Burnham Military Camp facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Burnham Camp
Burnham, New Zealand
All Saints' Garrison Church
Coordinates	ACoordinates: Unknown argument format
Type	Army Camp
Area	1.49 km2 (0.58 sq mi)
Site information
Owner	New Zealand Defence Force
Controlled by	New Zealand Army
Site history
In use	1921–present
Garrison information
Garrison	New Zealand Army

Burnham, also known as Burnham Camp, is the biggest army base in New Zealand's South Island. It is located about 28 kilometres south of Christchurch. You can find it on the flat Canterbury Plains in the Selwyn District, near the town of Dunsandel.

Burnham Camp got its name from a place called Burnham Beeches in England. This camp has been an important place for the New Zealand Army for many years. It has changed its main command groups several times. Today, it is home to the Deployable Joint Task Force Headquarters - Land (DJTFHQ-L).

What is Burnham Camp Like?

Burnham Camp is a small community that covers about 1.49 square kilometres. It is home to around 1,100 people, many of whom are soldiers and their families. The camp is a busy place where soldiers live, train, and work.

Army Teams at Burnham Camp

Burnham Camp is home to many different army teams, called "units." These units have special jobs to help the New Zealand Army.

1st (New Zealand) Brigade

The 1st (New Zealand) Brigade is a large group of army units. It includes different types of teams that work together.

Combat Units

These units are the main fighting teams.

• 2/1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment
  • Alpha Company
  • Bravo Company
  • Charlie Company
  • Delta Company
  • Support Company
  • Depot Company
  • Combat Service Support Company

Combat Support Units

These units help the combat teams in battle.

• 2nd Engineer Regiment, which includes:
  • 3rd Field Squadron (engineers who build and fix things)
  • 3 Emergency Response Troop (helps in emergencies)
• 1st New Zealand Signal Regiment, which includes:
  • 3rd Signal Squadron (Electronic Warfare) (deals with electronic communications)
  • 4th Signal Squadron (handles communications)
  • 25 Cypher Section (works with secret codes)

Combat Service Support Units

These units provide important services to the soldiers.

• 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion (Burnham Military Camp), which includes:
  • 3rd Transport Company (moves supplies and people)
  • 3rd Catering & Supply Company (provides food and other supplies)
  • 3rd Workshop Company (repairs equipment)

New Zealand Defence College

This college is where soldiers, sailors, and air force personnel get special training.

• Defence Health School (NZ)
• Defence Learning Centre

Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command

This group is in charge of how the army trains its soldiers.

• Army Adventure Training Centre (where soldiers learn outdoor skills)
• 3 Regional Training Wing (helps with local training)

Lockheed Martin New Zealand

This company helps the New Zealand Defence Force with important tasks. They manage and repair army vehicles and equipment.

• Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul team
• Managed Fleet Utilisation team

Other Important Teams

• New Zealand Army Band: The army's musical group.
• Youth Development Unit (YDU): Helps young people develop skills.
• Services Correctional Establishment (SCE): A military prison.
• Joint Military Police Unit: The army's police force.
• Joint Logistic Support Agency service centre: Helps manage supplies.
• Human Resources service centre: Deals with army personnel.

Training for Medics

Burnham Camp is where all medics for the entire NZDF (New Zealand Defence Force) are trained. This includes medics for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Their training program lasts about two and a half years. After training, medics go to different camps or bases.

Cadet Forces

Burnham Camp is also the main base for the Southern part of the New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF). These groups are for young people who are interested in the military. They include:

• New Zealand Air Training Corps (like the Air Force)
• New Zealand Cadet Corps (like the Army)
• New Zealand Sea Cadet Corps (like the Navy)

Soldier Homes (Barracks)

The buildings where soldiers live at Burnham Camp are called barracks. They are named after important battles, campaigns, and places where New Zealand troops have served around the world.

Borneo Barracks

Named after the conflict in Borneo (1963–1966). New Zealand soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment and the New Zealand Special Air Service fought there.

Cambrai Barracks

Named after the Battle of Cambrai (1917) in 1917. This battle was important because it was the first time many tanks were used together.

Chunuk Bair Barracks

Named after the Battle of Chunuk Bair in August 1915. During this battle, New Zealand soldiers captured a high point on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

Dieppe Barracks

Named after the base in Singapore where the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment was stationed from 1971 to 1980.

Faenza Barracks

Named after the Italian city of Faenza. The 2nd New Zealand Division helped free this city in December 1944 during World War II.

Gallipoli Barracks

Named after the Gallipoli campaign. This was the New Zealand Army's first major campaign in the First World War.

Ipoh Barracks

Named after a town in Malaysia. The 1st Battalion of the New Zealand Regiment was based there from 1958 to 1959 during the Malayan Emergency.

Nee Soon Barracks

Named after another base in Singapore. The 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment was stationed there from 1969 to 1971.

Nui Dat Barracks

Named after the main base for Australian and New Zealand forces in Vietnam from 1965 to 1971. New Zealand sent rifle companies, artillery, and special forces there.

Quinns Post Barracks

Named after Quinn's Post. This was a very important strongpoint for New Zealand and Australian soldiers during the Gallipoli campaign.

Sangro Barracks

Named after the Sangro River crossing in Italy in November 1943. This was a tough start to the Italian campaign (World War II) for the 2nd New Zealand Division.

Sari Bair Barracks

Named after a group of hills near ANZAC Cove and Suvla Bay during the Gallipoli campaign.

Suvla Barracks

Named after Suvla Bay on the Gallipoli peninsula. This bay was an important landing spot for Allied forces.

Taiping Barracks

Named after a town in Malaysia. Two New Zealand Battalions were based there in the late 1950s during the Malayan Emergency.

Terendak Barracks

Named after Terendak Camp, a special army camp in Malaysia. The New Zealand Army lived there from 1960 to 1969.

Tobruk Barracks

Named after the city of Tobruk in Libya. The 2nd New Zealand Division helped free this city in November 1941 during World War II.

Tui Barracks

Named after the New Zealand Women's War Service Auxiliary. These women helped New Zealand troops in Egypt during World War II and were unofficially called the "Tuis."

Education at Burnham

Burnham Camp has its own school, Burnham School. It is a primary school for students from Year 1 to Year 8. The school has been helping educate children since at least 1891.