Studies Collection. LSP00894

Lancer Barracks date unkown - City of Parramatta Local Studies Collection. LSP00894 Lancer Barracks date unknown - City of Parramatta Local Studies Collection. LSP01017

Lancer Barracks date unknown - City of Parramatta Local Studies Collection. LSP01017 Bren Gun Carrier - Royal NSW Lancers Memorial Museum

Bren Gun Carrier - Royal NSW Lancers Memorial Museum Emergency rations tin - Royal NSW Lancers Memorial Museum

Emergency rations tin - Royal NSW Lancers Memorial Museum Royal New South Wales Lancers Freedom of Entry Parade Program 1959 (cover) - City of Parramatta Council Archives

Royal New South Wales Lancers Freedom of Entry Parade Program 1959 (cover) - City of Parramatta Council Archives

Royal New South Wales Lancers Freedom of Entry Parade Program 1959 (Introduction) - City of Parramatta Council Archives

Royal New South Wales Lancers Freedom of Entry Parade Program 1959 - City of Parramatta Council Archives Memorial to NSW Lancers lost in the South African War 1899 to 1900

Memorial to NSW Lancers lost in the South African War 1899 to 1900 Memorial to 1st Light Horse Regiment lost during World War I

Memorial to 1st Light Horse Regiment lost during World War I Lancers slouch with cockscomb - City of Parramatta. Photographer Paolo Busato

Lancers slouch with cockscomb - City of Parramatta. Photographer Paolo Busato Lancers in Capetown 1899 - City of Parramatta. Photographer Paolo Busato

Lancers in Capetown 1899 - City of Parramatta. Photographer Paolo Busato Lancer Barracks date unknown

Lancer Barracks date unknown Major G Lee's diary with Banjo Patterson poetry. Royal NSW Lancers Memorial Museum

Major G Lee's diary with Banjo Patterson poetry. Royal NSW Lancers Memorial Museum

Major G Lee's diary with Banjo Patterson poetry. Royal NSW Lancers Memorial Museum Barracks East and West Elevations

Barracks East and West Elevations Barracks North and South Elevations

Barracks North and South Elevations Postcard 'The Lost Legion at Hann Munden German POW camp

Postcard 'The Lost Legion at Hann Munden German POW camp A glimpse inside the Lancer Barracks Museum - home to an extraordinary collection of RNSWL memorabilia.

A glimpse inside the Lancer Barracks Museum - home to an extraordinary collection of RNSWL memorabilia.