Denbury Camp, Denbury, near Newton Abbot was built on a former aerodrome. Building commenced in May 1939 and was completed on the 15th August 1939. The first soldiers to be based there were members of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and they marched into the newly christened Rawlinson Barracks and 19 days later war was declared.

Sometime in 1942, the first of the 35,000 American troops found a home here. Denbury became a hospital and rest centre for the injured troops engaged in the invasion of Europe.

1945 brought victory and the hospital wards changed to classrooms for 650 WRAC being trained to work with the Royal Signals but they stayed for only a short period. They were followed by a contingent of Polish soldiers who earned a high reputation locally and made a significant contribution to the community by clearing Dartmoor of live ammunition before they departed.

In 1947 it was discovered that the RASC required a site, and Denbury was allocated. Five years elapsed, then the RASC rolled out, quickly followed by the Depot Regiment of the Royal Signals. It became a vast transit camp of wild men, who will long be remembered by the populace of the neighbouring towns.

With the arrival of the 6th Boys Training Regiment from Beverly in 1955 came a new spirit and a new lease of life for Rawlinson Barracks. They were re-titled Junior Leaders Regiment, Royal Corps Signals in April 1957 and in 1959 the barracks changed its name to Denbury Camp. This continued right up until 10th August1967 when it was finally disbanded and became HMP Channings Wood.