Beatty Street Drill Hall | |
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General information | |
Type | Drill Hall / armoury |
Address | 620 Beatty Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 2L9 |
Current tenants | The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) |
Inaugurated | 30 September 1901 |
Owner | Canadian Forces |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | T.W. Fuller |
Designations | Recognized Federal Heritage Building [1] |
The Beatty Street Drill Hall is a Canadian Forces armoury located at 620 Beatty Street in Vancouver, British Columbia. It is the home of The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own), an armoured reconnaissance reserve regiment, the oldest military unit in Vancouver, and the most senior militia in the province.
The building was designed by architect T.W. Fuller and opened on 30 September 1901 by the Duke of Cornwall (later King George V). With two large castle-like turrets complete with battlements, and two tanks and a 64-pounder gun alongside the large white structure, Beatty Street Drill Hall has long been a Vancouver landmark and is listed as a class-A heritage building. [2] [3] The walls are three and a half feet thick, and the building rests on huge granite blocks. Limestone from Gabriola Island was used for the parapet and it features a rusticated stone trim. [4]
The Drill Hall includes a parade square, offices, and store rooms. It formerly contained a firing range and bowling alley. [5] Originally, the Cambie Street Grounds, now a parking lot across the street, was also used as part of the regiment's training facilities.
A stone cairn was dedicated to the local war dead of the First and Second World Wars and the local veterans of the Korean War and peacekeeping. Presented by the grateful Dutch Canadians of Vancouver in 1970, a copper plaque is dedicated to the memory of the B.C. Regiment who helped liberate Holland in the 1944 - 1945 campaign. [6] A wooden Celtic cross was dedicated to the officers, NCO's and men who fell at Vimy Ridge. [7] A plaque was erected by their fellow officers and men in honour of the men of the 28th Canadian Armoured Regiment [8] who died while serving in the Second World War. [9] A plaque is dedicated to members of the 6th Regiment Duke of Connaught's Own Rifles who lost their lives in South African War of 1899 - 1902. [10] A plaque was dedicated to Lt. Colonel George McSpadden and the fallen heroes of the 11th Regiment Irish Fusiliers of Canada. [11] A plaque was dedicated 17 October 1994 to commemorate the affiliation of HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) and the B.C. Regiment. [12]
The Regimental Museum of the BC Regiment (DCO) is housed in the Beatty Street Drill Hall, Metro Vancouver. Military displays date back to 1883, including uniforms, weapons, medals, Nazi regalia, and a large collection of photographs documenting the history and artifacts of The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) and the Beatty Street Drill Hall. The museum was established in 1982 and is open to the public Wednesdays. [13] In addition to the BC Regiment (DCO), the 2290 British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) Cadet Corps also parades at the armoury. [14]
The Governor General's Foot Guards (GGFG) is the senior reserve infantry regiment in the Canadian Army. Located in Ottawa at the Cartier Square Drill Hall, the regiment is a Primary Reserve infantry unit, and the members are part-time soldiers.
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The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own) is a Primary Reserve armoured reconnaissance (recce) regiment of the Canadian Army; the regiment is subordinate to 39 Canadian Brigade Group of the 3rd Canadian Division. Established in 1883, it is the oldest military unit in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It parades at the Beatty Street Drill Hall at the corner of Dunsmuir and Beatty in Downtown Vancouver. The regiment has been variously designated as garrison artillery, rifles, infantry, and armoured, but has been reconnaissance since 1965. It has received 41 battle honours in its history, and has been a unit of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps since 1942.
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The Seaforth Armoury is a Canadian Forces armoury located at 1650 Burrard Street in Vancouver, British Columbia. It is the home of The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, a Primary Reserve Infantry unit. The building was designed by the architectural firm of McCarter and Nairne, and is now listed as a Class A Heritage Building.
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The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to British Columbia:
Wait for Me, Daddy is a photo taken by Claude P. Dettloff on October 1, 1940, of The British Columbia Regiment marching down Eighth Street at the Columbia Street intersection, New Westminster, British Columbia. While Dettloff was taking the photo, Warren "Whitey" Bernard ran away from his mother to his father, Private Jack Bernard. The picture received extensive exposure and was used in war-bond drives.
12 (Vancouver) Service Company is a Canadian Army Primary Reserve combat service support subunit of the Canadian Forces that can fight in a defensive role and provides logistical support to the units within 3rd Canadian Division's 39 Canadian Brigade Group, which consists of all Primary Reserve units in British Columbia.
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The Castle Armoury is a military installation in Bury, Greater Manchester, England.
The British Columbia Regiment Band is one of many Canadian military bands in the Canadian province of British Columbia, serving as the official that serves as the official regimental band of The British Columbia Regiment, based out of Beatty Street Drill Hall in Vancouver. It is a voluntary band, which means that its band members are not composed of full-time professional musicians. The band currently provides musical support for the community in the Greater Vancouver metropolitan area.