The building was designed as the base for the Westmorland-based companies (F and G Companies) of the 1st Volunteer Battalion, The Border Regiment and was built in the late 19th century.[1] These companies became part of the 4th (Cumberland and Westmorland) Battalion, The Border Regiment in 1908.[2] The companies were mobilised at the drill hall in August 1914 before being deployed to India.[3][4] A Squadron, Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry and the 3rd West Lancashire Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps were also based at the drill hall.[1]
After the Strand Road drill hall in Carlisle closed, the Queen Katherine Street drill hall became the headquarters for the whole battalion.[2] The presence at the drill was reduced to a single company, D (The Westmorland) Company, 4th (Territorial) Battalion, The Border Regiment in 1967.[5] This unit evolved to become B (4th Border Regiment) Company, Northumbrian Volunteers in 1971,[5] C Company, 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, The King's Own Royal Border Regiment in 1975[5] and B Company, 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, The King's Own Royal Border Regiment in 1988.[6] The presence at the drill was further reduced to a mortar platoon in 1992 and ceased altogether in 1999.[6]
