Annotation:Sunderland Barracks
SUNDERLAND BARRACKS. English, Reel (cut time). G Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AAB. Sunderland Barracks was in Hendon, County Durham. A military presence at the location dates from the early 18th century, but it was not until the wars with France late in the century that a permanent barracks was established. Designed by Thomas Neill, the timber barracks were completed in 1794, but in 1826-1828 the soldiers' quarters were rebuilt using brick construction. They included accommodation for 1,528 infantry troops and, from 1803, an 80-bed hospital. When, in 1873, recruiting became based on counties under the Cardwell Reforms, the barracks became the depot for the 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot and the 106th Regiment of Foot (Bombay Light Infantry).
In the John Rook music manuscript (Cumbria, 1840) the melody is set in the key of ‘D’.
