No trace survives today of Blatchington barracks. Built in 1794 to defend Seaford bay, which over the centuries had regularly been the scene of French landings.
The most famous garrison were the Rifle Corps, the greenjackets bought to fame in the Sharpe books. The green uniforms were far less conspicuous than the standard red, which suited the role the rifles were intended for. They were equipped with the Baker rifle, which had 3 or 4 times the effective range of the standard Brown bess muskets. The rifles were trained to operate in pairs ahead of the main force, picking off high value targets and slowing down the advancing enemy.
Blatchington was where in 1800 the Rifles were gazetted or officially became part of the army. Col. Coote Manningham and his second in command Lt. Col. William Stewart were very enlightened men. They encouraged independence, initiative and mutual respect. "Abuse, bad language or blows being positively forbidden in the regiment."
They also provided a library and educational classes for the rank and file, in a time when this was education was the preserve of the wealthy.
This resulted in what was the best infantry unit in the napoleonic wars.