A crowdfunding campaign is set to be launched in the hope of transforming an historic military building into an educational centre.

The Shorncliffe Trust wants to renovate and restore the Sir John Moore Memorial Hall and Library on what was once Somerset Barracks at Shorncliffe Garrison army camp in Folkestone.

Constructed in 1916, during the First World War, the building was intended as a place of recreation and learning for the men based at the garrison.

It was designed by prominent architect Sir Aston Webb, who was responsible for the design of the principal facade of Buckingham Palace, Admiralty Arch and many other significant buildings in London and beyond.

The crowdfunding push will be officially launched on January 16, the same day on which a service of commemoration will be staged at the memorial to Moore on Sandgate Esplanade.

A spokesman for the Shorncliffe Trust said: "The Grade II listed Sir John Moore Library remains the object of our aspiration, with its unique stained glass windows and statue of Sir John Moore.

"It will provide the perfect place from which to retell the story of three centuries of Shorncliffe's history.

"We welcome your support if you are able to play a supporting role in our fundraising and restoration programme."

Listed on the National Heritage List for England, the library forms a group with the listed statue of Sir John Moore which is located immediately to the south.

The Shorncliffe Trust, a registered charity set up in 2006 with the aim of preserving and developing features of historic interest at the base, hopes that if enough money is raised it will be in a a position to make the library the centre piece of educational visits to the site.

Who was Sir John Moore?

Most famous for his leadership during the Battle of Corunna, where he was killed in 1809 at the age of 47, Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore was an army reformer who brought in the first light infantry regiments.

Born in Glasgow in 1761, he was commissioned into the Army in 1776 and saw service in the American War of Independence before returning home and serving for six years as a Member of Parliament.

Later he served in Ireland and Egypt, but he was eventually to be sent to the Kent coast with the responsibility of organising defences against the growing threat of French invasion.

It was on his initiative that the iconic Martello Towers were constructed and the Royal Military Canal was dug, leaving an enduring legacy on the coast of Folkestone, Hythe and Romney Marsh.

During this period he set up a training camp at Shorncliffe where light infantry tactics were taught to selected units which later formed the famous Light Division.

Commanding the British Army in Portugal during the Peninsular War against the French, Moore led his men on the retreat to the port of Corunna in the face of 200,000 of Napoleon's men.

Although his troops were able to embark for the journey back to England, Moore was mortally wounded by cannon shot.

Such was the admiration of his adversaries, his French counterpart Marshal Soult ordered a memorial erected in his honour.

Napoleon is recorded as saying: "His talents and firmness alone saved the British army [in Spain] from destruction, he was a brave soldier, an excellent officer, and a man of talent."