The house was built in Queen Anne revival style as the garrison commander's house in 1883.[1] A military horse cemetery was created in the grounds of the house in the late 1880s.[2] Most of the house was destroyed in a serious fire in January 1903, but there were no casualties and soldiers from nearby barracks managed to salvage much of the furniture and valuables.[3] The new house was remodelled internally and it became the garrison officers' mess.[4] In May 1904, shortly after the house re-opened, Lieutenant GeneralSir John French, Commanding the Troops at Aldershot, hosted a visit by the Prince and Princess of Wales there[5] and in July 1914 Lieutenant General Sir Douglas Haig, Commander-in-Chief Aldershot Command, was waiting anxiously inside the house when he heard that the First World War had broken out.[6]
In the 1920s and 1930s searchlightmilitary tattoos were held in the grounds of Government House.[7] The house was designated as Grade II listed in 2002.[1] The building was again extensively refurbished in 2012 by Rydon[8] and the Queen's Dining Room continues to be used to entertain important visitors to the garrison.[4] The stables at the house will be converted for use as accommodation as part of the Army 2020 plan.[9]
