"The Barracks" near Parkend (General)

by Jefff , West London, Middlesex, Monday, September 12, 2011, 17:45 (4828 days ago)

Following the Prior thread about Parkend area I have a further question which I cannot find answered by searching the Forum etc.
http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?mode=thread&id=33671#p33704

What's the origin of the row of houses called the Barracks, and why were they named so ?.

When cycling past I've always thought they seemed an attractive wellbuilt row of terraced houses (not one large barracks block?) but I never stopped to study them so I could easily be wrong in this assumption.

I'd always thought "Barracks" an Army term, indeed apparently the word derives form the Spanish word for a temporary shelter erected by soldiers on campaign, "barraca", perhaps another "English" word borrowed after the Pensinsula Wars.
Additionally I see there was a pit very nearby(I think?) called "Aimwell"
http://www.lightmoor.co.uk/forestcoal/CoalAimwell.html

This seems unusual for a pit name, perhaps the names' origins are military, maybe the area was previously used as a shooting (archery?) range ??. Maybe it's linked to 1278, and the first record of a hunting enclosure called ‘Wistemede’ - later known as Whitemead Park; from which Parkend derived its name. Probably wishfull thinking ?!.

Now I'm learning so much more about my home area's history via this wonderfull site I now doubt they were built for military purposes. On the website for the Slate Industry of Wales I've found a reference to the word "Barracks" being "Accommodation block used by quarrymen during the week". This seems to make more sense, were they built as worker's housing in the days that Parkend was a real hive of industry ?. (Something that amazed me to find out despite living in the Forest the first 25 years of my life).
I know that shanty towns of temporary cabins etc were erected around the UK to house the "armies" of canal & railway navvies in the old days, but these are clearly a cut above that and for a much smaller and perhaps more elite group of workers ? Unlike the navvies this group were staying for much longer so needed more permanent housing.

The 1831 OS Map I referenced in the above thread doesn't show the Barracks, or Fancy Pit which was sunk around 1852, so logically I guess they were built to serve it ?.
Perhaps someone has a later Victorian Map that can help date when they were built ?

Please does anyone know when they were built (I suspect they may be inscribed above the front doors ?), and by who and why ?.
All thoughts very welcome, please.